The Way of Light
The Way of Light is this: if any man wants to journey to his
appointed home then he must put his whole heart into his work. To aid our steps
on the road, illumination has been given to us as follows — love your
Maker, fear your Creator, glorify him who redeemed you from death. Be simple in
heart, and rich in spirit. Shun the company of those who walk in the way of
death. Hate all that is not pleasing to God, hate all hypocrisy, and never
desert the commandments of the Lord. Do not proclaim your own importance but
keep a modest and humble mind. Do not seek to cover yourself in glory. Make no
evil plans against your neighbour. Keep away from the sin of presumption.
Love your neighbour more than your own life. Do not procure
abortion, do not commit infanticide. Do not withhold your discipline from your
son or your daughter but teach them the fear of God from their childhood
onwards. Do not covet your neighbour’s goods or avariciously hold on to your
own. Do not cultivate intimacy with the great but keep company with humble and
virtuous men. When tribulations come upon you, receive them as you would
receive good things, seeing that nothing happens without God. Do not equivocate
or speak in double meanings.
Share your goods with your neighbour and do not insist that they
are yours alone — for if you are sharers in that which is incorruptible,
how much more must you be sharers in that which is corruptible. Do not be in a
hurry to speak, for the tongue is a deadly snare. Keep your soul as pure as you
can. Do not be someone who stretches out his hands to take, and but keeps them
tight shut when it comes to giving. If anyone expounds the word of the Lord to
you, love them as the apple of your eye.
Keep the day of judgement in mind, day and night. Seek the daily
company of the people of God, either labouring by word of mouth — by going
among them, exhorting them and striving to save souls by the word — or
labouring with your hands, earning a ransom for your sins.
Do not hesitate to give, and give without grumbling: you will
discover who can be generous with his rewards. Keep the commandments you have
received, adding nothing and taking nothing away. Hold evil in detestation.
Make your decisions fairly and uprightly. Do not cause quarrels, but rather
bring together those who are in dispute and reconcile them. Confess your own
sins. Do not set about prayer when you have a bad conscience. This is the Way
of Light.
Source: The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings
From the “Epistle of
Barnabus”
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