Emptiness

The lecture discusses the problem of emptiness as one of the greatest problems affecting human life, whether it is emptiness in time, emotions, personality, or goals. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that when a person is filled with God, beneficial work, and love, he lives in peace and happiness, while emptiness leads to weariness, distress, and boredom.

His Holiness connects the beginning of spiritual emptiness with man’s separation from God because of sin, explaining that nothing can fill this emptiness except returning to God. He also explains that emptiness of time may lead a person to wrong thoughts, problems, or wasting time, and therefore time should be filled with useful work, service, and learning.

The lecture emphasizes the importance of a person feeling his value and role, because feeling unimportant may drive him to seek attention in unhealthy ways. It also stresses the necessity of using human abilities for good so that they do not become a source of problems.

The lecture also speaks about emotional emptiness, explaining that a person needs love and tenderness in a proper way within the family and society, and that the absence of affection may lead some people to seek it in wrong ways. Therefore, His Holiness calls on fathers and mothers to show love, care, and wisdom in raising their children.

The lecture presents practical ways to fill emptiness, such as worship, prayer, reading, meditation, service, developing useful talents and hobbies, seeking knowledge, and setting noble spiritual and human goals.

The lecture concludes by emphasizing that being filled with the love of God satisfies the heart, leaving no emptiness within it, and leads a person to a life full of goodness, service, activity, and love.

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