H.H. Pope Tawadros II delivered his weekly sermon at the Wednesday Meeting this evening from the Church of Archangel Michael at the Papal Residence of Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo. The meeting was broadcast via Christian satellite channels and the online C.O.C Channel of the Church Media Center on the Internet, without public attendance.

His Holiness continued the series Spiritual Biblical Principles, and spoke today on the topic The Holy Bible Is the Primary Remedy in Times of Trial. He read a portion from Psalm 19, verses 7–14, focusing the verse: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” as the guiding law for the second week of the Great Lent, because the law of the Lord is the word of God (the Holy Bible), which restores the soul to its original state.

Pope Tawadros explained how the law of the Lord restores the soul to its origin, as follows:

1. It restores the soul from being lost to the right path, as happened with Prophet the David: “When I kept silent, my bones grew old” (Psalm 32:3).
2. It restores the soul to peace after turmoil: “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:19).
3. It restores strength after weakness through encouragement: “Be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6).
4. It restores the soul to its relationship with God, because the Holy Bible is the foundation upon which communication with God is built.

His Holiness added how temptations affect the spirit, causing it to wander and drift away from God, as follows:

1. Temptation comes in moments of weakness, for a person who is strong and spiritually fulfilled does not fall: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
2. Temptation always offers a person an easy and quick solution instead of waiting for God’s work. Saint John Chrysostom says: “He who wishes to rule himself does not allow his passions to carry him away, but remains and endures in the commandments of God.”
3. Temptation gives temporary comfort but leaves behind prolonged weariness: “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” (Psalm 51:4).
4. Temptation exploits human need in an incorrect way. Saint John Chrysostom says: “The person who obeys God is not a slave to the law but is free, because his passions no longer control him.”

Pope Tawadros clarified that the law of the Lord grants victory at all times through the following:

1. Success comes from steadfastness and faith in the Word of God, for the words of the Holy Bible are truths and promises: “It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Matthew 4:7).
2. The law preserves the soul from sin, for adherence to the law prevents a person from being led astray by temptations and desires: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
3. The law of the Lord grants strength, courage, and vitality, and preserves a person from daily temptations so that he does not wander far away.
4. We overcome temptation not by our personal ability, but by the Holy Word which gives power: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
5. The law of the Lord is a continual protection for the soul, for the Word of God is the daily strength that preserves a person in his life: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

His Holiness concluded by saying that the law of the Lord is a complete power in your hand that restores the soul. Therefore, during the Great Lent, the Church teaches us to read the Prophecies in Matins, to do prostrations (metanias), and to use short prayer phrases.

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