examination of the heart 360 FOR THE FEAST OF STS. PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES Before Holy Communion 1. “Let not your hearts be troubled” (Jn 14:1). Consider that, perhaps, the Lord’s disciples were anxious to know something about His Father (cf. Jn 14:8), as well as about the heavenly Kingdom, of which they knew nothing. But the Lord, having first consoled them most sweetly, exhorts them to be cheerful and to lay fear aside. He tells them that they shall obtain, learn, and accomplish more than they could wish for. You, on the other hand, allow your heart to be upset by vain worries and ensnared by tumults, which render it unfit for God’s service. What is there under the heavens that could disturb and make anxious a servant of Christ, who is completely relying on God? No cross or momentary evil. Eternal happiness is your one and only concern, the concern which you also should entrust to the all-good and greatest God, rather than to your prudence and diligence. There is no doubt, that if you do all that God called you to do and demands to have done, the reward of rejoicing in God will be given to you together with all the elect. 2. “believe also in [M]e” (Jn 14:1). Contemplate that God demands a great faith from you; greater indeed than from others whom He did not call to the religious state. But along with good and great faith, He also demands good and great works. He tells you to believe in Him; but at the same time, He instructs you to act the way He acted. As somebody said rightly: “faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:20) [DRB]. The apostles believed, but they were not saved only for that reason, but also because they fulfilled the law and the will of God. Christ wanted all of them to accomplish many things, to endure many things, and finally, to die for His Name. Consider, therefore, where your evil deeds are going to lead you. Indeed, you will not be saved solely by faith if in your life you do not do good things. Is it at all possible that you have good
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