UNITY
He who holds not unity holds not the law of
God, holds not the faith of Father and Son, holds not the faith unto
salvation.
How is unity preserved? Paul answered -
"In the bond of peace." It is not possible that unity should exist
in enmity and discord. The Apostles would have us linked and tied one to
another; not simply that we be at peace, not simply that we love another,
but that, in all, there should be but one soul. A glorious bond this. With
this bond, let us bind ourselves together, alike to one another and to God.
Labour with one another; contend together,
run together, suffer together, do all things together, as the stewards and
servants of Christ. Let your faith be as your helmet, your charity as your
spear, your patience as your whole armour. Let your united labours be your
one charge, so that you may receive one steward.
We dwell in Christ when we are His members,
and He dwelleth in us when we are His temple; but that we should be His
members, unity doth knit and compact us together.
Specious indeed is the name of peace, and
fair the very thought of unity; but who can doubt that unity of the Church
and of the Gospels alone is peace which preserves the unity of Christ.
Saints Hilary, Augustine, Ignatius, Cyprian
and John Chrysostom
(01-14-04)
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