Zajal I was in exile (1)

In this excerpt, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about his past experience with political parties, expressing it through poetry filled with deep personal reflection.
Through the verses he recites, he reveals that he once felt a kind of intellectual and spiritual exile, initially drawn to the polished words and charming slogans used by politicians. However, he later realized that these words were deceptive and did not contain the truth he sought.
The Pope expresses his disappointment after trusting in false promises, coming to understand that true belonging lies in loyalty to one’s homeland and to truth—not to parties or personal interests.
This message carries a clear spiritual dimension, emphasizing the importance of discernment between falsehood and truth, and warning against being misled by flattering speech. The believer is called to stand firm in truth despite temptations.
The overall message is a call for awareness and spiritual maturity, urging people not to let appealing words distract them from holding onto genuine principles and steadfast faith.