examination of the heart 208 manner! The One to whom all things are obedient, of whom all things are afraid, and whom nothing can resist! After Holy Communion 1. “they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit” (Lk 24:37). Reflect upon the great prudence and caution of the assembled disciples: For although they were not unaware, and indeed were fully informed that the Lord would rise from the dead, yet upon seeing Him, they were terrified and trembled with fear. Oh, if only you would in this manner proceed more cautiously in your spiritual journey! You would certainly never wander from the right path and rarely, indeed never, would you be deceived. If you were so watchful and prudent in avoiding the cunning ploys of the evil one, you would never fall for them. If you proceeded on the journey of perfection in this saintly and wise manner, you would never fall grievously. [f.45v] Therefore today at least, pay attention when the eternal light illuminates you, lest by chance you be led into the dense darkness of imperfections, deceived by a spirit who is not good. But you will avoid them if, distrustful of yourself, you follow this heavenly light like a bright lighthouse. 2. “questions rise in your hearts” (Lk 24:38). Watch, watch your every thought carefully both today and always, and do not give outsiders access to your mind or open to them the door of your heart without a long deliberation. For such thoughts bring with themselves so much evil into a miserable soul, such great damage! For the evil spirit first elicits a thought, and then this thought poisons or carries off the cleanness of the heart. Once it has been carried off, an enormous sadness follows which, by weakening the strength of the spirit, makes it unfit for anything and not seldom throws some people into such an abyss of despair that, having rejected the salutary yoke of Christ, they remove the hand from the plough and desist from the cultivation of the field of the soul that they had previously started.
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