Letter 52
5. Jerome explains to Nepotian that his military experience is not a sufficient guide to the clergyman's duties.
6.Jerome criticises the care shown by the priests to the elderly in order to get the inheritance.
7.Jerome exhorts Nepotian to be obedient to his bishop. He compares the relation between the bishop and presbyters to that between Aaron and his sons. He exhorts the presbyters to preach even in the presence of bishops.
8.The preacher should not seek the applause of the faithful. His preaching should be nourished by the Holy Scripture.
9.Jerome advises Nepotian how to dress: he should avoid both sombre and bright colours, excluding both showiness and slovenliness. True poverty is what should be sought.
10.Jerome says that if one uses the wealth of the Temple and cult of Jerusalem as an argument against the poverty of the Christian priests, he should also apply to them all the ritual rules of the Ancient Testament.
11.Jerome warns Nepotian against keeping company of the men of the world and drunkenness.
12.Jerome urges Nepotian to as much fasts as he can bear, if only they are reasonable and not superstitious.
15.Jerome recommends discretion while visiting the sick, which is the priest’s duty.
16.Jerome says that the presbyters should not seek gifts from the faithful, and they should rarely accept them. They should not arrange marriages between the faithful. They should not be managers of other people’s estates. He exhorts them to give everything they receive as alms.
(Summary: Stanislaw Adamiak)
