The Mother Virtues (The Great Virtues)
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about what he calls the “Mother Virtues” or the great virtues, which are virtues that contain within them many other virtues. If a person masters one of them, he acquires with it a wide collection of spiritual virtues.
Love
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III confirms that love is one of the greatest virtues because it includes many virtues such as longsuffering, patience, gentleness, kindness, not boasting, not becoming angry, and bearing others. Also, the love of God leads a person to continual prayer, meditation, love of the Holy Bible, love of the Church and the Holy Sacraments, and keeping the commandments.
Humility
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that humility contains many virtues within it. The humble person does not judge others, does not exalt himself over them, and does not justify himself. Rather, he confesses his sins, accepts blame, flees from praise and honor, and lives in peace and simplicity with everyone.
Repentance
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III sees repentance as one of the mother virtues because it changes the entire life of a person, leads him to leave sin, and develops within him humility, the love of God, and the rest of the spiritual virtues.
Silence
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that silence protects a person from the many sins of the tongue such as judgment, lying, gossip, slander, and idle speech. It also gives him an opportunity for prayer, meditation, calmness, and holy solitude that help him grow spiritually.
Wisdom
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III confirms that practical wisdom leads a person to a righteous life filled with peace, mercy, and good works. The wise person knows how to walk according to the spirit and care for his eternity, so his actions become upright and fruitful.
The Spiritual Message of the Lecture
The lecture calls the believer to focus on the great virtues that give birth to many other virtues instead of being occupied only with small details. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that love, humility, and wisdom are essential pillars that must be present in every spiritual virtue, because any spiritual work that lacks love, humility, or wisdom loses its true spiritual value. Therefore, a person should train himself in these mother virtues so that he may grow in holiness and communion with God.
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