March 11

Fifth Monday after Epiphany

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:14.

ABIDE then in love, and you will find the truth. The Church at large is rent in pieces by the just judgment of God on account of corruption in faith and practice, and it were dishonour to God to suppose that His truth should be found entire in a Church broken and divided in the faith, because corrupt in life. God will be found in the unity of His Church; but to look for truth and light where righteousness and love are not, were to disparage His holiness. But in this night, this twilight, he that keeps the Divine fire from the altar in his own soul shall have light thereby; and he who holds fast to this clue of love shall through the labyrinth be guided aright. To keep love alive is our great need, while it is itself the most endangered, and the heavenly torch burns dim because of that air of corruption which is abroad. This, indeed, is a great and peculiar snare amidst the aboundings of false doctrine and rendings of the Church; for we ought to hate what is evil and to contend against it; but there is great danger lest this hatred and contention should sour the heart and stifle charity, and so be a scandal to others and ruin to ourselves; nay more, that we "root up the wheat with the tares in our zeal."

Bless, Lord, Thy holy Church,

With heavenly graces bless,

That it may flourish and abound

In love and godliness.

The erring and in sin,

All, Lord, who from Thee stray,

Bring them, oh bring them back again

To Thy most holy way!