Qudus Allah Part 2

The Holiness of God as the Origin

His Holiness Pope Shenouda begins by affirming that holiness is the original state and sin is foreign to the world, for in the beginning there was only God, the Holy One. With the creation of free rational beings, sin entered through misuse of freedom. God chose to grant human freedom, even at the risk of sin, because true holiness cannot be forced—it must be chosen out of love and conviction.

Voluntary, Not Forced, Holiness

The Pope explains that holiness achieved by compulsion is not true holiness, for God does not force anyone to do good but sets before man two ways: good and evil, life and death, and calls him to choose life. Therefore, God gave commandments, prophets, and the Holy Spirit to guide—not to compel—humanity.

God’s Ways to Lead Humanity to Holiness

Out of love, God gave man many means to return to holiness:

• The conscience as an inner light to discern right from wrong.

• The Holy Scripture as a lamp to his path.

• The prophets and apostles as divine guides.

• The Holy Spirit to convict of sin and lead to righteousness.

• Punishments and consequences of sin as discipline to awaken repentance.

Holiness Is Possible

The Pope stresses that holiness is not impossible; whoever truly desires it will be helped by God. Virtue “wants you to want it,” and when the will is sincere, heavenly powers aid the struggler.

The Meaning of “Holy God”

We say “Holy God” because holiness is God’s nature, “Holy Mighty” because He defeated Satan, and “Holy Immortal” because death is the wage of sin—He alone is without sin, therefore He does not die.

Asking Mercy from the Trinity

When we pray “Holy Trinity, have mercy on us,” we ask forgiveness from the one God in Trinity. The Pope explains the kinds of sins we confess:

• By will or without will.

• With knowledge or in ignorance.

• Hidden or manifest.
  Even sins done unintentionally or in ignorance need forgiveness, for they still break God’s commandments.

Hidden and Manifest Sins

Hidden sins are those unseen by people—of thought, intent, or negligence in prayer—while manifest sins are visible actions. Some sins are hidden even from oneself when one harms others unknowingly.

Forgiveness and Its Conditions

The Pope insists that forgiveness is not granted without repentance. God forgives the repentant, not those who continue in sin. Forgiveness also requires that we forgive others, for “if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you.”

A Call to True Repentance

Finally, the Pope urges that when we pray “Absolve, forgive, and pardon us, O Lord,” we must repent first. And if we have not yet repented, we should pray, “Lord, lead me to repentance; teach me Your way, and give me Your Holy Spirit to guide me.”