The Communion of Saints

On each feast day specified in the Episcopal calendar, my friend Micah posts a meditation at St. Jerome's Chapel. He runimates on the saint or martyr remembered that day, on the lessons appointed, and ponders what we can take from the example of life and scripture. One can either read the short homily he posts, or listen to it via podcast. If you haven't visited his site, I would recommend it; it's become a regular part of my devotional habit.

Today is the feast of Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, who lived back in the 4th century. And Micah is right: we have much we can learn from him.

...why wouldn’t he sign the condemnation of his opponents? Why did he endure exile rather than criticize the very people he was so quick to debate? It is in this seeming paradox that Hilary’s true sainthood resides. He wouldn’t sign because it is not the place of a Christian to condemn another for any reason. We are called to seek after the truth of God and to defend it with our whole mind and heart and soul. But to condemn is something that belongs only to God. Hilary could not, and would not do that.

Oh, how our Church today would be a better place if we learned that lesson from the life of Blessed Hilary.

Amen, and amen.