“Wisdom is one of the factors for success”

[Mary Naeem]

H.H. Pope Tawadros II

“Wisdom is one of the factors for success”







This evening, H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday meeting, from St Mary’s Church in Zamalek. The sermon was broadcast on Christian satellite channels, the official website of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the C.O.C channel of the Church’s media center online.

Before the start of the meeting, His Holiness opened the “Trinity” Center for Youth Service, which is an educational, qualifying and developmental center for youth. It relies on modern methods that suit the needs of the current age, and provides various services to the youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church, in several spiritual, social, cultural, and technological fields.

Then he prayed the raising of incense of vespers. A number of the church’s bishops, Father Sergius Sergius (the Deputy General of the Patriarchate in Cairo), the church’s priests, and a number of other priests participated with him.

The church choir presented a group of church hymns, and showed a documentary about the history of St Mary’s Church in Zamalek, and another film about the vision and goals of the Trinity Youth Service Center project.

At the beginning of the sermon, His Holiness praised the idea of ​​the Trinity Center and those in charge of it. He also praised St Mary’s Church in Zamalek, noting that although it is more than sixty years old, it is always renewed.

His Holiness addressed part of the epistle of St. James the Apostle (3:13-18), and a number of verses in the Book of Proverbs. He reflected on the virtue of wisdom as one of the factors for success in life.

Pope Tawadros explained the advantages of wisdom as follows:
1- “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Sir 1:16). In order for a person to be wise, his heart must be filled with the fear of God.
2- Wisdom is involved in all virtues; in thought, word, and deed.
3- It is one of the fruits of a life of communion with God.
4- It is a sign of spiritual success: “Blessed is the man who… He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3).
5- It is a blessing for a person’s life: his psychology, health and mind.

His Holiness referred to the forms of wisdom, which are:
1- Wisdom of speech: “And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25).
2- The wisdom of actions and behavior: “And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand” (1 Samuel 25:33).

His Holiness specified the methods of acquiring wisdom:
1- The presence of a guide, such as a father of confession and a spiritual mentor.
2- Vision and patience, because the factor of time solves many problems. “Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this’” (John 13:7).
3- Moderation and non-extremism.

Pope Tawadros referred to the sources of wisdom, which are:
1- Reading the Bible with spiritual understanding.
2- Advice of virtuous people, and discipleship to the appropriate wise person.
3- Life experiences, through observation and the wanting of benefit.