His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains that the spiritual person is a complete person, who does not live by one virtue at the expense of another, but gathers all virtues in spiritual harmony. The complete personality knows no contradiction but integration, just as in God’s attributes where justice and mercy, strength and gentleness, wisdom and simplicity unite.

Integration between virtues

The Pope gives many examples to illustrate this concept:

• A person can be simple and wise at the same time; simplicity is not naivety but purity without complexity, accompanied by deep spiritual understanding.

• One can be meek and brave, like Moses who was very gentle but firm in resisting the worship of the golden calf.

• A person can also be loving and dignified, as Christ was gentle with children and sinners yet strong in character and full of majesty.

Biblical and spiritual examples

His Holiness mentions examples such as:

• Joseph the Righteous, who combined kindness and authority.

• Abraham, who was meek but courageous and a defender of truth.

• David, who was both a gentle harpist and a brave warrior against Goliath.

• Christ Himself, who united strength with love, gentleness with justice.

Practical application

The Pope calls believers to live with balance between contemplation and service, between prayer and work, between firmness and mercy.
The saints were neither isolated in monasticism alone nor busy in service alone, but lived integration between spiritual depth and active love.

Conclusion

The true Christian personality is not limited to one trait, but is the complete image of God, combining grace with strength, love with justice, mind with heart.
Thus, the spiritual person becomes whole, steadfast in truth, and fruitful in love.

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