Dear friends, making time for God regularly is a fundamental element for spiritual growth

GENERAL AUDIENCE Castel Gandolfo  Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Meditation by Pope Benedict XVI

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are still in the light of the Feast of the Assumption, which — as I said — is a Feast of hope. Mary has arrived in Heaven and this is our destination: we can all reach Heaven. The question is: how? Mary has arrived there. It is she — the Gospel says — “who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Lk 1:45). Thus Mary believed, she entrusted herself to God, bent her will to the will of the Lord and so was truly on the most direct road, the road to Heaven. Believing, entrusting oneself to the Lord and complying with his will: this is the essential approach.

Today I do not want to talk about this whole journey of faith; I want to speak of only one small aspect of the life of prayer — which is life in contact with God — namely, meditation.

And what is meditation?

It means “remembering” all that God has done and not forgetting his many great benefits (cf. Ps 103[102]:2b).
We often see only the negative things; we must also keep in mind all that is positive, the gifts that God has made us; we must be attentive to the positive signs that come from God and must remember them. Let us therefore speak of a type of prayer which in the Christian tradition is known as “mental prayer”. We are usually familiar with vocal prayer. The heart and the mind must of course take part in this prayer.

However we are speaking today of a meditation that does not consist of words but rather is a way of making contact with the heart of God in our mind. And here Mary is a very real model. Luke the Evangelist repeated several times that Mary, “kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (2:19; cf. 2:51b). As a good custodian, she does not forget, she was attentive to all that the Lord told her and did for her, and she meditated, in other words she considered various things, pondering them in her heart. Therefore, she who “believed” in the announcement of the Angel and made herself the means of enabling the eternal Word of the Most High to become incarnate also welcomed in her heart the wonderful miracle of that human-divine birth; she meditated on it and paused to reflect on what God was working within her, in order to welcome the divine will in her life and respond to it. The mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God and of Mary’s motherhood is of such magnitude that it requires interiorization; it is not only something physical which God brought about within her, but is something that demanded interiorization on the part of Mary who endeavours to deepen her understanding of it, to interpret its meaning, to comprehend its consequences and implications. Thus, day after day, in the silence of ordinary life, Mary continued to treasure in her heart the sequence of marvellous events that she witnessed until the supreme test of the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection. Mary lived her life to the full, her daily duties, her role as a mother, but she knew how to reserve an inner space to reflect on the word and will of God, on what was occurring within her and on the mysteries of the life of her Son. In our time we are taken up with so many activities and duties, worries and problems: we often tend to fill all of the spaces of the day, without leaving a moment to pause and reflect and to nourish our spiritual life, contact with God. Mary teaches us how necessary it is to find in our busy day, moments for silent recollection, to meditate on what the Lord wants to teach us, on how he is present and active in the world and in our life: to be able to stop for a moment and meditate. St Augustine compares meditation on the mysteries of God to the assimilation of food and uses a verb that recurs throughout the Christian tradition, “to ruminate”; that is, the mysteries of God should continually resonate within us so that they become familiar to us, guide our lives and nourish us, as does the food we need to sustain us.
St Bonaventure, moreover, with reference to the words of Sacred Scripture, says that “they should always be ruminated upon so as to be able to gaze on them with ardent application of the soul,” (Coll. In Hex, ed. Quaracchi 1934, p. 218). To meditate, therefore, means to create within us a situation of recollection,

• of inner silence,
• in order to reflect upon and
• assimilate the mysteries of
  our faith and what God is working within us;
• and not merely on the things that come and go.

We may undertake this “rumination” in various ways: for example, by taking a brief passage of Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles or the Letters of the Apostles, or a passage from a spiritual author that brings us closer and makes the reality of God more present in our day; or we can even, ask our confessor or spiritual director to recommend something to us.

By reading and reflecting on what we have read, dwelling on it, trying to understand what it is saying to me, what it says today, to open our spirit to what the Lord wants to tell us and teach us. The Holy Rosary is also a prayer of meditation: in repeating the Hail Mary we are asked to think about and reflect on the Mystery which we have just proclaimed. But we can also reflect on some intense spiritual experience, or on words that stayed with us when we were taking part in the Sunday Eucharist.

