examination of the heart 206 THIRD DAY OF EASTER81 Before Holy Communion 1. “Jesus stood in the midst of the disciples” (cf. Lk 24:36). O, what a great joy then filled the hearts of the dejected apostles! How great [f.44v] was their exultation! What tremendous joy when they beheld in their midst Jesus, triumphant over death in the highest glory! In His glorified body, remarkable in its highest majesty and adorned with so many privileges! Such consolation, such blessing is prepared for you today, my soul. For the one risen from the dead, Jesus, the invincible conqueror of hell, the world and death, will come into the abode or upper room of your heart, and will remain within you. What, therefore, are you going to do; what are you going to prepare for the arrival of such a great Lord? Collect your wandering mind and scattered thoughts and fix your spirit on one thing: that it would try and be able to see only Jesus, that it may long to receive Him with a burning desire, to be refreshed, to be sustained, to be delighted by Him; that it may have dealings only with Him, having brushed aside all other dealings and delights. For He went to see the apostles only when they were gathered together, and He appeared to them only when they were burning with the greatest desire to see Him. 2. “Peace to you” (Lk 24:36). Behold peace, the most desired companion of the Divine Presence and its most certain effect. So, focus your attention and understand that Jesus is never present to you when you are lacking peace of soul, and that He is always compelled to flee from the dwelling of your soul because of serious imperfections, whenever you succumb to interior disorders. You are taught this by the example of David: Having offended the Divine Majesty, he experienced, besides pestilence, the torment that those who were friendliest to him became his most hostile enemies (cf. 2 Sam 24:10-17; Ps 41:9; 55:13-14). 81 I.e., Tuesday within the Octave of Easter.
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