Peace and All Good
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The Admonitions Admonition 2 On the wickedness of one's own wilfulness Admonition 3. On perfect obedience Admonition 4 That no one should take Authority upon himself. Admonition 5 That no one should be proud, but rather glory in the Cross of the Lord Admonition 6 Of the Imitation of the Lord. Admonition 7 That Good Works should accompany Knowledge. Admonition 8 On avoiding the sin of envy Admonition 9 On Loving Admonition 10 Of Bodily Mortification. Admonition 11 So That No One May Be Corrupted By The Evil Of Another Admonition 12 On Recognizing The Spirit Of God Admonition 13 - Of Patience Admonition 14 On Poverty Of Spirit Admonition15. On Peace Admonition 16 On Cleanliness Of Heart Admonition 17 On the Humble Servant of God Admonition 18 On compassion for one's neighbour Admonition 19 Of the Happy and Unhappy Servant. Admonition 20. On The Good and The Vain Religious Admonition 21 On The Inane and Loquacious Religious Admonition 22 Of the Frivolous and Talkative Religious. Admonition 23 On Humility Admonition 24 On True Love Admonition 25 Likewise Regarding Others Admonition 26 That The Servants Of God Should Honour The Clergy Admonition 27 On The Virtue Of Fleeing Vice Admonition 28 On Concealing Good Lest It Be Lost
The Body of the Lord-from Crib to Cross Is it right under your nose and you can’t see it? Francis loved his Lord and saw Him most clearly in the blessed Sacrament and this it what he desired his brother’s to experience for themselves, yet he upbraids them as if , they too, have something right there under their noses that they will not see.
None so blind as they will not see. "He said to him, Do you believe on the Son of God? And he answered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I might believe on Him? And Jesus said to him, You have both seen Him, and it is He who is speaking with you. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, I have come into this world for judgment, that they who do not see might see, and that they who see might be made blind. (John 35b – 39, G.N.B.) 1 People making nonsense of their senses is a theme running throughout Scripture; references to Blindness of body or spirit are parables equating blindness with unbelief and sight or seeing with belief. Francis’ constant reference to the Word reveals his love of Holy Scripture hence the reason why Francis begins this second half of his first Admonition with a reference to the man born blind. Just as the man born blind saw Jesus with his newborn eyes , and knew Him to be the Son of God, so Francis saw, every morning, his Lord descend from the bosom of His Father incarnated upon the altar at the hands of a priest. Francis wanted to share his vision with us.
This is Our Lord Jesus lying upon the Altar, as when in the manger in Bethlehem, this too is the broken body of the Lord hanging upon the tree.
Using the Mirror of the Gospel Francis encourages us all to understand that, "As [Jesus] revealed Himself to the holy apostles in true flesh, so He reveals] Himself to us now in sacred bread. And as they saw only His flesh by an insight of their flesh, yet believed that He was God as they contemplated Him with their spiritual eyes, let us, as we see bread and wine with our bodily eyes, see and firmly believe that they are His most holy Body and Blood living and true. And in this way the Lord is always with His faithful, as He Himself says: Behold I am with you until the end of the age. (cf. Mt 28:20)’ 2
1. e-Sword version 7.5.2 ® Rick Meyers downloaded from http://www.e-sword.net/ 2.The Ecumenical Franciscan Order Prayer Book Draft copy, version 2.4 Pgs 118-1l9 Br. Andrew EFO
Admonition 2 On the wickedness of one's own wilfulness
The Lord said to Adam: From "every tree eat, however, from the tree of good and evil you may not eat" (cf. Gen 2:16.17). From every tree of paradise he could eat, because while he did not go against obedience, he did not sin. For one eats of the tree of the knowledge of good, who appropriates his own will to himself and exalts himself because of the good things, which the Lord says and works in him; and so through the suggestion of the devil and the transgression of the mandate it has become the fruit of the knowledge of evil. Whence it is proper, that he endure punishment.
Comment
St. Francis begins at the beginning with the very first trespass, the trespass against the Kingdom of Heaven.
K. Esser, Gli Scritti di San Francesco d'Assisi: nuova edizione critica e versione italiana, Edizioni Messaggero Padova, 1982 (reprinted 1995), pp. 83-4, n. 5. All citations of K. Esser's work will be made from this edition.
