Do you think, my friend, that you are powerful

[Mary Naeem]

By H.H. Pope Shenouda III

Do you think, my friend, that you are powerful?


From where did you get this power? It is not yours of course because you are dust and ashes, you are nothing and ruin. This power is not also from another being other than God because He - blessed be His name - is alone the powerful and every power is derived from Him. Is your power then from God? If so, why do you boast and swagger? Why do you use God's power in works not relating to Him? So, he that glories, let him glory in the Lord because He - the highest in glory - is the source of every thing that deserves boasting..

But if you are powerful through God though weak by nature, then say along with the blessed St. Paul, "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities... for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Cor. 12:9,10)