His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reflects on the commandment of Saint Paul the Apostle in Chapter Twelve of the Epistle to the Romans: “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” He explains that true spiritual life requires continuous activity, diligence, and faithfulness in walking with God, far from laziness, sluggishness, and negligence. Laziness affects not only work and study but also extends to prayer, repentance, worship, and growth in virtue. He emphasizes that the person who has the love of God dwelling in his heart lives with burning holy zeal and a desire to draw closer to God and serve Him.
Spiritual Message
The Pope explains that fervency of spirit is a sign of God’s work within a person, and it appears in love for God and perseverance in prayer, reading the Holy Bible, contemplation, worship, and service. This fervency also makes a person grieve over sin and care about his own spiritual growth and the spiritual lives of others, instead of treating sin with coldness or indifference. He explains that divine fire drives away laziness and sluggishness, softens the hardened heart, and helps a person repent, become humble, and shed holy tears. He compares the life of a person burning with the love of God to incense whose fragrance rises before God, expressing a life dedicated to Him.
Educational Lesson
The Pope uses examples from nature, such as the rotation of the earth, the growth of plants, and the activity of the ant, to explain the importance of continuing to work and not surrendering to laziness. He also points to the angels’ prompt obedience to God’s commands, calling people to carry out God’s commandments faithfully, without delay or sluggishness. He presents spiritual examples from the Bible and the life of the Church, such as Abraham, who rose early to fulfill God’s commandment; the prodigal son, who decided to return to his father; and Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, and the holy fathers, who diligently devoted themselves to service, teaching, and worship. He emphasizes that wise patience differs from laziness, and that repentance, worship, and the fulfillment of God’s commandments require a serious and prompt response.
Practical Application
The Pope calls every person to examine his spiritual life and identify areas of laziness and shortcomings, whether in prayer, reading the Holy Bible, memorizing verses, attending church, resisting sin, or acquiring virtues. He advises people to train themselves to wake up early and begin the day with God, while organizing their time and persevering in morning and evening prayer according to their ability. He also encourages strengthening one’s will, resisting sluggishness, and not postponing spiritual exercises or abandoning good works before completing them. He concludes by calling for an active spiritual life in which the heart burns with the love of God, spiritual work continues, and the commandments of the Lord are faithfully and diligently fulfilled.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
Reflections on Romans 12: Not Slothful in Zeal (Part 16)
Main Idea
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reflects on the commandment of Saint Paul the Apostle in Chapter Twelve of the Epistle to the Romans: “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” He explains that true spiritual life requires continuous activity, diligence, and faithfulness in walking with God, far from laziness, sluggishness, and negligence. Laziness affects not only work and study but also extends to prayer, repentance, worship, and growth in virtue. He emphasizes that the person who has the love of God dwelling in his heart lives with burning holy zeal and a desire to draw closer to God and serve Him.
Spiritual Message
The Pope explains that fervency of spirit is a sign of God’s work within a person, and it appears in love for God and perseverance in prayer, reading the Holy Bible, contemplation, worship, and service. This fervency also makes a person grieve over sin and care about his own spiritual growth and the spiritual lives of others, instead of treating sin with coldness or indifference. He explains that divine fire drives away laziness and sluggishness, softens the hardened heart, and helps a person repent, become humble, and shed holy tears. He compares the life of a person burning with the love of God to incense whose fragrance rises before God, expressing a life dedicated to Him.
Educational Lesson
The Pope uses examples from nature, such as the rotation of the earth, the growth of plants, and the activity of the ant, to explain the importance of continuing to work and not surrendering to laziness. He also points to the angels’ prompt obedience to God’s commands, calling people to carry out God’s commandments faithfully, without delay or sluggishness. He presents spiritual examples from the Bible and the life of the Church, such as Abraham, who rose early to fulfill God’s commandment; the prodigal son, who decided to return to his father; and Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, and the holy fathers, who diligently devoted themselves to service, teaching, and worship. He emphasizes that wise patience differs from laziness, and that repentance, worship, and the fulfillment of God’s commandments require a serious and prompt response.
Practical Application
The Pope calls every person to examine his spiritual life and identify areas of laziness and shortcomings, whether in prayer, reading the Holy Bible, memorizing verses, attending church, resisting sin, or acquiring virtues. He advises people to train themselves to wake up early and begin the day with God, while organizing their time and persevering in morning and evening prayer according to their ability. He also encourages strengthening one’s will, resisting sluggishness, and not postponing spiritual exercises or abandoning good works before completing them. He concludes by calling for an active spiritual life in which the heart burns with the love of God, spiritual work continues, and the commandments of the Lord are faithfully and diligently fulfilled.
For better translation support, please contact the center.