Admonition 3. On perfect obedience The Lord says in his Gospel "No one can be my disciple unless they ‘will’ give up everything they have. (Luke 14:33b)"
Paraphrase Br Andrew EFO - this admonition is most unclear since Francis uses pronouns throughout and in the original text it is not clear which 'he' is 'he'. The Lord says in his Gospel "No one can be my disciple unless they ‘will’ give up everything they have. (Luke 14:33b)" This is the metaphor of religious life. Those who embrace the Religious life must be willing to do so under the same circumstances as those whom Jesus called to follow Him. When we enter religious life we must be willing to leave behind everything in our former lives and devote ourselves to Christ through obedience to our Superiors. What this implies for those of us in religious life, today, depends upon the Rule of each House and whether 1st, 2nd, 3rd Order, Companions or Associates - and of course the 21st century. Let us say that all Christians are called to place God foremost in their lives and an uncomplicated life facilitates this. In heeding the call to follow Francis we are embracing that life which facilitates a closer walk with Christ. Regarding Obedience. Francis goes on to explore for us conditions of obedience wherein as religious we must or may not be bound to obedience:
We are subject to obedience if what we are asked to is not against our conscience and is a good and true thing to do.
We are called to sacrifice our own spiritual desires or missions in deference to those chosen for us.
Should our superiors command anything of us which is contrary to our conscience and is not good; we are not bound to obey them but should nevertheless stand by them. Should we be persecuted in our decision to stand by our superior, then let us bear this patiently, and stand by them also, since this is a sign of love.
"Many religious, while seeming to see better things than their superior determines for them, look back ( cf. Luke 9 : 62) and return " to the vomit" of their own wilfulness ( cf. Proverbs 26:11; 2 Peter 2 : 22); These, because of their bad examples, are murderers since they cause many souls to perish."
Let us try to keep the spirit of obedience.
Admonition 4. That no one should take Authority upon himself.
I did "not come to be served but to serve", says the Lord. Let those who have authority over others, glory in their Position no more than if they had been deputised to wash the feet of the others. If the loss of their authority causes them to be more troubled than the loss of the office of washing feet, so much the more so do they lay up for themselves treasures to the peril of their souls. "But it shall not be so among you. But whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever of you desires to become first, he shall be servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mar 10:43-45" Admonition 4 is Francis’ version of the above verses, taken here from the Modern King James Version of the Scriptures.
Admonition 5 That no one should be proud, but rather glory in the Cross of the Lord
This version gratefully borrowed from the Official website of the Basilica and sacred Convent of St. Francis of Assisi.
Be attentive, oh man, to how many excellent things the Lord God has placed in you, since He created and formed you "to the image" of His own Beloved Son according to the body "and to (His) likeness" according to the spirit (cf. Gen 1:26). And all the creatures, which are under heaven, after you serve, know and obey their Creator better than you. · And even the demons did not crucify Him, but you with them have crucified Him and even now you crucify (Him) by delighting in vices and sins. · Whence therefore can you glory? · For if you were so subtle and wise that you had "all knowledge" (cf. 1Cor 13:2) and knew how to interpret every "kind of tongue" (cf. 1 Cor 12:28) and to search subtly after celestial things, in all these things you cannot glory; · since one demon knew of celestial things and now knows of earthly things more than all men, (even) granted that there has been someone, who received from the Lord a special understanding of the highest wisdom. · Similarly even if you were more handsome and wealthy than all and even if you were working miracles, as would put demons to flight, all those things are injurious to you and nothing (about them) pertains to you and you can glory in them not at all. · But in this we can glory, "in" our "infirmities" (cf. 2 Cor 12:5) and bearing each day the Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Lk 14:27).
It almost seems wrong to add anything to Francis’ words here; they are beautiful and seem to have sprung straight from the waters of Life. Francis speaks to us of our Pride and God’s Glory from the Garden wherein Our Father, Creator and Lord of all, formed us into the image and likeness of His beloved Son, our Saviour and Lord.
