On Life 67 – The Fish or the Hook – February 28, 2015

   It is said if success makes you haughty, then you have not succeeded; and should failure fill you with perseverance, then you have not failed. So, deeds are no criteria. Rather, what these deeds lead to are the true criteria. Hence, you should evaluate yourself according to the results of your work. It is good to be successful; but should success lead you to arrogance, then you are on the way to endless failure. Solomon the sage says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” So, beware of this. Also, evaluate the results of your deeds according to others. Do you offer them true love and goodness, or do you just give them a one-day fish that they might be always in need of and constantly depend on you? Do so, but always keep in mind a plan to give them whatever enhances their skills and capacities. Help whoever wants to grow and develop through enriching his mind, just like parents who provide their children with love and support, but train to mature.

   Here, I recall the story of the spoilt child whose mother provided all his needs, thinking this would help him lead a comfortable life. She would always say, “The future has lots of care. Let the child enjoy his life.” The child became a boy, then a youth. He was still enjoying life. Yet, at the first challenge, he was broken. He lost his way. So, mark this: not all what you think is good is really good. In fact, certain routes seem to lead to a good end, but they do lead to pain. Others are feared by man; but, in reality they lead him to a lot of good. To discern things, man needs wisdom, patience, and continuous evaluation of his deeds. Ask God for wisdom. Befriend the wise that you may learn from them. Be patient, and never judge anything before you understand its core through follow-up. Whenever you realize you made a mistake, be brave enough to stop and correct your path.

   A short life on the right track is a light that guides others in their path. It is better than a long one on the wrong track that sways others from their path.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center