IGNATIUS to the Ephesians

(For the History note cfr. The Year of Faith with the Church Fathers {2} ).

CHAPTER 14

……..14:2  No man professing faith has to sin, and no man possessing love has to hate. The tree is recognised by its fruit; so they that profess to be Christ’s faithful shall be seen through their actions. For the Work is not a thing of profession now, but is seen then, when one is found in the power of faith till the end.

CHAPTER 15

15:1  It is better to keep in silence and to be (faithful to God and his teachings), than to talk and not to be. It is a noble thing to teach, if the speaker practises what he is saying. Now there is one teacher, who truly spoke: and even the things which He has done in silence are worthy of the Father.

Reflection

The world offers its wonders of progress. It also offers noises of untruthful knowledge. The one who is faithful to God and His teachings may be seen as a threat to society. It is a fact that the “True teachings” of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ( I am the way the TRUTH and the Life – John 14, 6 ), are expressions of love (God is Love – 1 John 4, 8 ) that heal the wounds of society, the worries of families and the difficulties of the individual that suffers pain in solitude. Truth shines in our life, and brings peace to all who adhere to it; while a mentality that excludes the Truth can be a real threat to society. So, the faithful to God’s words and teachings, are the ones that in silence and with respectful attitudes speak through their actions and teach, in a subtle and gentle whisper, the values and the true dignity of the human being created by God, thus regenerating hope and peace.

Franciscan Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.

fr sandro