Spiritual Lethargy
Main Idea
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses the subject of spiritual lethargy, explaining that it is a condition in which a person gradually loses the spiritual fervour with which they began their life with God. As a result, their love, prayers, and relationship with God become weaker. He emphasizes that spiritual life does not always remain at the same level, and a person may experience temporary periods of weakness. However, what matters is whether spiritual fervour is the normal condition of their life and lethargy is only temporary, or whether lethargy has become the dominant condition. He also explains that spiritual lethargy may result from external causes or from internal weakness within the person.
Spiritual Message
His Holiness explains that among the most important causes of spiritual lethargy are moving away from a life of repentance, forgetting past sins and God’s grace that saved the person, and losing the sense of humility and the need for God. A person who remains aware of their weakness and sinfulness continues to stay close to God, and their prayers remain filled with fervour and contrition. Likewise, distancing oneself from spiritual means, such as prayer, meditation, spiritual reading, spiritual meetings, Divine Liturgies, confession, hymns, and praises, leads to weakness in spiritual life. He also warns against the continuous influence of the world and the transformation of worship into mere formalities and routine, or focusing on the quantity of prayers and readings without understanding, depth, or fervour.
Other causes of spiritual lethargy include stopping spiritual growth, being satisfied with the level a person has reached, becoming proud because of positions, leadership roles, and praise, and judging others. A person may also change from being a worshipper into merely a teacher, reading the Bible to teach others without receiving spiritual benefit personally. Furthermore, allowing people to become the centre of one’s life, caring about pleasing them and their opinions, and being constantly occupied with studies, work, family, church service, and activities may push God to the margins of one’s life instead of keeping Him as the primary goal.
Educational Lesson
His Holiness emphasizes that spiritual life is a life of continuous growth, and that progress along the spiritual path is what maintains inner fervour. A person should not be satisfied with a certain level of prayer, reading, or service, but should always strive toward perfection and holiness. He also explains that the quality and depth of worship are more important than its quantity. A short prayer that comes from the heart with faith, humility, and fervour is better than many prayers offered without understanding or concentration. He teaches us to compare ourselves with the high spiritual levels reached by the saints, rather than being satisfied with the progress we have already achieved.
Practical Application
His Holiness calls us to search for the real causes of spiritual lethargy in our lives, because these causes differ from one person to another. The cause may be pride, judging others, love of positions, or excessive preoccupation with daily affairs. He asks us always to remember where we have fallen and repent, to return to the spiritual means that once set our hearts on fire, and to maintain a life of repentance and humility. We should also dedicate genuine time to God amid life’s many responsibilities, and ensure that church service and activities do not become alternative goals that replace God. We must continue growing spiritually and focus on the depth of our prayers, our understanding, and our meditations, so that our lives remain connected to God with fervour and love.
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