September 30

Eleventh Monday after Trinity

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God Which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12, 13.

THE apprehension in the soul of the quickening power of God is the groundwork of the energy of will to work with Him. As we rise to the level of a living faith in the work of God, we are enabled to work also. There are three chief stages of the life of God in the soul, from its first dawning to its meridian height of glory. They are known in spiritual theology as the purgative, the illuminative, and the unitive. How marvellously throughout its wondrous course is the soul's renewed life identified with the life of the Incarnate God! These three stages of spiritual advancement correspond with three distinct mysteries in our Lord's life; for it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren in all things, and He is like them in this. The three mysteries which correspond with our three successive stages of advancing life are His Circumcision, His Baptism, His Ascension. Our Lord's Circumcision exhibited the truth that the law of purity, of perfect cleansing, was fulfilled in man's nature. His Baptism was the increased endowment of His Humanity with the fullest illumination of the Holy Ghost. There was a further development of the glory of His Humanity when He assumed its spiritual, heavenly condition, in which He ascended to His Father's Side, and in the flesh was seated at His Right Hand.

Wherefore, sinner, haste to these Fountains of salvation;

Life thou mayest draw therefrom, And illumination;

Cure thou mayest find for sin, Strength to meet temptation;

Refuge mayest thou gain against Satan's condemnation.