Original

-356-
which the Holy Ghost dwells is an act of the love
of God, and this act is manifested by love for all those
who like ourselves are the work of God. This practice of
the twofold love of God and our neighbour was the cha
racteristic mark of the first Christians who practised it
to such an extent as to astonish those who were wit
nesses of it.
In the Epistle, Saint John, the disciple whom Jesus
loved, explains very clearly the divine theory of charity.
" God he ", says,
of God appeared
"
is charity.
towards us,
By this hath the charity
because God hath sent
His only begotten Son into the world that we may live
by Him. In this is charity ; not as though we had loved
God, but because He hath first loved us, and sent His
"
Son to be a propitiation for our sins.
We must therefore be charitable, not only by loving
God in return but by loving our brethren also. And
unless we love our brethren ; we cannot say that we
love God. (
really
The Gospel for this Sunday recalls the fundamental
points of the law promulgated by Jesus Christ. Be
merciful, for that is the condition for obtaining mercy.
The heavenly Father will pardon you in the same mea
sure in which you pardon others.
The parts of the Mass which are sung pay homage
to the divine mercy in which we place all our confidence.
God could not forget us nor turn away from us (INTROIT).
The Gradual and Alleluia contain a heartfelt supplica
tion to the heavenly physician who heals and delivers
the soul that has compassion on the woes of others. In
the Offertory and Communion a re-iterated appeal
is made to Him whom we proclaim our King and our
God. Whose goodness we shall sing for ever in the joy
and exultation of our hearts. In the prayers of the Mass