A Word for His Holiness the Pope on the First Anniversary of His Enthronement
Main Idea
The speech centers on the necessity of recognizing God as the true worker in the life of the human being and the Church, and of allowing the human person to disappear so that God’s work and glory may appear. Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that he does not attribute what is good to himself, but to God who works through the human person. He also explains that regardless of a person’s position, talents, or abilities, he is merely an instrument in God’s hand; therefore, he should depend on God rather than on his human strength.
Spiritual Message
The Pope expresses his deep sense of unworthiness before God, explaining that a person stands before God exposed in all his weakness and faults, while God knows all of his inner depths. He sees that God sometimes chooses people who are weak or young so that His own power may be revealed, rather than the power of the human being. Therefore, the person should give glory to God and always remember that the good work accomplished through him is the fruit of God’s work.
The Lesson of Humility and Responsibility
The Pope speaks about the seriousness of spiritual responsibility, emphasizing that positions and titles are not a source of salvation or glory, but rather increase a person’s responsibility before God. The higher a person’s position becomes, the greater his responsibility, because God will ask him what he did in the place of responsibility entrusted to him and what good he offered to others. For this reason, the Pope asks the people to pray for the Patriarch, bishops, and priests, because they need the prayers of the Church so that God may support them in their service.
Love for Everyone
The Pope emphasizes that the Christian’s mission is to continue Christ’s mission on earth, and that the essence of this mission is love. This love is not limited to those who love us, but includes everyone without distinction or exception, even those who do not love us. He uses the image of a flower that gives its fragrance to everyone, even to the person who harms it, to explain that true love gives goodness without expecting anything in return.
Faith and Action
The Pope stresses that true faith is not merely external appearances or numerical growth, but a faith that works in the heart and spirit and is reflected in a person’s life. The Church does not rejoice simply because it is filled with people; rather, it rejoices in people who are connected to God, obey His commandments through faith, love, and conviction, and strive toward holiness and spiritual perfection.
Cooperation for Good
The Pope calls for cooperation among the people of the nation for the sake of faith, virtue, and the common good. He speaks about the possibility of cooperation between Muslims and Christians in confronting atheism and spreading virtue. He also emphasizes the importance of love and national unity, and of praying for the homeland, its leaders, and its people, as well as for the poor, the weak, and the sick, and for peace in the world and the Middle East.
Spiritual Application
The Pope calls every person to surrender his will, heart, and hands to God so that God may work in him and through him. He also asks that a person’s life become an opportunity to do good everywhere and with everyone, without expecting anything in return. At the end of the speech, he asks the attendees to pray for him, for the Church, for the homeland, and for the world, expressing his desire to be an instrument in God’s hand, working according to His holy will.
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