145 part i: sunday meditations for the entire year the King and Queen of Heaven there: The Son will be present in substance and the Mother through her intercession. Therefore, in the presence of the heavenly Empress and the citizens of Heaven, take care to receive the heavenly food with veneration and affection [f.15v] so that it may be recognized that you do not approach the wedding banquet of Jesus with a cold disposition or bad preparation. Thus, concentrate and prepare your spirit. Reflect on how you shall approach the sacred table. Most of all, you will need two things for this: the desire to receive Holy Communion and purity. This purity consists of cleansing the heart of all imperfections and of every thought that is foreign to the present action. The desire consists of the ardor and great love with which your soul should burn for this Most Holy Sacrament. 3. “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). Consider how tender the holy Mother is towards the need of another; regarding it as her own, she says: “They have no wine.” It is fitting that you too have a tender concern both for your soul and for the soul of your neighbor, and that you ask Jesus Christ, the Lord of virtues (both on your behalf, as well as that of others), for the wine of virtues. For virtues have a sweet aroma that rejoices the heart of man and of God. Therefore, fear not to present before the heavenly King the necessities of your own soul and the souls of others, following the example of the Most Holy Mother. Indeed, with great confidence and faith, ask for the virtues and the graces necessary for salvation, saying: “O richest Lord of Heaven and earth, we have no wine: both N.N. and I are deprived of the sweet wine of virtues. The springs and wells of our hearts are dry, the vineyards are laid waste. Show us your generosity and transform into sweet [f.16r] nectar the fount of tears that we pour out before you, asking for heavenly gifts. Fill our vessels, that is our souls, with the most excellent fills our hearts; and we receive a pledge of the glory to come” [cf. The Liturgy of the Hours: According to the Roman Rite, English trans. prepared by ICEL, vol. III, Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York 1975, p. 622. Hereafter The Liturgy of the Hours will be abbreviated as LHE.]
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