January 26

Fourth Week in Advent.—Thursday

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:22, 23.

THAT we may obtain the great blessings (at the Holy Communion) we must have faith and penitence. Without these we shall receive the same Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament, but for our hurt and not for our good. We read in the Gospel of people touching our Lord in three ways. 1st, In faith, like the woman with the issue of blood, who was cured by touching Him. 2nd, In careless ignorance, like the multitude who thronged Him at the same time, and got no good by it. 3rd, In mockery, like Judas who kissed Him, or like those who smote Him and crucified Him, and thereby incurred most terrible guilt. It was the very same Body in each of these cases; and so it is the very same Body to all communicants, in whichever of these three frames of mind they may come to the Sacrament. Christ's Body and Blood are equally there whether we discern them or not.

Faith lends her realising light,

And clouds and shadows fly;

Th' Invisible appears in sight,

Distinct to mortal eye,

Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees,

And looks to that alone.

Within our souls reveal

Thy love and power to heal,

Be born, and make our hearts Thy cradle

And Thy shrine.