"Everyone will receive their just reward, not according to the authority they exercise, but according to the labor they perform. Know, brothers and sisters, the fruit of souls is most pleasing to God, and it can be better attained by peace with clerics than by disagreements with them. If they hinder the salvation of people, the revenge pertains to God and He will repay them in due time. Therefore, be subject to prelates, so that, in so far as you can help it, no jealousy will spring up. If you will be sons and daughters of peace, you will win the clergy and the people of the Lord, and the Lord judges this more acceptable than to win the people but scandalize the clergy. Hide their lapses, supply for their many defects; and when you have done this, be even more humble."
Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
Chapter CVII
T
He who honors a priest honors Christ; he who insults a priest insults Christ.
ReplyDeleteSt. John Chrysostom