So, you see, there are many ways to meditate and thereby to make contact with God and to approach God; and in this way, to be journeying on towards Heaven. Dear friends, making time for God regularly is a fundamental element for spiritual growth; it will be the Lord himself who gives us the taste for his mysteries, his words, his presence and action, for feeling how beautiful it is when God speaks with us; he will enable us to understand more deeply what he expects of me. This, ultimately, is the very aim of meditation: to entrust ourselves increasingly to the hands of God, with trust and love, certain that in the end it is only by doing his will that we are truly happy.

Reparation: Thoughts on the Abandonment of 8th by the Majority of Irish Voters

Reparation

In the light of what has happened this week in Ireland, I believe that it is time for us to look again at the concept of Reparation, and to offer ourselves like Christ our Lord for others.

In theology, reparation is the making of amends for insults given to God through sin, either one’s own or another’s.

We need to response to sin in society. We need to respond to Ireland’s sin. We need to do so by uniting with Christ our Lord in making be reparation for the Sin of the World, through adoration, prayer, and sacrifice.

Reparation is motivated by a loving gratitude to God for all that he has done and a deep love desiring to reconcile all men and women, and all of creation to God’s will.

In Catholic Tradition we understand that mankind has fallen from an original state of grace in which we were created, and that through the incarnation, passion, and death of Jesus Christ, we have been redeemed and restored again to Children of God.

By Christ’s loving submission to the will of the Father, expressed in his abandonment to his passion and death on the cross, Jesus Our Lord has atoned for mankind’s disobedience and sin.

Man is restored to grace through the merits of Christ’s death.

Through the grace of Baptism, we are in union with Christ the Lord. This union, this free gift or grace, enables us to share in Christ’s act of reconciliation by adding our prayers, works, trials to those of Our Lord “and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24). We join with Christ in praying “Father forgive them they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

The Eucharist is specially suited to make reparation for sin, where our self-offering as believers in union with Christ’s abandonment to the Father is fulfilled.

Celebrating the Eucharist and there receiving Holy Communion as part of a first Friday devotion is a Catholic devotion to offer

reparations for sins through the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In many Catholic communities the practice of the Holy Hour of meditation during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during the First Fridays is encouraged.

Rather than only criticising the false reasoning of those who voted, knowingly and unknowingly, to permit the killing of the innocent in Abortion, we need to join with Christ in atoning for our sin and that of all mankind.

Please pray, and continue to pray,  Damian Ryan

This woman of faith, Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of God, has been given to us as a model in our pilgrimage of faith.

HOLY MASS AT THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. MATTHEW

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II

Washington
Saturday, 6 October 1979

Mary says to us today: “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say” (Lk 1:38).

And with those words, she expresses what was the fundamental attitude of her life: her faith! Mary believed! She trusted in God’s promises and was faithful to his will. When the angel Gabriel announced that she was chosen to be the Mother of the Most High, she gave her “Fiat” humbly and with full freedom: ” Let it be done to me as you say”. Perhaps the best description of Mary and, at the same time the greatest tribute to her, was the greeting of her cousin Elizabeth: “Blessed is she who trusted that God’s words to her would be fulfilled” (Lk 1 :45). For it was that continual trust in the providence of God which most characterized her faith.

All her earthly life was a “pilgrimage of faith” (cf. Lumen Gеntium, 58). For like us she walked in shadows and hoped for things unseen. She knew the contradictions of our earthly life. She was promised that her son would be given David’s throne, but at his birth, there was no room even at the inn. Mary still believed. The angel said her child would be called the Son of God; but she would see him slandered, betrayed and condemned, and left to die as a thief on the Cross. Even yet, Mary “trusted that God’s words to her would be fulfilled” (Lk 1 :45), and that “nothing was impossible with God” (Lk 1 :37).

