| VII. Choir | 20 January |
|---|---|
| Virtue of the truth of faith | Sebastian |
He stands before a large, mighty, golden double door—like a door-opener to the throne-room of God’s majesty—bearing a very strong light that burns quietly and steeply… it is not blazing like a torch. He is wearing a tunic, the garment of the deacons of the Holy Church. His face is immovably immersed and anchored in the beatific vision of God. He only sees us through God and from God he carries his task to us. It is
Saint Amiel,
the fifth of the seven virtues of faith, which together with the virtues of hope and love and the angels of the Holy Church form the seventh choir in the angelic hierarchy.
They are all angels of love, because they are able to receive and transmit the stream of grace of love from the Heart of God from the Seraphim in the Ring of Adoration over the Dominions. And yet they are also angels of life, especially the seven virtues of faith with their legions of angels. It is only through the grace of faith that they make a man’s life a truly living life. And they are also angels of power, especially the seven virtues of hope, because they help people to strengthen their will towards God and the good and to direct it straight towards the goal of the heavenly Father’s House.
Saint Amiel carries the virtue of the truth of faith. Faith means: not knowing and yet absolutely believing that what is presented is true. Without the grace of faith, man gropes in the dark and cannot find his way on his own. He needs a light that clearly shows him the truth of faith in God, the Triune One, in salvation through Jesus Christ and in the Holy Church. Saint Amiel carries this light; with his help we recognise the truth of every word of God. We recognise the omnipotence and majesty, the omniscience and justice, the goodness and mercy of God.
The light of Saint Amiel is clear and simple, full of the sobriety of truthfulness, which needs no embellishment or concealment, no sugarcoating or defence. It places man on the ground of broad-mindedness and faithfulness, of humility and sincerity. It demands the whole person without compromise or conditions. What is not entirely true is untrue. But what is true needs only a “yes, yes” or a “no, no,” nothing more.
How is this truth of faith to be known and lived? The men of little faith will never receive it. So we must become great believers; we must augment our will to believe; in silent magnanimity we must unconditionally accept what faith teaches and commands, because it is God Who teaches and commands us. Then God will always surpass this magnanimity of ours and reward it with the divine light of clarity.
Prayer: Lord, when our faith is weak because we are short-sighted in spirit by birth, send us this great Angel, Saint Amiel, with his clear, still light, that he may silently take us into the depths of the truth of faith and strengthen and fortify us! Amen.