Pope Shenouda III reflects on the apostle’s words: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,” explaining that true worship is not merely physical or ritual practice, but worship in which the mind, heart, and thoughts participate. A person should understand what he says in his prayers and liturgy and meditate upon it, so that his mind and heart become attached to God. He emphasizes that worship should be pleasing to God, rather than merely being worship that pleases the person himself or aims at pleasing people. He also explains that the believer is called to live in the world without conforming to it or becoming immersed in its ways and principles that lead him away from God.
Spiritual Message
The Christian lives in the world, but is not of the world, and therefore must preserve his spiritual character and principles as a child of God. Pope Shenouda gives examples from the Bible and the saints, such as Abraham, Joseph the Righteous, Moses the Prophet, Daniel the Prophet, and the Three Young Men, who lived in the midst of the world without allowing it to change their faith and conduct. He compares the spiritual person to a rose among thorns, an island surrounded by water, and wheat among weeds; being in the world does not mean that the world should enter within him and change him. True transformation does not begin with outward appearance, but from within, through the renewal of the mind and the transformation of the thoughts, heart, and convictions.
Educational Lesson
Pope Shenouda explains that renewing the mind means acquiring new thoughts, new principles, and new spiritual convictions, and having the mind of Christ. Change that results from fear or external pressure does not last, whereas genuine inner transformation naturally appears in a person’s conduct, speech, relationships, and entire life. This renewal comes through a relationship with God, spiritual reading, spiritual influence, church meetings, liturgies, and prayers. He also explains that spiritual growth is a continuous process in which a person moves from what is bad to what is good, from what is good to what is better, and continues growing toward perfection.
Practical Application
Every person should examine himself and ask: Can others see a genuine difference in my life from the ways of the world? He should preserve worship in which the mind, heart, and body participate, and in every action seek God’s approval rather than people’s approval. He should also refuse to allow his environment, friends, or prevailing habits to take away his principles or change his spiritual identity. The goal is to live in the midst of the world while remaining steadfast in faith, renewed in mind, and committed to a spiritual character, so that his life reveals that he is a child of God.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Reflections on Romans 12: “Be Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind” – Part 2
Main Idea
Pope Shenouda III reflects on the apostle’s words: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,” explaining that true worship is not merely physical or ritual practice, but worship in which the mind, heart, and thoughts participate.
A person should understand what he says in his prayers and liturgy and meditate upon it, so that his mind and heart become attached to God.
He emphasizes that worship should be pleasing to God, rather than merely being worship that pleases the person himself or aims at pleasing people.
He also explains that the believer is called to live in the world without conforming to it or becoming immersed in its ways and principles that lead him away from God.
Spiritual Message
The Christian lives in the world, but is not of the world, and therefore must preserve his spiritual character and principles as a child of God.
Pope Shenouda gives examples from the Bible and the saints, such as Abraham, Joseph the Righteous, Moses the Prophet, Daniel the Prophet, and the Three Young Men, who lived in the midst of the world without allowing it to change their faith and conduct.
He compares the spiritual person to a rose among thorns, an island surrounded by water, and wheat among weeds; being in the world does not mean that the world should enter within him and change him.
True transformation does not begin with outward appearance, but from within, through the renewal of the mind and the transformation of the thoughts, heart, and convictions.
Educational Lesson
Pope Shenouda explains that renewing the mind means acquiring new thoughts, new principles, and new spiritual convictions, and having the mind of Christ.
Change that results from fear or external pressure does not last, whereas genuine inner transformation naturally appears in a person’s conduct, speech, relationships, and entire life.
This renewal comes through a relationship with God, spiritual reading, spiritual influence, church meetings, liturgies, and prayers.
He also explains that spiritual growth is a continuous process in which a person moves from what is bad to what is good, from what is good to what is better, and continues growing toward perfection.
Practical Application
Every person should examine himself and ask: Can others see a genuine difference in my life from the ways of the world?
He should preserve worship in which the mind, heart, and body participate, and in every action seek God’s approval rather than people’s approval.
He should also refuse to allow his environment, friends, or prevailing habits to take away his principles or change his spiritual identity.
The goal is to live in the midst of the world while remaining steadfast in faith, renewed in mind, and committed to a spiritual character, so that his life reveals that he is a child of God.
For better translation support, please contact the center.