November 14

Seventeenth Thursday after Trinity

One Lord, one faith. Ephesians 4:5.

THIS is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. This is the victory by which the Martyrs overcame, and in Divine strength mastered the strong; the strength of endurance wearied out the brutal might of infliction. Fishermen and the tent-maker subdued the world; the blood of Martyrs became the harvest seed of the Church. By this same faith "they subdued kingdoms." For faith knits us to Christ. Faith obtains for us the power of Christ, and overcomes the world, for it has power with Him Who has power over the world. Faith binds us to Him Who is almighty. Faith opens our eyes to things invisible. It imparts to us also the power of the All-Powerful and the wisdom of the All-Wise. To overcome the world; to love God and keep His commandments; to have the witness in ourselves that we are born of God; to "have the Son," abiding in Him through faith and love and obedience, because He abides in us through His Spirit and His Sacraments; to have already eternal life, since we have Him Who is life;—these are joys to us all. This is living faith. Obedience is the fruit of faith, the proof of love; it grows from faith and love, and draws in life and strength and the quickening dew of God's grace, to enlarge and expand the stock on which it grows.

We Thee confess in Thine own light,

In blessedness most infinite.

Faith, kindling into charity,

Hath dared to raise her thoughts to Thee,

And tastes of what herself shall be.

Father, give us to do what Thou

Wouldst have done;

What Thou dost teach give us to know,

Holy Son;

And to approve what Thou dost love,

Holy One.