Let Quarrels Die

There has been an unhappy run-in between friends of my acquaintance.

May I suggest that the only one pleased by such division is, not Christ, but Satan?

(I say this as a sinner who has himself a nasty temper.)

Prayer is in order: as Aquinas says, in his Catena Aurea (quoting St Augustine on John 13:14; and cf. James 5:16a), may we wash one another’s feet by confessing our faults one to another, forgiving one another’s faults, and praying for one another’s faults.

Ubi caritas comes to mind, and my favourite English version thereof:

R.  Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est.

V.  Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.

V.  Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur.

V.  Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum.

V.  Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.

R.  Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est.

V.  Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur:

V.  Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus.

V.  Cessent jurgia maligna, cessent lites.

V.  Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus.

R.  Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est.

V.  Simul quoque cum beatis videamus

V.  Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:

V.  Gaudium, quod est immensum atque probum.

V.  Saecula per infinita saeculorum.

R.  Ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est.

Antiphon: Where there is charity and love,

there the God of love abides.

1. The love of Christ has gathered us as one, 

Rejoice in him with joy which he imparts; 

Let us revere and love the living God 

And love each other with unfeigning hearts. Antiphon.

2. And so when we are gathered here as one, 

Let quarrels die and envious rancour cease; 

Be our resolve all bitterness to shun 

And in our midst be Christ, his love and peace. Antiphon.

3. Oh, lead us, Master, by your saving grace, 

To where the blessed glory in your sight; 

There let us see and love you face to face, 

Gathered once more in everlasting light. Antiphon.