This woman of faith, Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of God, has been given to us as a model in our pilgrimage of faith. From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things. From Mary, we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary, we learn to love Christ, her Son and the Son of God. For Mary is not only the Mother of God, she is Mother of the Church as well. In every stage of the march through history, the Church has benefited from the prayer and protection of the Virgin Mary. Holy Scripture and the experience of the faithful see the Mother of God as the one who in a very special way is united with the Church at the most difficult moments in her history, when attacks on the Church become most threatening. Precisely in periods when Christ, and therefore his Church, provokes premeditated contradiction, Mary appears particularly close to the Church, because for her the Church is always her beloved Christ.

I therefore exhort you in Christ Jesus, to continue to look to Mary as the model of the Church, as the best example of the discipleship of Christ. Learn from her to be always faithful, to trust that God’s word to you will be fulfilled, and that nothing is impossible with God. Turn to Mary frequently in your prayer “for never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help or sought her intercession was left unaided”.

As a great sign that has appeared in the heavens, Mary guides and sustains us on our pilgrim way, urging us on to “the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” (1 Jn 5 :5).

Manister’s Own; Community Notes: 26th May to the 3rd June 2018

POPE FRANCIS: ON THE TRINITY

“The Christian community, though with all its human limitations, can become a reflection of the communion of the Trinity, of its goodness and beauty,” Pope Francis said on Jun 11th 2017

“But this passes necessarily through the experience of the mercy of God, of his pardon.”

The Pope’s address on Trinity Sunday 2017 reflected on the “mystery of the identity of God,” which so affected St. Paul.

“God is not distant and closed in on himself,” Francis reflected, “but rather is the Life which wishes to give itself; God is openness; is the Love which redeems man’s infidelity.”

God’s revelation “has come to completion in the New Testament thanks to words of Christ and to his mission of salvation,” he said.

Christ “has shown us the face of God, One in substance and Triune in Persons; God is all and only Love, in a subsisting relationship that creates, redeems, and sanctifies all: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

The Son of God showed that God first sought us, and revealed that eternal life is precisely “the immeasurable and gratuitous love of the Father that Jesus gave on the Cross, offering his life for our salvation.”

“And this love, by the action of the Holy Spirit, has irradiated a new light upon the earth and in every human heart that welcomes it.”

“May the Virgin Mary “help us to enter ever more, with our whole selves, into the Trinitarian Communion, to live and bear witness to the love that gives sense to our existence,” Pope Francis concluded.

 

DIOCESAN CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION

You are invited to attend the Procession on the Feast of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Corpus Christi) on Sunday 3^rd June. Gathering at St Michael’s Church after the 4.30m Mass. The procession will proceed from St. Michael’s to St. John’s Cathedral.

The children who received their First Holy Communion throughout the diocese are particularly welcome to attend and join in the procession in the Holy Communion attire. All are Welcome!

BRAINBOX’S PERFECT QUIZ

1. Which two countries are ‘The Low Countries’?
2. What was St. Luke’s profession?
3. What was Crocodile Dundee’s first name?
4. In the Old Testament how many sons did Jacob have?
5. How many legs does an arachnids have?

INKLINGS

Whenever I find myself in the cellar of affliction, I always look for the wine. (Samuel Rutherford)

 

There are two times to keep your mouth shut: when swimming and when angry. (Anon)

 

There are no atheists because times like those bring us face to face with our limitations. (Rabbi Harold Kushner)

 

My father did not tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. (Clarence Budington Kelland)

 

Tell me how it is that in this room there are three candles but one light and I will explain to you the mode of divine existence. (John Wisley)

 

All too often a clear conscience is merely the result of a bad memory. (Ancient proverb)

 

A bad conscience is a snake in ones heart. (Yiddish proverb)

 

A woman deserves no credit for her beauty at 16 but beauty at 60 is her souls doing. (Anon)

 

“When God laughs at the soul and the soul laughs back at God, the persons of the Trinity are begotten. When the Father laughs at the Son and the Son laughs back at the Father, that laughter gives pleasure, that pleasure gives joy, that joy gives love, and that love is the Holy Spirit.”

(Meister Eckhart)

 

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ

(1) The Netherlands and Belgium. (2) A Physician.

(3) Mick. (4) 12. (5) Eight.

