Unity, rest, and truth are never found by accident—they are guarded, pursued, and finally received. In today’s readings, the early Church presses us toward a disciplined unity under God-appointed order, Augustine exposes the inner corruption that masquerades as joy until the soul collapses under its own emptiness, and Aquinas brings us face to face with the God who alone is utterly simple—without parts, mixture, or instability. Ignatius calls the Church to visible harmony around bishop, presbyters, and deacons as participation in Christ Himself; Augustine confesses how far he wandered from true rest while chasing distorted pleasures; and Aquinas shows that only a God who is pure act and undivided being can ground the life, rest, and unity the soul longs for. Together, these readings remind us that fragmentation—whether ecclesial, moral, or metaphysical—is never freedom, and that life is found only by returning to the One who is not divided.

Readings:

Ignatius of Antioch, The Epistle to the Trallians (Authoritative Middle Version)

Augustine of Hippo, The Confessions, Book 2, Chapter 10 (Section 18)

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Part 1, Question 9 — Whether God Is Simple (Articles 1–8 Combined)

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