By Hermas
I said to him, "Sir, I do not
see the meaning of these similitudes, nor am I able to comprehend them, unless
you explain them to me." "I will explain them all to you," he
said, "and whatever I shall mention in the course of our conversations I
will show you. [Keep the commandments of the Lord, and you will be approved,
and inscribed amongst the number of those who observe His commands.] And if you
do any good beyond what is commanded by God, you will gain for yourself more
abundant glory, and will be more honored by God than you would otherwise be.
If, therefore, in keeping the commandments of God, you do, in addition, these
services, you will have joy if you observe them according to my command."
I said to him, "Sir, whatsoever you enjoin upon me I will observe, for I
know that you are with me." "I will be with you," he replied,
"because you have such a desire for doing good; and I will be with all
those," he added, "who have such a desire.
"Fasting," he continued,
"is very good, provided the commandments of the Lord be observed. Thus,
then, shall you observe . . . First of all, be on your guard
against every evil word, and every evil desire, and purify your heart from all
the vanities of this world. If you guard against these things, your fasting
will be perfect. And you will do also as follows. Having fulfilled what is written, in the day
on which you fast you will taste nothing but bread and water; and having
reckoned up the price of the dishes of that day which you intended to have
eaten, you will give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to some person in want,
and thus you will exhibit humility of mind, so that he who has received benefit
from your humility may fill his own soul, and pray for you to the Lord. If you
observe fasting, as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable to
God, and this fasting will be written down; and the service thus performed is
noble, and sacred, and acceptable to the Lord. These things, therefore, shall
you thus observe with your children and all of your house, and in observing
them you will be blessed; and as many as hear these words and observe them
shall be blessed; and whatsoever they ask of the Lord they shall receive."
(The Fifth Similitude, chapter 3)
A second century author; Hermas is
known only through the autobiographical details given in his work titled “The
Shepherd”. A Christian slave who was
given his freedom, he became a wealthy merchant, lost his property, and did
penance for past sins.
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