examination of the heart 316 Although in many temptations victory is secured by overcoming oneself, yet in the temptation of which the Apostle spoke regretfully: “There was given me a spirit of Satan” etc. (cf. 2 Cor 12:7). The flight alone brings triumph. [f.92r] After Holy Communion 1. “let the reader understand” (Mt 24:15). Consider that consuming the divine food without experiencing its sweetness is the same as reading something without understanding it. Just as those who read yet do not understand what they read because they read carelessly and with a distracted mind, and who immediately turn from reading to other things without any recollection; so in a similar way, the people who consume the Body of Christ do not taste its Heavenly sweetness, because they consume it heedlessly, with scattered thoughts. Moreover, after the sacred banquet, they go away, without any interior recollection at all, and busy themselves with countless trifles. Therefore, consider now the excellence of this divine food so that you may experience its sweetness. 2. “do not go out” (Mt 24:26). Consider that the Lord does not want you to abandon your good resolutions and deeds easily, even if you are advised against them with seemingly good reasons. The evil one pulls men away from good things precisely by showing them better things. And this is exactly what he did with our first parents: wanting to deprive them of the grace of God and of their rule over things, he promised them deity, far superior to the state in which they were at that time (cf. Gen 3:5). Thus, he often deceives many, whose mind on the day of Communion diverts to temporal matters, so that they cannot engage in pondering God’s gift. Refuse to go out of your inner self, even if called to the best things, and abide with Jesus alone. to the mind a simple thought, then a strong mental image, afterwards pleasure, and an evil impulse, and [finally] consent.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==