Be obedient to the bishop and to one another, as Jesus Christ was in the flesh to the Father, and the apostles to Christ and to the Father and to the Spirit, so that there may be unity in flesh and in spirit.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of obedience and unity within a community, reflecting the relationship between Jesus and the Father.
Ignatius of Antioch highlights the significance of obedience and mutual respect within a community of believers, paralleling the relationships between Jesus, the apostles, and the divine. By urging adherence to spiritual leadership and nurturing unity among members, the quote advocates for a harmonious existence that reflects the divine connection in the flesh and spirit. Such relationships foster strength and purpose, drawing upon the example set by Jesus and his followers.
In practice
This quote can be shared during community spiritual gatherings to emphasize the importance of unity.
Now do I begin to be a disciple of Christ, and care for nothing in this world, that so I may find Jesus. Let fire, or the cross, or wild beasts, or the breaking of my bones, or the cutting of me to pieces, or the shattering of my whole body, yea, all the tortures of the devil - let them all come upon me, only let me enjoy my God.
I greet you from Smyrna together with the Churches of God present here with me. They comfort me in every way, both in body and soul. My chains, which I carry about on me for Jesus Christ, begging that I may happily make my way to God, exhort you: persevere in your concord and in you community prayers.
I am writing to all the Churches and I enjoin all, that I am dying willingly for God's sake, if only you do not prevent it. I beg you, do not do me an untimely kindness. Allow me to be eaten by the beasts, which are my way of reaching to God. I am God's wheat, and I am to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts, so that I may become the pure bread of Christ.
Where the bishop is present, there is the Catholic Church
I am God's wheat and shall be ground by their teeth so that I may become Christ's pure bread.
I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God.
Give me the gift of a listening heart.
Where I come from," said Archie, "a bloke likes to get to know a girl before he marries her." "Where you come from it is customary to boil vegetables until they fall apart. This does not mean," said Samad tersely, "that it is a good idea.
Personally, I think if a women hasn't met the right man by the time she's 24, she may be lucky.
Help the people in your network. And let them help you.
Too many of us are lonely ministers practicing a lonely ministry.
It really is the relationship you have with your self that presents the key to the “kingdom”, so to speak... Fighting is good, but not when it is fighting yourself. Changing the world is good but first one has to start inside and concurrently make that place right. The strife and the ugliness in the world is the outward manifestation of this troubled relationship we have within on a whole.
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