Sometimes Speed Is Wisdom
In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses the balance of speed and slowness in a person’s life, clarifying that there are situations needing contemplation and patience, and conversely spiritual, moral, and life situations that require speed in decision and action because postponement harms.
Spiritual and educational dimension
He highlights that repentance and returning to God is a primary example that requires speed because postponement may strengthen sin and make it a habit hard to remove. He also links speed to responding to spiritual grace, combating habits and desires before they root, and earnest pursuit of holiness not by laziness but by wise haste.
Examples from Scripture and spiritual figures
He cites biblical stories (the story of Lot, Zacchaeus, the thief on the cross, Peter and Mary Magdalene) and examples from the Fathers (St. Anthony, the Apostle Paul, Abraham) to illustrate how speed in obedience and repentance led to salvation and deep transformations.
Areas that need practical speed
Family upbringing, treating habits, rescue and care, reconciliation, and tackling heretical teachings — all are matters His Holiness Pope Shenouda III warns urgently need speed so that issues do not become complicated or errors do not spread.
Speed accompanied by wisdom
He stresses that the required speed is not foolish impulsiveness but “speed with wisdom”: speed in decision-making, obedience, and fulfilling commandments with spiritual deliberation and discernment so that haste does not cause error.
Practical application and encouragement
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III urges seizing spiritual impressions and graces when they occur — converting the impression into immediate spiritual action (repentance, change of behavior, service) before the devil steals it by procrastination and distraction.
Pedagogical-spiritual summary
The spiritual path is long and needs continual work, yet the right beginning requires speed: repentance is the first step, then purity, then holiness. Speed combined with seriousness and commitment distinguishes the lives of saints and accelerates spiritual growth.
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