Vigils Reading

THE ONE TRUE VISION

OF CHRISTIAN FAITH

From a sermon by St John Henry Newman

◊◊◊

However much a duty it is to undergo excitements when they are sent

upon us, it is plainly unchristian, a manifest foolishness and sin, to seek out any

such, whether secular or religious. Hence gaming is so great an offense; as being

a presumptuous creation on our part of a serious, if not an overpowering

temptation to fix the heart upon an object of this world. Hence, the mischief of

many amusements, of (what is called) the fashion of the day; which are devised

for the very purpose of taking up the thoughts, and making time pass easy.

Quite contrary is the Christian temper, which is in its perfect and peculiar

enjoyment when engaged in that ordinary, unvaried course of duties which God

assigns, and which the world calls dull and tiresome. To get up day after day to

the same employments, and to feel happy in them, is the great lesson of the

Gospel; and, when, exemplified in those who are alive to the temptation of being

busy, it implies a heart weaned from the love of this world. True, illness of body,

as well as restlessness of mind, may occasionally render such a life a burden. It

is true also that indolence, self-indulgence, timidity and other similar bad

habits, may adopt it by preference, as a pretext for neglecting more active

duties.

Men and women of energetic minds and talents for action are called to a

life of trouble; they are the compensations and antagonists of the world’s evils.

Still let them never forget their place – they are persons of war, and we war that

we may obtain peace. They are but persons of war, honored indeed by God’s

choice, and, in spite of all momentary excitements, resting in the depth of their

hearts upon the One true Vision of Christian faith…amid the unostentatious

duties of ordinary life.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; but

one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good part which shall not be

taken away from her.” Such is our Lord’s judgment, showing that our true

happiness consists in being at leisure to serve God without excitements. For this

gift we especially pray in one of our Collects: “Grant, O Lord, that the course of

this world may be so peaceably ordered by your governance, that your Church

may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness.”