Failed Reformers in Reform
Many participated in movements of reform and failed because they did not walk in reform along a sound spiritual path. Among these are:
The Arrogant
They are those who call for an opinion in reform and think that there is no opinion but theirs, and that if the officials do not act according to their opinion the Church will be ruined and everything will be corrupted, and that their opinion is the summary of thought and the summary of truth, and that it alone is the truth…
The arrogant do not only hold to their opinion, but they oppose everything other than themselves. They think that they alone understand, and they mock the understanding of others. They like the officials to submit to their ideas, as if they were directives!! They do not accept that their opinions be a subject for discussion, or a field for criticism, at the time when they criticize others…
The pride of those engaged in reform leads them many times to violence, and to attempts to destroy others. Thus they lose others. They constantly take a position of hostility toward the officials, and they consider themselves better than them in opinion and more worthy than them of leadership.
But the humble speak about matters of reform with politeness, propriety, and objectivity. They explain the truth without wounding anyone. They speak about principles, not about persons.
In their humility they respect everyone, and they honor every official, and they speak to him about what should be with a manner that has love and meekness. Thus they win him and win their cause, and in them there is seen a love for the truth, not violence, attacking, arrogance, and pride in opinion as the arrogant do.
Therefore the humble succeed in reform, and the arrogant do not succeed.
The arrogant have a repelling manner… They speak about sound principles and their application in a repelling way, all attack and all arrogance, like one who speaks to people from above… Therefore they err, and their words are not accepted.
The arrogant think that without them no reform can take place. They resemble the rooster that claims that dawn cannot appear unless he crows!!
By his crowing the dawn appears!! And without him it does not appear..
Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered in His ministry from such arrogant people.
An example of this: the scribes and the Pharisees, who set themselves up as guardians of the Law and religion, and called for defending the Law, and watched the works of Christ, and tried to catch Him with a word, and accused Him of breaking the Law!
The scribes and the Pharisees failed, and their pride failed… and they were not true reformers…
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – in Al-Kiraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Six) – 11-2-1977
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