Keep on the spiritual readings, even without understanding. Keep on praying, even without warmth, confess always even though you feel no penitence. Perhaps because of your perseverance, the Grace of God may seek you and give you the understanding, warmth and penitence.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III
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Many search for a benefit from a word…
If they do not read it or hear it they feel that they have not benefited!!
The wise person sees a word of benefit in everything.
Even in the silence of others, he sees benefit and wisdom… He might benefit from their silence more than he benefits from their talk.
Every incident you experience in life, your life or the life of others, holds a word of benefit for you… Therefore, many benefit from incidents more than they benefit from books, articles or talks…
Life experience is also full of countless words of benefit, for the one who knows how to benefit from such experience.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, WORDS OF SPIRITUAL BENEFIT VOL. II
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Even all the incidents you experience are permitted by God so you can gain a spiritual benefit from them…
There are those who become nervously, psychologically or mentally affected by incidents. Others are affected spiritually by whatever events they experience; everything that happens to them makes them closer to God….
The people that you meet, are sent by God. Passing your way, they are for your own spiritual benefit, if you know how to benefit from them.
The righteous present you with an example and a blessing, while you benefit endurance, patience, and forgiveness for others from evil.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, WORDS OF SPIRITUAL BENEFIT VOL. II
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In our current age, there are some monks who have deviated in theological issues. Also, some monks are simple; they fall into faults without knowing I remember the first responsibility entrusted to me as a monk was caring for the library in the Syrian Monastery. At first, I coded the books, organized them, and read them as much as I could. In doing this, I would find inside the front cover of a book a curse and an anathema against anyone who removes it from the monastery or contradicts the book; however, the book is full of heresies and innovations. Probably, a person gave it as a gift to a monk, who thanked him for it and prayed for him, without knowing what is written inside this heretical book. Perhaps an unorthodox manuscript, or an incorrect icon, given as a gift, might be placed in the church, meanwhile, it is all wrong.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Monastic Treasures for All of Us
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The monastic studies theological matters, not for educational purposes, but to benefit from them personally.
Sometimes when one studies, one seeks to teach others, considering it a buried talent if people do not benefit from this knowledge. If you learn theology for your own personal gain, this is good for you. If you study theology in order to teach others, then you will be fought with venturing outside your rite of isolation and meditation.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Monastic Treasures for All of Us
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When one becomes preoccupied with theological books, one tries to teach everyone what one has learned, regretting the loss if no one benefits from the research you read in the spiritual books, and in the theological books. One might think, “If people do not benefit from what you learn, then what is the benefit?” So beware of being fought with the desire to teach others.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Monastic Treasures for All of Us
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The person, however, must carefully choose the books they read and will be discipled unto, and must read with discernment and care, and must not adopt everything they read. For there are books, even by renowned authors, that contain unsound information. And not all books are without error.
Therefore, the reader should place in front of themself the saying of St. Paul the Apostle, “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil;” and the saying of St. John also, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.”
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Come, Follow Me
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“Return to the readings which used to affect you in the past and to the contemplations, sermons, liturgies and hymns. Know yourself and know the things which strengthen it, and cleave to them. Do not leave your soul without wood to kindle its fire.”
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III
SO GOOD QUOTES 