examination of the heart 302 For the goodness of God attempts to draw the hearts of men to His love many times and in many ways; and although they resist the first calling, He calls for a second and third time. Hence, that double call was offered to Saul: “Saul, Saul” (Acts 9:4). O blessed are those who come to God without being called, and who forsake the world! True, [f.85v] if nobody can come to Him unless called, nay, unless drawn, as declared by Christ the Lord (cf. Jn 12:32), let us rather call blessed those who immediately obey the first calling, the first inspiration instilled in their heart. Therefore, keep your eyes on the lookout for divine signs and deem it a sacrilege to disrespect them, especially when discerned at the sacred table. After Holy Communion 1. “Behold, I have made ready my dinner” (Mt 22:4). Consider that you walk away fromHoly Communion as if from a divine dinner, in which you were nourished with the Body of God and given His Blood to drink. Wherefore, just like those who, coming from the banquet of a king, speak at length only about the grandeur of the banquet and excellence of the food, about the great number of courses and their taste, and are pleased with such stories as if with the banquet itself, so you also should ponder the magnificence, the sweetness and the excellence of the dinner of the heavenly King. Your mind should be occupied with it, your thoughts should dwell upon it, and your tongue should be busy with praising it. Although only a single dish was served to you there, it was of such kind that it surpassed any and all of the most exquisite foods for the body. Earnestly desire that it would benefit your salvation. Wish to prize nothing over this dish. 2. “The king was angry” (Mt 22:7). Consider that God cannot be angry. He is, however, very grievously offended, when His will, His command and decisions, and His desires, speaking in human terms, are not satisfied. He desires that we all aim at greater perfection, saying: “But earnestly desire the higher gifts” (1 Cor 12:31). But when He
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