The Sermon

In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda III calls the believer to take the fasting period as an opportunity to examine and watch the self honestly, and he calls to sit with the self continuously to discover its spiritual course and to know the manifest and hidden sins.

1. The meaning of self-examination and its importance

• Daily accounting is necessary: reviewing actions, thoughts, and intentions so that a person does not live in the whirlpool of time without awareness.

• Distinguishing between manifest sins (words and deeds seen by people) and hidden sins (thoughts, feelings, intentions seen only by the self).

2. Practical elements of self-checking

• Monitoring dreams and semi-voluntary acts because they may be the result of earlier voluntary actions and inclinations.

• Examining the language of the tongue, thought, feelings, and inner desires to know the sources of sin and try to avoid them.

3. Sincerity of confession and true repentance

• Confession must be self-revelation and self-condemnation with real remorse and the weeping of the soul, not merely telling stories or asking for a formula.

• Repentance is not only abandoning sin but replacing one desire with a new desire: love of God and longing for holiness instead of the world’s desires.

4. Types of confession and their spiritual foundations

• Confession between the person and his God (an inner feeling of guilt before God).

• Confession before the priest to obtain cleansing, guidance, and permission for communion.

• Confession before the person whom one wronged for reconciliation and restoration of rights.

• An internal, frank confession with the self that precedes all types and leads to real change.

5. Treating and repairing the consequences of sin

• It is not enough to merely pronounce apology; if possible, one must return rights and repair consequences (return stolen money, restore reputation, compensate as far as possible).

• Imposing self-discipline sometimes to prevent repetition of the sin, pursuing its causes and avoiding them.

6. Conditions for true forgiveness to be accepted

• Faith that Christ bore the sins and paid the price with His blood, and sincere repentance that actually changes the course of life.

• No procrastination or excuses; seek possibilities and time for prayer, reading, and confession.

Conclusion and a practical measure for the fast
The Pope concludes that the believer should take the fasting period as a time for self-monitoring, accounting, disciplining if needed, and practical and spiritual reform so that he may grow in love toward salvation and change his conduct to a new life with God.

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