Christ in the Final Week
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reflects on the feelings of the Lord Christ during the final week of His life on earth, explaining how His concern was completely focused on the salvation of others, strengthening His disciples, and building the Church, not on His personal sufferings.
Spiritual and Educational Dimension
In this decisive week, Christ appears as the perfect example of complete love and total self-giving. While facing the cross and suffering, His heart was with His disciples and with all humanity, supporting the weak, encouraging the fearful, and preparing the way for a new covenant.
Main Reflections
- Concern for Others: Christ was not occupied with Himself, but focused on the salvation of people through the cross and on establishing the faith of the disciples who would carry the Gospel message to the whole world.
- Strengthening Faith through Miracles: He performed great miracles before the cross, such as healing the man born blind and raising Lazarus, to support the disciples’ faith during the time of trial.
- Practical Teaching of Love: He washed the feet of His disciples and gave them the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to grant them spiritual strength to endure the sufferings of the cross.
- Honesty with Consolation: He did not hide the cross or persecution from them, but always connected suffering with the resurrection and the coming joy.
- Promise of the Holy Spirit: He assured them that He would not leave them as orphans, but would send the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide them.
- Removing the Old and Preparing the New: He rebuked the corrupt religious leaders and cleansed the temple, preparing the way for the Church of the New Covenant that would spread throughout the world.
- Forgiving Love on the Cross: Despite betrayal, denial, and abandonment, His first words on the cross were a prayer of forgiveness, revealing an indescribable love.
- A Call to Reflection: This week invites us to live the Passion of Christ spiritually and to learn from Him self-giving, forgiveness, and care for others.
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