 

 

INNIU SA STAIR:

CIE announced the closure of the Grand Canal to commercial traffic in Dec 1959. However, a few boats continued to transport Guinness into 1960. On this day 27^thMay in 1960, there was only one barge being loaded with a large cargo of Guinness in the Grand Canal Harbour at James Street. Around tea-time, the loading was complete, and the 51M, heavily laden and very deep in the water, started its Bolinder engine and glided noisily out of the harbour. This would never happen again.

The 51M was manufactured by Vickers (Ireland) in 1928 was one of a number of boats used to carry cargo from Dublin city centre, and became known as a Guinness barge.

This was last barge to Limerick with a cargo of Guinness. Unlike other boats, 51M was not sold off in the 1960s but was kept by CIÉ for maintenance use on the canal.

From then on Guinness was delivered CIE to a special depot on Caries Road Limerick by rail.

Guinness originally had a fleet of ten barges which commenced working on the river in 1927.

In 2010, 50 years after it carried the last commercial cargo 51M began retracing its historic journey. The anniversary was being marked by Waterways Ireland and the Heritage Boat Association.

In the recreation, in keeping with its last journey, 51M departed Dublin again with a number of original Guinness casks as its cargo. The sons, daughter, grandson, granddaughter of the original skipper, the late Tommy McCormack, as well as some of the boatmen from the 1950s were crewing the boat. After a number of stops in Dublin she headed west to Tullamore Harbour at the end of May, where 68M then took over the journey from calling at Shannon Harbour on the Grand Canal and Banagher and Killaloe on the Shannon. After negotiating the double lock at Ardnacrusha 68M turned into the Abbey River and headed to Limerick Docks.

68M was skippered by Gerry Burke, assisted by Andy Maloney, Bert Conroy and Sean Anderson, three former boatmen who brought Guinness to Limerick in the 1950s.

Volunteers for the WMOF – deadline 31st May

Up to 10,000 volunteers are needed around the events in August.  The cut-off date for expressions of interest on volunteering is the end of this month – 31st May.

 

 

 

PHONE NUMBERS

Fr. Damian Ryan P.P.

087-2274412

Email: 4dlord@gmail.com

Website: http://www.4dlord.wordpress.com

 

Fr Michael Hanley

086 8595733

 

Sacristan: Moire O’Connell:

Tel. 086-3612424

 

Finance Committee Chairperson:

John Browne:

Tel. 061-397426

 

Pastoral Council Chairperson:

Mrs. Ann Murphy:

Tel. 087-7610578

 

Ladies Club:

Marian Toomey:

Tel. 061-397379

 

Community Hall Committee:

Jim O’ Connell:

Tel. 086-3468006

 

Manister Drama Club:

Marcella Byrnes:

Tel. 085-8448814

 

Garda Siochana Croom

Tel 061 397240

 

 

Manister Community Text Alert

Connor             (086) 810 9923

Eamonn          (086) 345 6078

Mary                (087) 7499107

Limerick Corpus Christi Procession: June 3rd 2018

Limerick Corpus Christi Procession

 

You are invited to attend the Diocesan Corpus Christi Procession on the Feast of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Corpus Christi) on Sunday 3^rd June. Gathering at St Michael’s Church after the 4.30m Mass. The procession will proceed from St. Michael’s  to St. John’s Cathedral.

The children who received their First Holy Communion throughout the diocese are particularly welcome to attend and join in the procession in the Holy Communion attire.

All are Welcome!

 

Manister’s Own & Community Notes: 19th May to the 27th May 2018

PENTECOST SUNDAYPOPE FRANCIS: ON THE

7 GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Wisdom is first and the greatest of the gifts. It acts upon both the intellect and will. “Understanding is a view taken by the mind, while the Wisdom is an experience undergone by the heart; one is light, the other love, and so they unite and complete one another.” Wisdom is the perfection of the theological virtue of charity;

Understanding helps a person understand that the mysteries of God are credible; and not unreasonable.

Counsel is a supernatural intuition, to enable a person to judge promptly and rightly, especially in difficult situations. It perfects the cardinal virtue of prudence and operates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Fortitude is endurance. A willingness to stand up bravely for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, abuse, or physical harm. Knowledge: The gift of knowledge allows us to see things from God’s perspective. It “allows us to perceive the greatness of God and his love for his creatures” through creation.