How often do we consider that we are fearfully and wonderfully made? ( Ps. 139:14) God’s gifts to us and His consideration of us are infinite – yet all other sentient beings, even the rocks and the oil which underpins our society as we now know it, both know and serve God better than us. Yes, even the very stones accuse us of doing what we would like to believe the daemons made us do! (Luke 19:40) Nothing, not even daemons can make us do what we do not want to do and so, perversely, we had wanted to kill the Lord of Justice… Now we continue to do so each time a mean thought or uncharitable word issues from us.
There is nothing in us of which to be proud. O yes we have made great inroads into discovering the science hidden from us until it ought to have been safe for us to find it. Well let’s not go into that lest we condemn ourselves out of our own carbon dating, telescope or ion. Angels of light and of darkness already know these things, might even have led us to find them. So, you say, I am a surgeon, a healer, a scientist.. I am handsome, well dressed, have a good job…
We ought not to pride ourselves in anything we are, do, know, or say because we ‘are’, only when we glory in the Cross of Christ. When we acknowledge our weakness, our egocentrism, and take up these crosses and keep company with the King of Glory atop that lonely Hill. Br Andrew EFO
Admonition 6 Of the Imitation of the Lord. Let us all, brothers, consider the Good Shepherd who to save His sheep bore the suffering of the Cross. The sheep of the Lord followed Him in tribulation and persecution and shame, in hunger and thirst, in infirmity and temptations and in all other ways; and for these things they have received everlasting life from the Lord. Wherefore it is a great shame for us, the servants of God, that (whereas the Saints have practised works), we should expect to receive honour and glory for reading and preaching the same. We are those sheep for which our Lord Jesus bore the suffering of the cross; yet I would rather not these things -tribulation and persecution and shame, in hunger and thirst, in infirmity and temptations and in all other ways. And because I rather not endure these things perhaps it is because I am following the Lord in the bearing these things.
Admonition 7. That Good Works should accompany Knowledge. The Apostle says, "the letter kills, but the spirit quickens." They are killed by the letter who seek only to know the words that they may be esteemed more learned among others and that they may acquire great riches to leave to their relations and friends. And those religious are killed by the letter who will not follow the spirit of the Holy Scriptures, but who seeks rather to know the words only and to interpret them to others. And they are quickened by the spirit of the Holy Scriptures who do not interpret materially every text they know or wish to know, but who by word and example give them back to God from whom is all good.
Admonition 8 On avoiding the sin of envy "The apostle says: "No one can say, ‘Lord Jesus’, except in the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12, 3); and "there is no one who does good, not even one" (Rom 3, 12). Whoever, therefore, would envy his brother for the good the Lord says and does through him, would tend towards the sin of blasphemy, since he would be envying the Lord Most High (Himself) (cf Mt 20, 15), who says and makes every good thing." On avoiding the sin of envy I Corinthians 12:3 says:" I want you to know that no one who is led by God" Spirit can say "A curse on Jesus!" and no one can confess "Jesus is Lord," without being guided by the Holy Spirit" (GNB). Francis begins with the Apostle Paul speaking to the Corinthians about the gifts of the Holy Spirit: the greatest gift is that we can only say that Jesus is Lord if we have the Spirit within us. Romans 3:12 " All have turned away from God; they have all gone wrong; no one does what is right, not even one" (GNB). He counters with the fact that no one can do any good of himself or herself unless the Spirit is within. Therefore, to envy someone for the good the Lord works through them would tend towards blasphemy because since it is the Lord that works the good, then one would be envying God for the good God works. Matthew 20:15 "Don't I have the right to do as I wish with my own money? Or are you jealous because I am generous?" (GNB) Thus To blaspheme in this case is to be to envy every good thing spoken or done by God. – Who has the right to choose anyone God pleases as a vessel for God’s work.
Admonition 9 On Loving "The Lord Says: "Love your enemies" [do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who are persecuting you and despitefully using you]" (Mt 5,44). For he, truly loves his enemy, who does not grieve over the injury inflicted on himself, but for the sake of the love of God burns for the sin against his own soul. And by his deeds, reveals his love for such a one." Mat 5:44 But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (GNB)
Honestly – this is impossible for me to do. Usually when someone sins against me, I exact satisfaction in letting him or her know exactly what I feel and what I think of them. Was Francis lamenting his own lack of Christian love? Setting too high a goal for his followers that in our failure we, might be humbled.
