examination of the heart 252 (cf. Lk 14:18-20). Infer from this how greatly prosperity, abundance, honors, and riches obstruct the way to human salvation; how much it is impeded by avarice and lust, as well as by vulgar relations and carnal love. People offered these things as excuses for not attending. Whence it is said about the rich: “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 19:24). It is also declared about the impure: “do not throw your pearls before swine” (Mt 7:6). Who are these swine, if not the people rolling in the mud of lust! O thrice blessed are the religious, for whom the Lord removed these impediments to salvation through the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience! After Holy Communion 1. “Come, eat” (cf. Lk 14:17).112 O, what a great love of the merciful God shines here for us! How great His generosity shows itself to be! Having set the table, He affectionately and paternally invites our famished souls to partake in the heavenly dishes, and to consume His very self: Come! However, you do not realize how many are those who are deaf to His sweet invitation; how many despise His table, filled as it is with the most exquisite food and drink! They prefer to die from eternal hunger for the sake of worthless and often perverse reasons rather than to take part, in response to His merciful invitation, in the rich banquet provided by the God-Man. It is out of His goodness that He has invited you to it; and out of His grace He decided to give you His Body to consume. Therefore, as an expression of your gratitude, repay Him with great thanksgiving for such a splendid and salutary meal, and keeping in your heart the memory of such a great favor, not only on this day, but for many days to come, until the next banquet. 2. “he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited ‘Come; for all is now ready’” (Lk 14:17). 112 RSV: “Come; for all is now ready” (Lk 14:17).
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