The Problem of “Excuses”
The Problem of “Excuses”[1]
Many people offer excuses, with which they cover some of their sins so that they may not be blamed, or with which they cover their shortcomings in doing good works.
It is an old mistake; we go back to the days of our parents Adam and Eve!
Eve apologized that the serpent had tempted her, and she could have not obeyed the serpent, so the excuse is unacceptable, exactly like Adam’s excuse that the woman had given it to him, while he could have not listened to her.
Indeed, how true is the saying: that the road to hell is paved with excuses!
Even the one who buried his talent in the ground offered an excuse for this deed that was worse than the sin itself, saying that his master was unjust, reaping where he did not sow!
And how many are those who make excuses for not praying, saying that they do not have time! While they find time for many entertainments and meetings, and the truth is that they have no desire..!
And the majority of those who do not offer their tithes to the Lord offer excuses instead, saying that they do not have [anything], while the widow who paid the two mites out of her poverty did not offer an excuse. Likewise, the widow of Zarephath who offered her oil and flour to Elijah the prophet in the days of famine, while she was in dire need.
David the young boy had many excuses before him! He could have offered them, if he had not wanted to fight Goliath..!
He was not a soldier, and no one had required this of him, and he was young in age, and the adults had remained silent, and Goliath was a mighty man whom it was not easy to fight.. etc.
But David’s burning zeal did not allow him to offer an excuse.
The right-hand thief had excuses against faith before him, but he did not use them!
How could he believe in a God *** crucified before him! While He was unable to save Himself, and the insults of the people toward Him and their challenges rang in his ears.. Yet the thief did not allow himself to make an excuse for faith.
Fear was not an excuse that Daniel offered before the lions’ den, nor an excuse that the three youths offered before the fiery furnace..
Nor could the love of the only son stand as an excuse before Abraham when God commanded him to offer this son as a sacrifice, and he was the son of the promise who had been born to him after dozens of years!!
The friends of the paralytic had excuses before them, if they had wanted to.. But they did not acknowledge the obstacles; they went up to the roof, opened it, and lowered the paralytic down with ropes..
He who overcomes obstacles and does not make excuses because of them demonstrates the sincerity of his intention within.
As for the weak in determination, or the weak in understanding, he reminds us of the saying of Scripture: The lazy man says, “There is a lion on the road.”
[1] An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, in El-Keraza Magazine, ninth year, issue 32, August 11, 1978.For better translation support, please contact the center.
