November 15

Seventeenth Friday after Trinity

One Lord, one baptism. Ephesians 4:5.

INTO the Eternal, Equal, Infinite Love of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost we are, in our degree, entered. "All things are full," say the ancient fathers of the Church, "as from Him Who is fulness, and perfect as from perfection." "He unites us with Himself and the Father, not in one created, but in the Holy Spirit. "What says the Lord? 'Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' How into the Name of the Father? Because He is the Beginning of all things. How into the Name of the Son? Because He is the Redeemer. How into the Holy Ghost? Because He perfecteth all things." "Keep, I beseech thee," says S. Paul, "that good deposit for which I live and act; wherewith also I bear all sorrows, despise all pleasures, the confession of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. With this I intrust thee this day. This I give thee as the presider over thy whole life, the One Godhead, existing in unity in the Three, comprehending the Three severally; every way equal, as there is one beauty and greatness of the heavens." This union was begun in us when baptized into the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This union is increased whenever we pray to God. It is increased in us in the Holy Communion; for "we spiritually eat the Flesh of Christ, and drink His Blood; we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us."

All worship, all dominion, To Him Who all things holds in one, The Triune God Unseen!