Faith – Part 8: St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans

Main Idea

Pope Shenouda III speaks about the importance of spiritual remembrance, explaining that human beings are often forgetful. Therefore, God and the Church have given us occasions, prayers, and repeated readings so that we may remember the truths that are beneficial for our salvation. When commemorating the birth of Christ, we should not remember only the joys of the Nativity, but also remember God’s love that led Him to become incarnate for the salvation of humanity. We should also remember our sins, which were the reason for the Incarnation and redemption, so that this may lead us to repentance, remorse, and confession.

Spiritual Message

The sermon emphasizes that continuous remembrance protects a person from negligence and forgetfulness. The Church places before us daily, weekly, and annual commemorations of important spiritual events, such as the birth of Christ, the coming of the Holy Spirit, the crucifixion of Christ, His Second Coming, and the Judgment. We are also called to remember death so that we may realize that our earthly life is passing and prepare ourselves to stand before God, the righteous Judge.

Educational Lesson

Pope Shenouda presents biblical examples that demonstrate the danger of forgetfulness, such as Zechariah the priest, who did not remember what God had previously done with Abraham, and Peter the Apostle, who forgot Christ’s warning before denying Him. The disciples also forgot some of Christ’s miracles and teachings. From this, it becomes clear that a person constantly needs reminders of God’s commandments and works. Therefore, the Church repeatedly gives us biblical readings, prayers, and spiritual commemorations.

Practical Application

At the beginning of every year, a person should sit with himself and remember his sins and shortcomings so that he may offer repentance, remorse, and confession for them. At the same time, he should remember God’s blessings toward him so that he may live in thanksgiving, hope, faith, and love. He should also remember the promises and commitments he made to God and not allow forgetfulness to cause him to abandon them. The purpose of remembrance is not merely to recall past events, but for these memories to become a practical spiritual life that leads a person to repentance, thanksgiving, and holding firmly to God’s commandments.

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