September 8
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeEighth Sunday after Trinity
Ye shall know them by their fruits. S. Matthew 7:16.
GOOD men are often evil spoken of by the world, as was the case with our Lord Himself; whereas bad men may be like whited sepulchres, beautiful without, but within full of uncleanness. How are we to know men from their fruits? The fact is, that there will ever shine forth from a sincere, good man a clear and consistent light which cannot be hid. If any one takes diligent care of his own heart, this cannot but be seen in his words and actions, for from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. His life is of itself an unmistakable living language; deeds are the very tongue of the heart. Shall we look for the sweet fruits of charity from the mere briers and thistles of party spirit and controversy? If we know that any man denies himself daily—that he is meek and gentle under trying provocation—that he is indifferent to the things of the world, and sacrifices his worldly interest without scruple to preserve his Christian principle,—then with him we may expect to find the truth; but more particularly if he denies himself in that which would naturally be his ruling passion or desire, for this we know cannot be done without the especial grace of God.
Free choice doth man possess of good or ill, All were but mockery else. From Wisdom's way Too oft perverted by the tainted will, To his rebellious nature drawn astray; Therefore an inward monitor is given, A voice that answers to the law of Heaven.
Frail as he is, and as an infant weak, The knowledge of his weakness is his strength; For succour is vouchsafed to those who seek In humble faith sincere: and when at length Death sets the disembodied spirit free, According to their deeds their lot shall be.