January 31
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeS. John the Evangelist's Day
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God. 1 S. John 4:7.
S. JOHN the Apostle and Evangelist is chiefly and most familiarly known to us as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Our Saviour had a private friend, and this shows us, first, how entirely He was a man as much as any of us, His wants and feelings; and next, that there is nothing inconsistent with the fulness of Christian love, in having our affections directed in an especial way towards certain objects, towards those whom the circumstances of our past life or some peculiarities of character have endeared to us. With our Saviour's pattern before us, the best preparation for loving the world at large, and loving it duly and wisely, is to cultivate an intimate friendship and affection towards those who are immediately about us. The ancients thought so much of friendship that they made it a virtue. In a Christian view it is not quite this; but it is often accidentally a special test of our virtue. Little children, let us love one another, is the subject of thought which to-day's festival brings before us. Let us be meek and gentle; let us think before we speak; let us try and improve our talents in private life; let us do good, not hoping for a return, and avoiding all display before man. Well may we be thus exhorted at this season, when we have so lately partaken together the blessed Sacrament which binds us to mutual love, and gives us strength to practise it. Let us not forget that we are not our own, we are bought with the Blood of Christ. May we live worthy of our calling, and realize in our own persons the Church's prayers and professions for us; and—
When Christ His marriage feast shall make, May we with joy true delights partake, And never the blest company forsake Of His elect.