295 part i: sunday meditations for the entire year Therefore, I acknowledge, most wise Savior, that humility is the ladder to Heaven, the door to life, the gate to paradise, and the basis of all the virtues; and lastly that it is a wing by which we are lifted up from the earth. Indeed, the more we submit in humility, the more we shall be raised up. If only I follow and embrace what I acknowledge as good and confess as salutary! [f.82v] SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Before Holy Communion 1. “And one of them, a lawyer, asked [H]im a question, to test [H]im” (Mt 22:35). Consider how great was the misfortune of those who, although they had the living Truth Christ the Lord right before them, they simply did not believe Him and did not sincerely and fittingly welcome Him, but tempted Him instead. Ponder whether by approaching Him today you do not equally tempt Him? For even now people tempt Christ still, when they approach Him, present on the altar, with weak faith, with an evil intention, and with careless preparation; when, owing to their incredulity, they ask Him something small, while it is fitting to ask the King for gifts of royal size; when they seek only sweetness in the Most Holy Communion, like animals overcome by sensuality, instead of the fruit of improvement and the gift of virtue; when they consume the angelic bread, without raising any ardor in themselves, but with a distracted, cold, and listless mind, and sometimes even aware of a more grave fault. This is exactly what “tempting God” means. As for you, be not “a lawyer.” 2. “The great commandment in the Law” (cf. Mt 22:36). Consider that the Lord evaluates our deeds, desires, wishes, plans, and works, according to our intention, and gives rewards according to it.
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