The Spiritual Means, book by H. H. Pope Shenouda III

Introduction

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom 8:14).

He leads them through certain means which if they follow, they will take part in the work of the Holy Spirit and be in the communion of the Holy Spirit (2Cor 13:14).

We call these means ‘The Spiritual Means’ or the means of grace, that is, the means through which the grace of God works or with which it works...

In this book, I shall speak to you about eleven of these spiritual means. They are:

Prayer, The Holy Bible, Reading the lives of the saints, Contemplation, Spiritual Practices, Giving account of oneself, Confession, Holy Communion, Fasting, Alms Giving and Service...

These means are essential for every person.

No matter how high the spiritual level of a person may be, he could never survive without these means. They are his continual spiritual food. If he kept away from them or neglected practicing them, the heat of his spirit will become lukewarm and he will expose himself to many dangerous combats...

The material of this book is the fruit of lectures that were given in the sixties, either in Cairo, Alexandria or Damanhour. Parts of these lectures were published in “El-Keraza” magazine and “Watany” newspaper. We have collected all these lectures in order to publish this book..

There is no doubt that a separate book could be written on each chapter, but we wanted to present all these topics to you in a concentrated way.

Try to apply and practise these discussed topics in your life. May God be with you, guiding your steps towards Him.

November 1992

Pope Shenouda III