examination of the heart 256 2. “and eats with them” (Lk 15:2). Consider that Jesus, as He was staying among the people, conversed lovingly with sinners, just as He converses with them now. Therefore, He does not deny His Body and Blood to them, although they are unprepared, according to the Church’s song: “Bad and good the feast are sharing.”113 Each man, however, should strive to prepare himself to the best of his ability before consuming this manna of the NewTestament, lest he eat judgment on himself (cf. 1 Cor 11:29). Moreover, it is fitting for those rising from the sacred table, to conduct themselves devoutly, so that they would spread through their ardor the sparks of divine love, instead of extinguishing them by their half-heartedness. Just as it is not recommended, and even harmful, to go outdoors and tax oneself after taking some medicine for the body, so it is not at all beneficial after receiving spiritual medicine to become distracted or occupied with superfluous matters. And so you, having entered the chamber of your heart, contemplate only yourself and your Guest, Jesus, that your fire of love may warm Him and His fire of love warm you. [f.65v] 3. “there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:10). Consider that “penance” here means both the virtue and the Sacrament of Penance. Therefore, by confessing your sins, having sorrow for them, and making a very firm resolution not to sin any more, you gave joy to the angels. Cause them more joy by taking up voluntary mortifications, whether for the sake of atonement or for the prevention of sin, and by exercising yourself willingly, yet discreetly, in the mortification of your body. Just as friends feel the greatest joy when their friends return from a long voyage, so our friends the angels greatly rejoice when they see how, after having suffered the shipwreck of our inno113 This quote is from the Sequence Lauda Sion, for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi: LM, p. 979 (Stanza 17). In IC crit. ed. these words are quoted from the Latin original, where it is simply said: "Sumunt boni, sumunt mali" (“The good receive, the bad receive”): MIR, p. 398 (In Festo Sanctissimi Corporis Christi, Sequentia).
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