Admonition 10 Of Bodily Mortification. "There are many who if they commit sin or suffer wrong often blame their enemy or their neighbour. But this is not right, for each one has his enemy in his power,—to wit, the body by which he sins. Wherefore blessed is that servant who always holds captive the enemy thus given into his power and wisely guards himself from it, for so long as he acts thus no other enemy visible or invisible can do him harm." Sometimes it is difficult to take responsibility for our actions – we deny them, blame others… yet the enemy is in our control! The Enemy that is Self There may be outside influences that lead us into temptation, but we and we alone commit the sin.
Admonition 11 So That No One May Be Corrupted By The Evil Of Another
The servants of God ought not to upset themselves about anything except for sin. For the sake of charity, the servants of God, who become upset or grow angry, when another sins; harbour grief for themselves. The servants of God, who do not become resentful or angry, (no matter what the nature of another’s sin) live rightly without anything of their own. Blessed are they who keep back nothing for themselves, rather, returning to Caesar those things which are Caesar’s and to God those things which are God’s. This translation by Br Andrew EFO
Let the little things not bother us, neither those that once loomed large upon our horizons for ‘SIN" our own sin is the only thing that should upset us. For when we are angry or resentful if we consider someone has sinned, or even if it is apparent to all that the action is a violation of the laws of love; we harbour grief for ourselves – since we will be judged in the same measures as we have judged. When we do not become resentful or angry when another sins, (in spite of the nature of the sin); then we live rightly, without anything of our own. We are blessed when we keep back nothing for ourselves, returning the things of this world to the world and the things of God to God.
Admonition 12 On Recognizing The Spirit Of God Therefore, that others may know the servants of God by the Spirit of the Lord within them: that when the Lord works good through them they do not claim it as their own; (for this is contrary to every Good). Rather they see themselves, in their own eyes, all the viler because of it, and consider themselves the least of all humanity. This translation by Br Andrew EFO
Self-renunciation; self- humiliation: the marks of one through whom the Spirit of the Lord Works good things; by this behaviour they are recognised as those who have the Spirit of the Lord within them; a Tautology, something self-explanatory.
Admonition 13 - Of Patience How much interior patience and humility a servant of God may have cannot be known so long as he is contented.1 But when the time comes that those who ought to please him go against him, as much patience and humility as he then shows, so much has he and no more.
Comment I believe that St. Francis did not admonish his brothers unless he himself failed in virtue. Anyone might notice a patient person by their external demeanour but Interior patience is that true patience which the Lord alone sees, who looks upon the heart. Francis admonishes himself firstly for, he did not expect of his brothers more virtue than he was himself capable. How patient are we then? Do we love patiently? I am so often angry when my friends do not behave as expected towards me. I think that it is my right that others always behave to me as I want them to. Sadly I am lacking in visible patience and cannot begin to imagine the Lord ever perceiving it in my heart. I have only so much patience as I do now.
What of you?
Admonition 14 On Poverty Of Spirit
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Mt. 5:3)." Many are they who, faithful in prayers and Offices, practice abstinence and afflictions But take offence at a single word which seems to slight their bodies, or yet, because of any accusation brought against them, are fearful just like the outraged. These are not poor in spirit since they who are truly poor in spirit despise themselves and love those who strike them on the cheek. (cf. Mt 5:39). (Translation Br Andrew EFO) So "Many are they who, faithful in prayers and Offices, practice abstinence and afflictions..."
Does this remind you of anyone? Well I am reminded of myself, well the part about being faithful in prayers and Offices, I don’t go so far as to practice abstinences or afflictions yet I am ashamed to say that I do take to heart any criticisms levelled at me. Am I afraid or uneasy when something appears to slight my body? Yes I suppose I am, unsure of myself, looking for persecution perhaps. Pride is within every one of us, if we are honest, we are , most of us, far from being poor in spirit. Who are the poor in Spirit? Psalm 51:17 reads 'My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.' (GNB) They are those who realise that they have no control over their Life, whose spirits are broken, who reside in utter wretchedness allowing that all people are worthier than they to enter into the Kingdom of God. I think Francis had a problem with his pride, in fact I am sure he did, I have mentioned before that I feel that Francis did not write to admonition the brothers only, but he himself. When we recall those things written by Celano and the others concerning Francis’ youth we see that the young Francis was proud and most rich in his own spirit. "These are not poor in spirit since they who are truly poor in spirit despise themselves and love those who strike them on the cheek. (cf. Mt 5:39)." A life walked in the footsteps of the Saviour demands we love our enemies and bless those who strike us on the cheek, which has always been abhorrent, nauseating and more to me. Well poverty of spirit is a long time coming to those of us continuing to inhabit the universe of our own creation.
