July 21

First Sunday after Trinity

Beloved, let us love one another. I S. John 4:7.

WHY? "for love is of God;" for love is of all things the most Divine—the peculiar gift of God, the very mark of God's children. "Every one that loveth is born of God," and "knoweth God." He has that intimate vital union with God which, for want of a higher term to express it, is called knowledge, though it passeth all understanding. This knowledge and love are indeed so united that they are like light and heat from one and the same flame. The more strongly to ensure this subject of love he puts the negative also: "He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is Love." This last expression is far more than all; he does not say that God is loving, or that He delights in love, or that He is the Author of love, but that He is Love. "If nothing else," says S. Augustine, "were said of love in the Scriptures, yet if the Spirit told us this only, that Love is God, we ought to require nothing more." How much does it contain! for if God is Love, then whenever we sin against Love in thought, word, or deed, in any matter, we sin against God.

Ah! earnest Christian, Hast thou within thy breast Sweet charity so meek and mild, Thy gentle constant-loving guest?

If in thy spirit she abide, Envy no more with thee will stay, No angry passions in thee hide, And malice all will pass away.

Then wilt thou know all lovely things, Wilt learn to suffer and forgive, And she will bear thee on her wings Almost to where the Angels live.

If not as yet her home be there, Oh, rest not till she dwells in thee; Thy Father seek in fervent prayer, And ask for holy charity.