The Spirituality of the Holy Fifty Days

The lecture speaks about the spiritual life that the believer should live during the Holy Fifty Days, which are the days following the Glorious Feast of the Resurrection. This period is a time of deep spiritual joy because of the Resurrection of Christ, but it is not merely external joy; rather it is a call to enter a deeper spiritual life based on rejoicing in God, living in the matters of the Kingdom of God, and preparing for spiritual service.

True Joy in the Lord

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the joy of these days is not worldly or physical joy such as joy in food or the absence of fasting. Instead, it is joy in being with God.
This joy comes from a personal relationship with the Lord, remembering His goodness throughout one’s life, and feeling His constant presence with us. Therefore, the believer is called to rejoice in God, in His work in life, and in faith in Him.

Living in the Matters of the Kingdom of God

During the forty days after the Resurrection, Christ spoke with His disciples about the matters concerning the Kingdom of God. Therefore, the believer is encouraged to live in these matters such as:

• True faith in which a person feels the presence of God everywhere.
• Continuous repentance, because entering the Kingdom cannot happen without repentance.
• The fellowship of the Holy Spirit and cooperating with Him in the spiritual life.
• Practicing the Church sacraments, which grant forgiveness and stability in God.

Spiritual Resurrection

The resurrection is not only the resurrection of the body in the last day, but it also refers to spiritual resurrection.
A person rises from his falls and sins through repentance, as the Scripture says that a person may fall but rises again. Thus the resurrection becomes a call for the person to rise from weaknesses and begin a new life with God.

Preparation for Service

The forty days after the Resurrection were also a period of preparation for the disciples for service.
Christ removed fear from their hearts and gave them strength to witness for Him before everyone. Therefore the believer is called to prepare for service as well, whether in the Church, inside the family, or among friends, through teaching, witnessing for Christ, and good example.

Spiritual Means During This Period

Even though there is no fasting or prostrations during these days, there are many spiritual practices that the believer can live such as:

• Prayer and psalms.
• Spiritual reading.
• Meditation on the Holy Bible.
• Short repeated prayers throughout the day.

Self-Control

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III points out that the absence of fasting does not mean carelessness in eating or in life. Self-control must still remain. Rejoicing in the Resurrection of Christ should be a spiritual joy that leads the person to a balanced and holy life.

The Spiritual Message

The Holy Fifty Days are a great spiritual opportunity in which the believer lives the joy of the Resurrection, experiences the presence of God in life, prepares for service, and grows in faith and repentance in order to live the life of spiritual resurrection with Christ.

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