Piety recognizes our total reliance on God in humility, trust, and love. Pope Francis said that piety is a recognition of “our belonging to God, a relationship that gives meaning to our whole life even during the most difficult and troubled moments”.

In Fear of the Lord one is made aware of the glory and majesty of God. “It is not servile fear, but rather a joyful awareness of God’s greatness and a realization that only in him do our hearts find true peace”. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all one desires. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is actually the perfection of the theological virtue of hope.

Volunteers for the WMOF – deadline 31st May

Up to 10,000 volunteers are needed around the events in August. 

The cut-off date for expressions of interest on volunteering is the end of this month – 31st May.

24 Hours Adoration For Ireland

St. Michael’s Church

Manister

9.30 am Mon 21^st May

To

Tues 22^nd May 9.30am

 

 Lifts for Life on Referendum Day

Limerick Pro Life Action Now,

If you need a lift to the polling station, we will do our best to send a driver your way.

 

To get a lift or volunteer please contact….

Olive 085-7172970

John 087-1127477

Mike 083-8892137

Or visit www.aliftforlife.com

Any amount of time volunteered will be greatly appreciated.

INKLINGS

I known men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not just a man. (Napoleon Bonaparte)

 

If you tell the truth you have an infinite power supporting you; but if not, you have an infinite power against you. (General Charles Gordon)

 

Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep. (Br. Lawrence)

 

Cocaine is God’s way of telling you that you have got too much money. (Sting)

 

What a shaking thing

The truth can be,

Especially when found

On the family tree. (Anon)

 

In America anyone may grow up to be president, and I suppose it’s just one of the risks we take. (Adlai Stevenson)

 

Our actions are the best witness of our thoughts. (Anon)

 

Don’t be so humble. You’re not that great. (Golda Meir)

 

Ads are the ‘cave art’ of the 20^th   century. (Marshall McLuhan)

 

BRAINBOX’S  PERFECT QUIZ

1. The Savoy is a variety of what vegetable?
2. Who is the author of the Acts of the Apostles?
3. Which famous escapologist was born Erich Weiss?
4. St. Peter came from what town?
5. The sackbut was an old name for which instrument?

 

INNIU SA STAIR:

 

    On this day the 20^th May in 1311: the Battle of Bunratty took place. A war that had been going on and off for decades as the O’Briens fought with one another to control their land. The chief antagonists at the time of this battle were King Dermot O’Brien and King Donough O’Brien. The King of England’s at the beginning of May issued instructions that war cease which both sides promptly ignored!

Donough O’Brien had the support of the de Burghs of Connacht while Dermot O’Brien had the support of Richard de Clare a decendant of Strongbow based in Bunratty Castle and town.

The de Burghs, led by William de Burgh himself, invaded Clare to support their protégé and clashed with Richard de Clare’s men near or at Bunratty. While the de Burghs of Connaght won the tactical battle disaster befell them when William de Burgh was taken prisoner while he was following up the rout; yet it was he that had the triumph of that battle. Donough O’Brien fled the field of battle. Many died in the brutal battle and a great deal of booty was taken.

None of this however ended the War and even though King Donough was treacherously killed later that year and Dermot died in 1313 the dispute lingered on for many more years. Richard de Clare was also killed later in 1311, and in 1314 the town of Bunratty was burned to the ground by the local people. The castle was again attacked but it did not fall until 1318. In that year a major battle was fought at Dysert O’Dea as part of the Irish Bruce Wars, in which both Thomas De Clare and his son Richard were killed. Lady De Clare, on learning this, fled from Bunratty to Limerick after burning castle and town. The De Clare family never returned to the area and the remains of the castle eventually collapsed. As the stones were likely used for other local construction works, no traces remain of this second castle. The castle was sacked in 1332.

The fourth castle, the present structure, was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425. Its builder may have been one Maccon Sioda MacNamara, chieftain of Clann Cuilein (i.e. the MacNamaras). He died before the castle was completed which happened under his son Sean Finn (died in 1467).

