St. Michael the Archangel Fraternity at 122 West Smith St, Apt. D, Hicksville, OH 43526 US - "The letter kills, but the spirit gives life"
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"The letter kills, but the spirit gives life" |
The Gospel was the Rule for Francis and his companions. He wanted to follow it exactly, and below is something he told his companions who wished to follow him: "The Apostle says: The letter kills, but the spirit gives life [II Corinthians 3:6] Those are killed by the letter who merely wish to know the words alone, so that they may be esteemed as wiser than others and be able to acquire great riches to give to their relatives and friends. In a similar way, those religious are killed by the letter who do not wish to follow the spirit of Scared Scripture, but only wish to know what the words are and how to interpret them to others. And those are given life by the spirit of Sacred Scripture who do not refer to themselves any text which they know or seek to know, but, by word and example, return everything to the most high Lord God to Whom every good belongs."