圣诞节前第八主日

圣灵与火

——马太福音三章十一节

基督对他的教会，不仅用圣灵哺育浇灌，也降火焚烧；不仅施恩怜恤，也手操刀斧。他始终像炼金之火，要弃尽浮渣，提取精金；又如漂布之碱，要涤尽污浊，还其皎洁。他从未停止扬场，去净糠秕，好收存麦粒；也从未停止修树，砍下无果枯枝，好留存结果的嫩条。

主啊，求使我不只认识你的恩慈，也认识你的严厉；不只认识你的怜恤与恩待，也认识你的忿怒与权能。愿你的教会，在灵与火的洗礼中成为圣洁，成为无瑕！

8th before Christmas

Matthew 3:11

With the Holy Spirit and with fire

  Christ feeds and waters his church not with the Holy Spirit only; he also sends down fire to burn it. He sends not only grace and pity, but a sword. Always Christ is the refining fire which seeks to purge the dross and bring out pure gold. Like bleach he removes the stains from the cloth, returning it to its original cleanliness. He winnows without rest, separating the chaff and gathering in the wheat. Christ never finishes pruning his trees, cutting off the barren branches so as to bring forth good fruit.

  Lord, enable us to know, not only your mercy, but your strict discipline, not only your pity and grace, but also your anger and power. May your church, through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and through fire, be made pure and without flaw