examination of the heart 148 and Heaven should he be obedient. Indeed, no one can be saved without his own participation. THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY Before Holy Communion 1. “and behold, a leper came to [H]im and knelt before [H]im” (Mt 8:2). The desire to regain health was so great in that leper, oppressed by a grave illness, that he did not hesitate to seek out and go to the Lord, the heavenly Physician. Thus, with what vehement desire should you, contaminated by so many imperfections and sins that are worse than leprosy, hasten to the physician of your soul and to receive the Most Holy Eucharist, the most wholesome and proven medicine of your soul? Notice the abasement of spirit and the reverence with which this sick man approaches Christ: he adores Him in order to teach you the adoration and worship due to God alone, especially as you are presently coming to the Lord, the King of the universe. Just as the leper did not ask for anything before rendering veneration, so you should mind your posture before you start praying. For, if it is shameful, rude, unpolished, and ill-mannered to approach the kings of this world without showing respect and honor, it is so much more shameful and reprehensible to approach disrespectfully the Lord of infinite majesty and power. Although He is not perceived with the bodily eyes, His presence in the soul must nevertheless be thought of and fixed in one’s mind. 2. “Lord, if [Y]ou will, [Y]ou can make me clean” (Mt 8:2). Consider that we should ask for health, prosperity, and other things of this kind under [f.17v] the condition shown by the leper. When desiring to be cleansed from leprosy, he submits himself to the divine decision saying, “If you wish.” However, the healing from leprosy of the soul and the gift of graces necessary for salvation are to be requested insistently, not conditionally. Indeed, they are to be obtained by the force of prayers, as per
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