July 17
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeWednesday after Trinity Sunday
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. I S. John 5:7.
LET us examine ourselves, that we may see how mightily this doctrine of the Holy Trinity bears on our hearts and minds. It is a doctrine vast and all-important; it is the very foundation of our faith, the very groundwork of our religion. Religion is that which binds us to God. This doctrine of the Holy Trinity tells us about God; explains to us, so far as we can know it, the nature of God. Oh, then, let us "hold fast the form of sound words which we have heard." It is a precious legacy which has been handed down to us from the first; for "this is the Catholic faith;" that is, this is the faith of the Church of Christ in all ages and in all lands. Let us very earnestly pray and strive to keep this faith whole and undefiled. "The Holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge Thee; the Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true, and only Son; also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter." May we never speak on subjects like this without awe. May we never dispute without charity. May we never inquire without a careful endeavour with God's aid to sanctify our knowledge, and to impress it on our hearts as well as to store it in our understandings.
Eternal One, Almighty Trine! (Since Thou art ours, and we are Thine,) By all Thy love did once resign,
By all the grace Thy heavens still hide, We pray Thee, keep us at Thy side, Creator, Saviour, strengthening Guide!