examination of the heart 332 Because I am destroyed from day to day, and my work is getting worse. O Lord, my lamp is going out. The light of my eyes is not with me (cf. Ps 38:10). I get cold, I grow weaker, and I am already overwhelmed by my sins, not merely my imperfections. All that you had given me as gifts and helps so that I would tend to greater perfection now decays. My race ends. To action! Rush forward, my soul! Why do you want to be plunged into darkness? Kindle your lamp by the desire to approach the Most Holy Eucharist, so that it does not lack light. Your lamp goes out when you burn with little or no desire to receive the Lord’s Body. After Holy Communion 1. “The Bridegroom comes” (Mt 25:6). Behold, already Christ is celebrating the nuptials with your soul. He already entered its dwelling, even now He remains in its embraces and gives it His most sweet kiss as a token of peace and love. But this wedding, this union with you, requires your faith, charity, and obedience. Once you used to walk as you pleased; now you have to walk in the ways of His commandments. Previously you opposed His inspirations and admonitions, both internal and external; now you are bound to serve Him with faithful submission, lest you be like an adulteress and a prostitute. Before you were detached and laid-back; now, inflamed by the fire of charity, you have a task [f.101v] of doing good to all, but especially to those of the household of the faith (cf. Gal 6:10). Therefore, divest yourself of the old man, passionate and imperfect (cf. Eph 4:22; Col 3:9), and put on Jesus Christ. Is it not fitting that you shall be transformed into Him, whom you have received? 2. “But at last come also the other virgins” (Mt 25:11). Consider, that postponement and slow execution of good resolutions is greatly harmful and nearly similar to the foolishSLL, vol. 1, Typis Seminarii apud Joannem Manfrè, Patavii 1758, p. 141 (s.v. Cimmeri).
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