examination of the heart 224 Consider now how greatly beneficial that resignation was for the apostles, namely, that they let the Lord go to the Father. For it is with the coming of the Holy Spirit that they obtained the knowledge of tongues, the understanding of the Scriptures, an unparalleled magnanimity, and unconquerable fortitude, to such an extent that instead of taking flight out of fear and pusillanimity as they did shortly before, during the Passion of their Master, now, filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they started to openly spread His Gospel, proclaim His Resurrection, convert the Gentiles to the true faith, and continually endure in His name many persecutions, innumerable calamities, enormous crosses, and torments, and suffered terrible deaths with a great, joyful, and brave spirit. Whereas before the advent of the Paraclete they did not understand the meaning of “a little while” (cf. Jn 16:16-19), after being enlightened by Him, they interpret the writings of the prophets and doctors of the law and acquire the perfect knowledge of all sciences. And, having acquired it, they instruct the whole world, as the Church sings: “their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Ps 19:4). Without a doubt, this voluntary and deliberate absence of the highest Goodness from the human soul is so that merits would not be taken away, nor the exercise of virtues impeded, nor the way of salvation obstructed. Rather, instead of the sensation which the loving soul perceived because of the presence of the Beloved, He infuses such a soul with solid virtues, constancy in adversities, and perseverance in good works, and accomplishes in it an admirable and extremely salutary transformation. Therefore, having received His Holy Body, prepare yourself for all the greatest gifts, and although you lose the sensuous taste of His sweetness, nonetheless overcome all difficulties out of love for Him, do not yield to adversities, do not abandon the path of virtue, persist in the good works you have begun: “I waited patiently for the Lord; [H]e inclined to me and heard my cry.” (cf. Ps 40:1). [f.52v]
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