Vigils Reading – St Ignatius of Antioch

A reading from

ST IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

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The last epoch has arrived! Therefore let us exercise restraint and fear lest

God’s long-suffering should turn to our condemnation. Obviously, we must

either fear the gathering storm of anger, or else cherish the present time of grace

– one of the two; only let us be found in union with Christ Jesus so as to possess

the true life. Apart from him, let nothing fascinate you. In union with him I carry

about these chains of mine – spiritual pearls they are! May I be privileged

through your prayer – in which I wish I may ever have a share – to wear them

when I rise from the dead! Thus I shall be found in the ranks of the Christians of

Ephesus, who have ever been of one mind with the Apostles through the power

of Jesus Christ…

Make an effort then, to meet more frequently to celebrate God’s Eucharist

and to offer praise. For, when you meet frequently in the same place, the forces

of Satan are overthrown, and his baneful influence is neutralized by the

unanimity of your faith. Peace is a precious thing: it puts an end to every war

waged by heavenly or earthly enemies.

Nothing of this escapes you; only persevere to the end in your faith in, and

your love for, Jesus Christ. Here is the beginning and the end of life: faith is the

beginning,”the end is love”; and when the two blend perfectly with each other,

they are God. Everything else that makes for right living is consequent upon

these. No one who professes faith sins; no one who possesses love hates. “The

tree is known by its fruit.”

In like manner, those who profess to belong to Christ will be known as

such by their conduct. Certainly, what matters now is not mere profession of

faith, but whether one is found to be actuated by it to the end.

It is better to keep silence and be something than to talk and be nothing.

Teaching is an excellent thing, provided the speaker practices what he teaches.

Now, there is one Teacher who “spoke and it was done.” But even what he did

silently is worthy of the Father. He who has made the words of Jesus really his

own is able also to hear His silence. Thus he will be perfect: he will act through

His speech and be understood through His silence.

Nothing is hidden from the Lord; no, even our secrets reach him. Let us,

then, do all things in the conviction that he dwells in us. Thus we shall be his

temples and he will be our God within us. And this is the truth, and it will be

made manifest before our eyes. Let us then, love him as he deserves.