examination of the heart 142 Would you not then marvel at God, who is no longer conversing with Moses, but having a discussion with you in your heart and remaining within you? Would you not worship Him? The Jewish people were afraid of talking with God, and they said to Moses: “You speak to us, and we will hear; but let not God speak to us, lest we die” (Ex 20:19). Indeed, the King of the Jewish people, having laid aside His majesty, comes to you in a gentle and friendly manner under the species of bread, in each little piece. O goodness! O wonder! O delight! Speak to Him, do not be afraid, and carry out precisely all that He teaches you. 2. “Did you not know that I must be in [M]y Father’s house?” (Lk 2:49). Here is a 12-year-old Boy, already realizing at His young age the reason for which He came into the world; He is already anxious to fulfill the will of the Father. As for you, remind yourself of the reason for which you entered the religious life. Call to mind and renew your former intentions to improve your life and habits. Be assured that the noblest and highest perfection is to accomplish the divine will and to conform to it. This is the most well-traveled way to Heaven, followed by all the saints, patriarchs, and religious. Indeed, Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son to God according to His command. As for you, in following his example, you should sacrifice something to the same Lord. At the divine voice, Abraham went out [f.14v] from his ancestral land and left all his kindred and friends (cf. Gen 12:1-5; 22:1-12). You also have gone out from your native region to the place indicated to you by the finger of the Holy Spirit through a religious vocation. Forsake your evil habits and unbridled passions just as you left behind your kinsfolk and your friends; Pismo Święte Starego i Nowego Testamentu (Biblia Tysiąclecia), Eds. Augustyn Jankowski et al., 5th ed., Pallottinum, Poznań 2002, p. 99 (see editor’s note). [Hereafter Pismo Święte Starego i Nowego Testamentu (Biblia Tysiąclecia) will be abbreviated as BT.]
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