But in whatever anyone dares (to boast about)…
I am speaking in foolishness
… I too dare:
Are they Hebrews?
So am I too.
Are they Israelites?
So am I too.
Are they descendants of Abraham?
So am I too
Are they servants of Christ?
– I am speaking as a madman –
I am more:
with more works,
more imprisonments
more beatings
many times facing death.
(That is …) from the Jews
Five times I received the forty lashes less one.
Three times I was beaten with a rod.
Once I was stoned
Three times I was shipwrecked
I have spent a night and day on the open sea.
On journeys many times
in danger from rivers
in dangers from bandits
in dangers from my own people
in dangers from gentiles
in dangers in the city
in dangers in the desert
in dangers on the sea
in dangers from false brothers
in toil and hardships
with many sleepless nights
in hunger and thirst
often without food
cold and naked
not to mention other things…
the burden on me
every day
my concern for all the churches.
Who is weak – am I not weak?
Who is made to stumble – and I do not burn with anger?
If it is necessary to boast, I will boast about my weaknesses…
Teach us, good Lord,
to serve thee as thou deservest;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labour and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do thy will,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
St Ignatius