Admonition15. On Peace "Happy are the peace-makers, for they shall be called God's children" (Mt. 5:9). Real Peacemakers remain calm and peaceful throughout all life’s experiences because they love our Lord Jesus Christ. Loosely translated by Br Andrew 14/04/2007 Love conquerors everything.
Admonition 16. On Cleanliness Of Heart Blessed are clean of heart, since they themselves shall see God (Mt. 5:8). Truly are they clean in heart who despise earthly things, seek heavenly ones and always withdraw from adoring and beholding Our Lord, living and true, with a clean heart and soul.
Do you struggle as I do? Blessed are clean of heart, since they themselves shall see God (Mt. 5:8). What does it mean to be 'clean of heart'? In the Spiritual Context cleanliness of heart is akin to being pure and undefiled. A heart scrubbed, disinfected until it sparkles and shines. Such a one is fit to see God; despising earthly things.. for Francis and, of course the church in the Middle Ages things of the world were, evil, dirty, sinful, unclean. To be fit for the kingdom of Heaven, to see God was to be one that attempted to manage the impossible. To live in society without engaging in the social. Something impossible to do unless a friar whom having withdrawn from the world could purify themselves and seek an undefiled heart. Dichotomies. Br Andrew Efo
Admonition 17. On the Humble Servant of God "Blessed is that servant (Mt 24:46), who does not exalt himself more on account of the good, which the Lord says and works through him, than that which He says and works through another. A man sins, who desires rather to receive from his neighbor, what he, of himself, does not want to give to the Lord God. "Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant? It is the one
that his master has placed in charge of the other servants to give them their
food at the proper time. 46 How happy that servant is if his master finds him
doing this when he comes home! 47 Indeed, I tell you, the master will put that
servant in charge of all his property. 48 But if he is a bad servant, he will
tell himself that his master will not come back for a long time, "(Mat 24:45-
48 GNB) We must not expect to receive from each other that which we will not give to God. We must not take credit for the good God's works through us.
Admonition 18. On compassion for one's neighbour
Blessed the person, who supports a neighbour during infirmity as much as he or she would want to be supported by that neighbour, in the same circumstances. Blessed the servant who dedicates all goods to the service of the Lord God, because if a servant keeps the profits for themselves they "secrete" within themselves "the money of the Lord" God (Mt 25:18) and "what" they thought they "had, shall be taken away from" them (Lk 8:18). (My Paraphrase.)
On compassion for one's neighbour. The law of reciprocity :
Admonition 19. Of the Happy and Unhappy Servant. Blessed is the servant who gives up all his goods to the Lord God, for he who retains anything for himself hides "his Lord’s money," 2 and that "which he thinketh he hath shall be taken away from him."3 2. Matthew 25:18 But the servant who had received one thousand coins went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money. 3. Luke 8:18 "Be careful, then, how you listen; because those who have something will be given more, but whoever has nothing will have taken away from them even the little they think they have." Comment Reminiscent of the parable of the talents, the saint reminds his brothers and us too, that all we have comes from the Lord. Therefore, it is only right and good that we hold these gifts in trust and manage them well lest they are taken from us. For let us not assume that our talents are our own because – no, we have never owned them, neither did we create them they were the Lord’s to give and his to take away!
Admonition 20. On The Good and The Vain Religious Blessed is that religious, who has not pleasure nor joy except in the Lord’s most holy discourses and works, and with these leads men forth to the love of God with gladness and joy (cf. Ps. 50:10 ).Woe to that religious, who delights himself in idle and vain words and with these leads men forth to laugh. God blesses us when our greatest pleasures are the Deeds and Words of God and to share these with others and bring these to him. "All the animals in the forest are mine and the cattle on thousands of hills." (GNB) Pray much say little. Just enough to draw others to Christ without the verbosity of the show off, of the one long saved by the Lord. Let God speak for God's self.
