May 25
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeSaturday in Easter Week
Use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 1 Corinthians 7:31.
Use, then, rather the very things of time and sense, whereby others are drawn down to the world, to rise thereby to God. All has been hallowed since they have been used by Him Who, being God, for us became man. Let us take, then, our food as from His Hand, Who is Himself the Food of Angels and our own; lie down to rest, as longing, although unworthy, to rest in Him; rise, as from death, to live anew the life of Him; gaze not on anything fair, but in it to behold Him; through what is seen, rise to Him Who is Unseen; in a word, whatever we do, fast or feast, labour or rest, learn or teach, behold what He has spread around us, or close our eyes, seek in all to see Him, to live to Him, and He Who is our Life will pour His hidden Life into our souls, will blind our eyes and stop our ears to this world's tinsel show and false unreal vanities, and open them to hear His own saving cheering Voice, and to see the Image of His beauty, and He will pierce us with the sweetness of His love, and lift up our hearts to long for Him, their never-failing, ever-satisfying Fulness.
All things speak from Thee, every sun that shines Sets forth Thine image, and each day's return Is herald of the morn that ne'er declines; The bright recovering year, at every turn Speaks of that great new year, where all things burn In glorious beauty round the Source of light. All are Thy teachers, grant us to discern Their heavenly lessons; cleanse our mortal sight, We have enough to preach, did we but hear aright.