examination of the heart 258 to the best of your ability. And God, although He may be slow in coming, is to be expected, and He will support your good intention and your diligent effort. 3. “they left everything and followed [H]im” (Lk 5:11). Ponder two things here. First, that those who are following or who want to follow Christ, must leave all things: the world, honors, earthly possessions, friendships, loved ones, relatives, parents, “and their own life also” (cf. Lk 14:26), and subject their own will to the will of another. This is, in short, the way of those who tread in the footsteps of Christ. Second, consider that those whom Christ won over by His favors, graces, and benefits have a greater obligation to imitate Christ perfectly. This is what these holy fishermen did, who, having seen their catch of fish as evidently both a miracle performed and a grace just for them; immediately, “leaving all things, they followed Jesus” (cf. Lk 5:11). And since Holy Communion does not belong among the lesser benefits of Christ, consider what demands are laid upon you who receive it. After Holy Communion 1. “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Lk 5:8). Consider that the first effect of the Divine Presence is selfknowledge. Just as the dirt remaining in the house is concealed during the night, but is easy to see when the sun has risen, it is the same when the divine light is far from us, and we do not feel even our most obvious faults. O, how clearly we perceive the stains of our imperfections; even let us say, the monsters of our evil deeds when the rays of the divine light penetrate the room of our heart [f.66v]. Thus, St. Peter acknowledged being a sinner only when in the boat he saw Christ, the eternal Sun. Woe to you! If, carrying Him in your heart today, you do not see and profess yourself a sinner. 2. “I am a sinful man” (Lk 5:8). Consider that those whom the uncreated Light endowed with self-knowledge act best. For they grieve when they see their evil
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