Admonition 21. On The Inane and Loquacious Religious Blessed is the servant, who when he speaks, does not manifest all his learning for the sake of reward and is not swift to speak (cf. Prov. 29:20), but wisely provides, what he should speak and answer. Keep our knowledge to ourselves and think before we speak. Impart only that knowledge relevant to the occasion. Woe to that religious, who does not retain in his heart (Lk 2:19.51) the good things, which the Lord displays to himself, and does not display them to others in deed, but for the sake of reward desires to display them rather in words to men. Our Lord reveals himself to us privately those things he wishes to tell us. Show these things to the world in deeds, not words. He himself has received his reward (cf. Mt. 6:2; 6:16) and his hearers bring back little fruit. Do as I do and not as I say.
Admonition 22 Of the Frivolous and Talkative Religious. 3 Blessed is that servant who does not speak through hope of reward and who does not manifest everything and is not "hasty to speak,"4 but who wisely foresees what he ought to say and answer. Woe to that religious who not concealing in his heart the good things which the Lord has disclosed to him and who not manifesting them to others by his work, seeks rather through hope of reward to make them known to men by words: for now he receives his recompense and his hearers bear away little fruit.
[3 ] This Admonition (like No 11) is wanting in Cod An, but is found in the Speculum Perfectionis, ed Lemmens See Doc Ant. Franc, P II, p 84. [4 ] Proverbs 29:20 There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
3. THE ONLINE LIBRARY OF LIBERTY,© 2004 Liberty Fund, Inc., CLASSICS IN THE HISTORY OF LIBERTY, ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, THE WRITINGS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI (1906),PART I: ADMONITIONS, RULES, ETC.. 4. Biblical Texts are from the Good News Bible care of – e-Sword
Comment How many times have you or I chomped at the bit for another to get to the end of their part of the conversation so that we can show how cleaver we are? Be rewarded for the sagacity of our comments? Yes, I am a chatter box who concentrates more on composing my next ‘gem’ than listening to what my brother or sister is saying to me. I don’t think this is what the saint meant by wisely foreseeing what we ought to say and answer, do you? Francis believed in deeds rather than words, as did James the brother of our Lord; who wrote: [S]omeone will say, "One person has faith, another has actions." My answer is, "Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions."’ (James, 2:18, G.N.B.) Unless those who hear our words, without seeing our works, take away something of value with them; we have spoken vainly.
Admonition 23 On Humility Blessed is the servant, who is found to be as humble among his own subjects, as when he is among his own superiors. On being of the same demeanour in all circumstance Blessed is the servant, who remains under the rod of correction. [The rod of correction gives wisdom, but those left to their whims disgraces both superiors and subjects from Proverbs 29:15(adapted)] A faithful and prudent servant is he (cf. Mt. 24:45), who does not delay to punish all his own offenses interiorly by contrition and exteriorly by confession and works of satisfaction. To take responsibility for our actions.
Admonition 24 On True Love Blessed is the servant, who would so love his own brother, when he is infirm and cannot repay him, as when he is healthy and can repay him.
This is true love!
Admonition 25 Likewise Regarding Others Blessed is the servant, who would so love and fear his own brother, when he is far from him, as when he is with him, and would not say anything behind him, which he could not with charity say before him. The tongue is a tiny member!
"So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about
great things. Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny
flame!
Admonition 26 That The Servants Of God Should Honour The Clergy "Blessed is the servant, who puts faith in the clergy who live rightly according to the manner of the Roman Church. And woe to those who despise them; for though they may be sinners, no one however should judge them, since God Himself alone reserves to Himself their judgement. For as much as their task is greater, as they care for the Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, because they themselves receive and they themselves alone minister Him to the other men of this world."
Admonition 27 On The Virtue Of Fleeing Vice
Admonition 28 On Concealing Good Lest It Be Lost "Blessed is the servant, who stores up in Heaven (Mt. 6:20) the good things, which the Lord shows to him and does not desire to manifest them to men for the sake of reward, since the Most High Himself will manifest his works to whosoever He pleases. Blessed is the servant, who attends to the secrets of the Lord in his heart (cf. Lk 2:19.51)." |
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Updated Wednesday April 30, 2008 - Br Andrew EFO