Reproach and How Christ Rebuked
General idea (Essence)
In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the meaning of reproach in Christ and how He reproved His disciples and loved ones with a loving, gentle and constructive manner. He explains that reproof in Christianity is not vilification or harshness but a means of correction within a relationship of love and spirituality, directed to the salvation of the soul and the correction of behavior.
The main idea of the lecture
The lecture explains that Christ reproved only His beloved, and in varied ways: light rebuke, guidance, teaching, reminder of mercy, and sometimes prefacing reproach with praise so that it will be accepted. Christ does not reprove in a logic of harsh condemnation; rather He considers the weakness of human nature and uses compassion, mercy, and objective explanation.
The spiritual and educational dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective)
Reproof in Christ aims spiritually to restore repentance, build faith, protect the person from temptations, and guide to right Christian living. The saint teaches that reproach should be surrounded by praise, understanding, and showing the benefit to the one reproved, in accord with the pastoral care spirit of the Coptic Orthodox tradition.
Practical examples mentioned
His Holiness addresses Gospel examples: Christ’s reproach of Peter after his denial (three questions to prepare him to return to ministry), His reproach of Thomas in an encouraging way, His reproof of the disciples in Gethsemane as a warning for their sake, and His dealings with the weeping women with gentleness instead of increasing their pain.
Practical rules for Christian reproach
- Reprove only those who love you, because reproach needs acceptance.
- Begin with the white points — praise and acknowledgement of good — before pointing to the fault.
- Consider the weakness of human nature; do not reprove where the person is psychologically or physically weak.
- Be gentle and objective: use teaching and explanation instead of personal accusation.
- If the person does not have “an ear to hear,” refrain from reproach so as not to increase harm.
Closing message and applications
His Holiness calls to reduce unhelpful reproach and avoid reproach that becomes sourness or accusatory investigation, increase phrases of praise and respect, and practice reproach as a spiritual healing means that leads to repentance and reform rather than wounding and estrangement.
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محبة
Love