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ

(1) The cabbage. (2) St. Luke.

(3) Harry Houdini. (4) Capernaum. (5) The trombone.

 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT GRIEF AND LOSS AND HOW TO SUPPORT THE BEREAVED?

Milford Care Centre is offering a Bereavement Support Education Programme, on Wed 19th Sept 2018 and will run over 12 consecutive Wed evenings and a non-residential weekend on 5th – 7th Oct 2018. Fees apply and some bursaries are available.

This programme is aimed at anyone who is interested in learning more about the grief experience and how to support bereaved people in an informal setting.

     An Information Evening for the programme is taking place on Wed 16^th May 2018 at 7.00pm in Milford Care Centre, Castletroy, Limerick and anyone interested should attend this evening to see if the programme will meet their needs.

If you are interested or would like to get more information, please contact Estelle McGinley (Social Work Department) at 061 485822 or Geraldine Aherne, (Education Department) at 061 485841.

 

PHONE NUMBERS

Fr. Damian Ryan P.P.

087-2274412

Email: 4dlord@gmail.com

Website: http://www.4dlord.wordpress.com

 

Fr Michael Hanley

086 8595733

 

Sacristan: Moire O’Connell:

Tel. 086-3612424

 

Finance Committee Chairperson:

John Browne:

Tel. 061-397426

 

Pastoral Council Chairperson:

Mrs. Ann Murphy:

Tel. 087-7610578

 

Ladies Club:

Marian Toomey:

Tel. 061-397379

 

Community Hall Committee:

Jim O’ Connell:

Tel. 086-3468006

 

Manister Drama Club:

Marcella Byrnes:

Tel. 085-8448814

 

Garda Siochana Croom

Tel 061 397240

 

 

Manister Community Text Alert

Connor             (086) 810 9923

Eamonn          (086) 345 6078

Mary                (087) 7499107

Bill Condon RIP, Taylors Cross, Fedamore, Co. Limerick: Funeral Arrangements

Please pray for

Bill Condon, RIP

‘The Bungalow’,

Taylors Cross,

Fedamore, Co. Limerick.

Husband of the late Mary. Deeply regretted by his

daughters Olive and Cora,

grandchildren Roisín, Isaac, Aibhílín,

sons-in-law Chris and Martin,

nephews, nieces,

Bill’s friend Noreen,

all other relatives and friends.

 

Funeral Arrramgements

Reposing Sunday at

Cross’ Funeral Home, Ballyneety from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Removal to St. John the Baptist Church.

Requiem Mass Mass Monday at 12 noon.

Funeral afterwards to Fedamore New Cemetery

Family flowers only.

Donations, if desired, to Milford Care Centre.

May he rest in Peace

THE DIDACHE: the teaching of the Twelve Apostles

The Didache

(DOCTRINE OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES)

A short treatise which was accounted by some of the Fathers as next to Holy Scripture. It was rediscovered in 1873 by Bryennios, Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Nicomedia, in the codex from which, in 1875, he had published the full text of the Epistles of St. Clement.

For convenience the contents may be divided into three parts:

• the first is the “Two Ways”, the Way of Life and the Way of Death;
• the second part is a rituale dealing with baptism, fasting, and Holy Communion;
• the third speaks of the ministry.

The Didache

The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations.

Chapter 1. The Two Ways; The First Commandment

There are two ways, one of life and one of death; but a great difference between the two ways. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love God who made you; second, your neighbour as yourself; and all things whatsoever you would should not occur to you, do not also do to another. And of these sayings the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there, if you love those who love you? Do not also the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain from fleshly and worldly lusts. If someone gives you a blow upon your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you shall be perfect. If someone impresses you for one mile, go with him two. If someone takes away your cloak, give him also your coat. If someone takes from you what is yours, ask it not back, for indeed you are not able. Give to every one that asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). Happy is he that gives according to the commandment; for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receives; for if one having need receives, he is guiltless; but he that receives not having need, shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what, and, coming into straits (confinement), he shall be examined concerning the things which he has done, and he shall not escape thence until he pay back the last farthing. Matthew 5:26 But also now concerning this, it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give.

