A certain man, named Simon
had practised magic
previously in the city,
and amazed the people of Samaria,
while saying he was someone great.
Whom all watched closely,
from the least to the greatest,
saying:
‘This (man?) is the power of God,
which is called Great.’
So they paid close attention to him,
because he amazed them
with magic
for a considerable time.
But when they believed Philip
as he preached about the Kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus,
they were baptised
men and also women.
Even
Simon
himself believed
and was baptised;
staying close to Philip
watching the signs and great miracles that happened,
he was amazed.
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