May 21
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeTuesday in Easter Week
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. I S. John 3:2.
As the full life of the blessed is hid even from the Saints here, and from that Ineffable Light which it is there flash forth only some gleams of bliss, in fervent prayer, in sacraments, in contemplation of our Lord, which come to us as angel-tokens from His presence, so throughout our life we know not what we are. We see ourselves, as we are, encompassed by death, and amidst this death have earnests of life. We have "the first-fruits of the Spirit," love, faith, and hope; but since our love is imperfect, so is our life and our sense of life. The Source of our life is our Lord, hidden in God, streaming forth upon us through the blessed Comforter, discovering itself in holy aspirations, the "unutterable groanings" wherewith we long to be free from our remaining death, hidden strength, unseen victories; but since it is hidden, we must not long for it as though it were already revealed. Had we the fulness of that life, it were heaven itself. We have at one time the brightness of His presence, at another it is veiled from us, that we may be cheered onward when it is shining upon us and humbled when it is withdrawn; that in its brightness we may lose all other love, in its withdrawal hate ourselves and our sins. The "pillar of fire" or "the cloud" shall alike conduct us night and day to the Canaan of our everlasting rest and joy.
Holy Saviour, Friend unseen, Since on Thine Arm Thou bidst me lean, Help me throughout life's varying scene By faith to cling to Thee.