The Seventh Anniversary of Pope Shenouda III’s Enthronement (Part 2) – A Speech by the Pope

Main Idea

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about ecclesiastical responsibility, reviewing what has been accomplished and what still needs to be completed in the service of the Church. He emphasizes that a righteous person should not be preoccupied with what has been achieved in the past as much as with what should be offered in the future. He also explains that every good work is accomplished not through human strength alone, but through God’s grace and power, and that glory should be given to God rather than to human beings.

Spiritual Message

Pope Shenouda expresses his feeling of unworthiness before the responsibility that God has placed upon him, explaining that God often chooses the weak in order to reveal His power through them. He acknowledges shortcomings in several areas of ministry, despite the achievements made, such as establishing new churches abroad and ordaining new priests. He explains that there is a great difference between intentions and capabilities: the desire to serve may be great, but human resources may not be sufficient to meet all the needs.

He also points out that ecclesiastical responsibility places many burdens on a servant and may affect his personal life and the time devoted to prayer and meditation. Nevertheless, a person needs God’s grace and assistance to continue serving and carrying the burdens of others. He emphasizes that the most beautiful life is the true monastic life, based on quietness, prayer, and complete dedication to God. However, God may call a person to other responsibilities that require him to forget himself for the sake of serving others.

Educational Lesson

Pope Shenouda calls everyone to continue living a life of discipleship and learning, emphasizing that no one reaches a stage where learning is no longer necessary, and that the more a person reads, the more he realizes how much additional knowledge he needs. He also explains the importance of preparing capable Church servants to assume responsibility, because the Patriarch cannot carry out all the works of ministry alone, but needs bishops, priests, and servants to share in the work.

He also stresses the necessity of establishing regulations to organize Church affairs, such as the regulations governing the election of the Patriarch, the selection of bishops, the organization of the Clerical College, Church education, and Church councils.

Practical Application

Pope Shenouda calls the children of the Church to dedicate their lives to service and participate in meeting the Church’s needs, rather than simply criticizing shortcomings, but instead contributing to resolving them. He asks them to pray for those responsible for the ministry so that God may grant them the strength and resources they need.

He also emphasizes the importance of love among all the people of the nation, Christians and Muslims alike, because love is the foundation of life with God. A heart that is without love is without God. He calls for cooperation and unity for the sake of Egypt’s peace and prosperity, and for prayers for peace in Lebanon, Iran, and the whole world, as well as for the spread of faith and freedom from atheism, materialism, and immorality.

He concludes by emphasizing that a person should work and strive diligently, but should ask God to be the true worker, so that God’s glory may be revealed in every work and human glory may disappear.

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