Chapter 2. The Second Commandment: Gross Sin Forbidden

And the second commandment of the Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, Exodus 20:13-14 you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, Exodus 20:15 you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is begotten. You shall not covet the things of your neighbour, Exodus 20:17 you shall not forswear yourself, Matthew 5:34 you shall not bear false witness, Exodus 20:16 you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbour. You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life.

Chapter 3. Other Sins Forbidden

My child, flee from every evil thing, and from every likeness of it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads the way to murder; neither jealous, nor quarrelsome, nor of hot temper; for out of all these murders are engendered. My child, be not a lustful one; for lust leads the way to fornication; neither a filthy talker, nor of lofty eye; for out of all these adulteries are engendered. My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leads the way to idolatry; neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a purifier, nor be willing to took at these things; for out of all these idolatry is engendered. My child, be not a liar, since a lie leads the way to theft; neither money-loving, nor vainglorious, for out of all these thefts are engendered. My child, be not a murmurer, since it leads the way to blasphemy; neither self-willed nor evil-minded, for out of all these blasphemies are engendered. But be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Be long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and gentle and good and always trembling at the words which you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself, Luke 18:14 nor give over-confidence to your soul. Your soul shall not be joined with lofty ones, but with just and lowly ones shall it have its intercourse. The workings that befall you receive as good, knowing that apart from God nothing comes to pass.

Chapter 4. Various Precepts

My child, him that speaks to you the word of God remember night and day; and you shall honour him as the Lord; for in the place whence lordly rule is uttered, there is the Lord. And you shall seek out day by day the faces of the saints, in order that you may rest upon their words. You shall not long for division, but shall bring those who contend to peace. You shall judge righteously, you shall not respect persons in reproving for transgressions. You shall not be undecided whether it shall be or no. Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to receive and a drawer of them back to give. If you have anything, through your hands you shall give ransom for your sins. You shall not hesitate to give, nor murmur when you give; for you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire. You shall not turn away from him that is in want, but you shall share all things with your brother, and shall not say that they are your own; for if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things which are mortal? You shall not remove your hand from your son or from your daughter, but from their youth shall teach them the fear of God. Ephesians 6:4 You shall not enjoin anything in your bitterness upon your bondman or maidservant, who hope in the same God, lest ever they shall fear not God who is over both; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1 for he comes not to call according to the outward appearance, but unto them whom the Spirit has prepared. And you bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God, in modesty and fear. Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22 You shall hate all hypocrisy and everything which is not pleasing to the Lord. Forsake in no way the commandments of the Lord; but you shall keep what you have received, neither adding thereto nor taking away therefrom . Deuteronomy 12:32 In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.

Chapter 5. The Way of Death

And the way of death is this: First of all it is evil and full of curse: murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, witchcrafts, rapines, false witnessings, hypocrisies, double-heartedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness, filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness; persecutors of the good, hating truth, loving a lie, not knowing a reward for righteousness, not cleaving to good nor to righteous judgment, watching not for that which is good, but for that which is evil; from whom meekness and endurance are far, loving vanities, pursuing requital, not pitying a poor man, not labouring for the afflicted, not knowing Him that made them, murderers of children, destroyers of the handiwork of God, turning away from him that is in want, afflicting him that is distressed, advocates of the rich, lawless judges of the poor, utter sinners. Be delivered, children, from all these.

Chapter 6. Against False Teachers, and Food Offered to Idols

See that no one cause you to err from this way of the Teaching, since apart from God it teaches you. For if you are able to bear all the yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you are not able, what you are able that do. And concerning food, bear what you are able; but against that which is sacrificed to idols be exceedingly on your guard; for it is the service of dead gods.

Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism

And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 in living water. But if you have not living water, baptize into other water; and if you can not in cold, in warm. But if you have not either, pour out water thrice upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whatever others can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.

Chapter 8. Concerning Fasting and Prayer (the Lord’s Prayer)

But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites; Matthew 6:16 for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday). Neither pray as the hypocrites; but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, thus pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us today our daily (needful) bread, and forgive us our debt as we also forgive our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (or, evil); for Yours is the power and the glory for ever. Thrice in the day thus pray.

