October 5

Eleventh Saturday after Trinity

Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7.

WE must ever bear in mind that we are on our probation. Though in our Father's house there are many mansions, and the Son is gone to prepare a place for us, yet "not any thing can enter there that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but [only] they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." The highest joy reserved for the creature in heaven, the joy of our Lord, is not the joy of those who have never known sin. It has been beautifully said that the pearls on the gates of Paradise are the tears of penitents. The entrance into the heavenly city is through penitential sorrow turned into eternal joys. And surely the joy of our Lord, the joy over which Angels rejoice, is the mingled strain of hearts which, as they are lost in God, still bear the memory of how great has been the forgiveness of how great sins, to whom heaven is all the more precious because of the hell out of which they have been raised; who are penetrated with the consciousness of undeserved compassion, while being filled with rapture at the bliss into which they are translated; in whom the consciousness of forgiving love, and of grace perfected in Divine beauty, melt into one fulness of ecstasy. It is the joy in which the sense of sorrow and fear past enhances the sense of present ensured endless beatitude; the joy of rest after toil. It is the joy of the redeemed, who sing the new song.

To Him Who to redeem Our race came down from heaven, Praise with the Father evermore, And Holy Ghost be given.