I Will Arise and Go About the City

Main Idea

This part of the sermon presents a reflection on the words of the Song of Songs: “I will rise and go about the city, through the streets and the marketplaces; I will seek the one whom my soul loves,” explaining the soul’s longing for God and its continuous pursuit of finding Him and enjoying His presence. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that love for God is not imposed on a person by force, but requires a free response from the heart, since a person must fulfill his role and offer what he can, while God works within him and grants him life and blessing. He gives examples that illustrate the necessity of human initiative, such as offering the five loaves and two fish and casting the net into the sea, while believing that God is the One who blesses the work and gives it fruit.

Spiritual Message

The reflection explains that there are multiple paths to reaching God because human temperaments, gifts, and circumstances differ, and what suits one person may not suit another. Some people draw closer to God through prayer and contemplation, while others serve Him through mercy, gentleness, and kindness. A person can also reach Him through monasticism, marriage, service, or work in the world. Therefore, no one should impose his spiritual path on others, but should help each person discover the path that leads him to God. The reflection also points to the importance of spiritual guides and fathers who have experienced life with God, since their presence and prayers may help guide the soul and assist it in finding the right path.

Educational Lesson

The reflection explains that the feeling of being distant from God may be a temporary period that allows a person to recognize his weakness and grow in longing for God and attachment to Him. It emphasizes that a delayed answer to prayer does not mean that God has abandoned a person; rather, a person may need perseverance and patience to appreciate the value of the gift he receives. The reflection cites biblical examples, such as Elijah’s prayer and his waiting for rain, and Jacob’s labor for Rachel, explaining that things received after struggle and patience may hold a deeper place in the heart. Continuous spiritual struggle also helps a person appreciate God’s grace and preserve it, instead of taking it lightly or losing awareness of its value.

Practical Application

The reflection calls a person to seek God earnestly and not surrender to spiritual dryness if he does not quickly find comfort in prayer, reading, or chanting. Instead, he can try different spiritual practices that help him draw closer to God. It also encourages him to seek guidance from spiritual fathers who can help him in times of confusion and weakness. A person should persevere in prayer and struggle against sin, even when results are delayed, trusting that God does not abandon His children forever. When a person finds God after a period of struggle and searching, he should hold fast to Him with steadfast love and never loosen his grip on Him, but should preserve the gift he has received and live in continual thanksgiving to God.

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