Chapter 9. The Thanksgiving (Eucharist)

Now concerning the Thanksgiving (Eucharist), thus give thanks. First, concerning the cup: We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory for ever. And concerning the broken bread: We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom; for Yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever. But let no one eat or drink of your Thanksgiving (Eucharist), but they who have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord has said, Give not that which is holy to the dogs. Matthew 7:6

Chapter 10. Prayer After Communion

But after you are filled, thus give thanks: We thank You, holy Father, for Your holy name which You caused to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which You made known to us through Jesus Your Servant; to You be the glory for ever. You, Master almighty, created all things for Your name’s sake; You gave food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to You; but to us You freely gave spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Your Servant. Before all things we thank You that You are mighty; to You be the glory for ever. Remember, Lord, Your Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Your love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Your kingdom which You have prepared for it; for Yours is the power and the glory for ever. Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God (Son) of David! If any one is holy, let him come; if any one is not so, let him repent. Maran atha. Amen. But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as much as they desire.

Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets

Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turn and teach another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not; but if he teach so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, according to the decree of the Gospel, thus do. Let every apostle that comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain except one day; but if there be need, also the next; but if he remain three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges; but if he ask money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet that speaks in the Spirit you shall neither try nor judge; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. But not every one that speaks in the Spirit is a prophet; but only if he hold the ways of the Lord. Therefore from their ways shall the false prophet and the prophet be known. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit eats not from it, except indeed he be a false prophet; and every prophet who teaches the truth, if he do not what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved true, working unto the mystery of the Church in the world, yet not teaching others to do what he himself does, shall not be judged among you, for with God he has his judgment; for so did also the ancient prophets. But whoever says in the Spirit, Give me money, or something else, you shall not listen to him; but if he says to you to give for others’ sake who are in need, let no one judge him.

Chapter 12. Reception of Christians

But let every one that comes in the name of the Lord be received, and afterward you shall prove and know him; for you shall have understanding right and left. If he who comes is a wayfarer, assist him as far as you are able; but he shall not remain with you, except for two or three days, if need be. But if he wills to abide with you, being an artisan, let him work and eat; 2 Thessalonians 3:10 but if he has no trade, according to your understanding see to it that, as a Christian, he shall not live with you idle. But if he wills not to do, he is a Christ-monger. Watch that you keep aloof from such.

Chapter 13. Support of Prophets

But every true prophet that wills to abide among you is worthy of his support. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support. Matthew 10:10; cf. Luke 10:7 Every first-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, you shall take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you have not a prophet, give it to the poor. If you make a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according to the commandment. So also when you open a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give it to the prophets; and of money (silver) and clothing and every possession, take the first-fruit, as it may seem good to you, and give according to the commandment.

Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day

But every Lord’s day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.

Chapter 15. Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof

Therefore, appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men meek, and not lovers of money, 1 Timothy 3:4 and truthful and proven; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers. Despise them not therefore, for they are your honoured ones, together with the prophets and teachers. And reprove one another, not in anger, but in peace, as you have it in the Gospel; Matthew 18:15-17 but to every one that acts amiss against another, let no one speak, nor let him hear anything from you until he repents. But your prayers and alms and all your deeds so do, as you have it in the Gospel of our Lord.

Chapter 16. Watchfulness; The Coming of the Lord

Watch for your life’s sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord comes. Matthew 24:42 But often shall you come together, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you be not made perfect in the last time. For in the last days false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate; Matthew 24:11-12 for when lawlessness increases, they shall hate and persecute and betray one another, Matthew 24:10 and then shall appear the world-deceiver as the Son of God, and shall do signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered into his hands, and he shall do iniquitous things which have never yet come to pass since the beginning. Then shall the creation of men come into the fire of trial, and many shall be made to stumble and shall perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved from under the curse itself. And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven; then the sign of the sound of the trumpet; and the third, the resurrection of the dead; yet not of all, but as it is said: The Lord shall come and all His saints with Him. Then shall the world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.