Meditations on Holy Week

The Main Idea of the Lecture

The lecture revolves around meditating on the sufferings of the Lord Christ during Holy Week, and explaining the importance and benefit of suffering in spiritual life. Suffering is not evil in itself, but it can become a blessing and a path to glory if it is taken in a faithful spirit. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III affirms that Christ sanctified suffering through His own sufferings and made it a means of salvation and blessing for humanity.

First: The Importance and Benefit of Suffering

Suffering entered the world because of sin, but it was sanctified by the sufferings of the Lord Christ. Scripture says that if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him. Suffering reveals spiritual illness just as physical pain reveals bodily illness, and it becomes a means of repentance and returning to God. Therefore, holy sorrow and weeping over sin lead to deep spiritual consolation.

 Second: Suffering as a Means of Correction and Discipline

Suffering can sometimes be a beneficial rebuke or discipline that leads a person to repentance and correction. Escaping from suffering may mean escaping from self-examination and reform. But enduring it in a spiritual way leads to spiritual maturity, humility, and patience.

Third: Christ’s Sufferings for Our Sake

The Lord Christ suffered by His complete will and delivered Himself to death out of love for humanity. He did not defend Himself before accusations and did not use His power, but endured injustice, shame, and reproach for our salvation. He bore severe physical sufferings as well as psychological pains from betrayal, rejection, and mockery.

Fourth: His Sufferings as a Declaration of Love and Self-Emptying

Christ’s sufferings are the greatest declaration of divine love, as He gave Himself for us while we were still sinners. They are also the peak of humility and self-emptying, as He was counted among the transgressors and became a curse for the salvation of mankind. On the cross, divine justice and divine love met together.

Fifth: Strength in Suffering

Christ’s sufferings were not weakness, but great redemptive power. By death He abolished death and crushed the head of the serpent, restoring His kingdom. Therefore, we say to Him in the Pascha praises: Yours is the power and the glory. He reigned on the wood of the cross and manifested His glory through endurance.

Sixth: A Call to Spiritual Participation

Holy Week is the week of divine love, and it is an opportunity to share spiritually in Christ’s sufferings, to endure our pains with patience, forgive those who hurt us, and pray for them as He prayed: “Father, forgive them.” Thus suffering becomes a path to glory and resurrection.

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