August 14

Fourth Wednesday after Trinity

Give, and it shall be given unto you. S. Luke 6:38.

SELF-DENIAL is a subject never out of place in Christian teaching. If the Saints of old gave their time, ought not we to deny ourselves, so that we too may say to Christ's poor, "Such as I have give I thee"? "Such as I have give I thee"—these are the words of S. Peter, but can we hear them without recognising the voice of S. Peter's Master and our Master saying, "Such as I had gave I thee; such as I have give I thee"? "I gave thee My Godhead, for so far as it was possible I laid it aside; emptied Myself of its glory so as to become like unto thee. I Who was rich in the ownership of all things, for thy sake became poor, that thou through My poverty mightest become rich." "I gave thee My life, for I laid it down for the sheep of My flock." "I gave thee My Blood, for I shed it for the remission of thy sins." "I give thee My Spirit, that He may guide thee into all truth, and enable thee to bear the fruits of all goodness." "I give thee My Body and My Blood, so that I may dwell in thee and thou in Me." "As I have given to thee all this, so I ask thee to give to Me something for the relief of My poor, for the enlargement of My kingdom. Not that thy gifts are profitable to Me, but they are profitable to thee."

Be brave, my brother! He Whom thou servest slights Not even His weakest one; No deed, though poor, shall be forgot, However feebly done.