examination of the heart 402 Like the merchants at the end of a market-day, who usually subject both the expenses and the profits to a strict reckoning, thus you should identify what profit you have obtained from Holy Communion. Have you found there any jewel? Guard it. 2. “They chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth” (Mt 13:48). Reflect profoundly on this parable about fish and, calling to memory the election of a fisherman to be the Highest Chief of the Apostles and the Church, consider carefully that the Teacher of Truth compared people to fish here. As, therefore, fishermen throw away bad fish and store good ones in vessels, thus the Supreme Judge of deeds is going to do with all men, admitting the righteous with Himself into the dwellings of the heavenly Kingdom, and thrusting the scoundrels down to hell. As for you, among which of these would you be numbered today? Truly, if you feel yourself striving for virtues and desiring to improve, [f.128v] rejoice: you are not to be counted among the unworthy. To be sure, God has already adopted you as chosen for Himself, putting Himself as a sign over your heart. FOR THE FEAST OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE BASILICA OF ST. MARY OF THE SNOWS191 Before Holy Communion 1. “While Jesus was speaking to the crowds”192 (cf. Lk 11:27). Consider that Christ the Lord was burning with such a great desire to gain souls that He would not pass by any group of people without instructing them in the salutary truths of faith. Consider that you, too, should not omit any occasion of gaining your neighbor; and therefore, whenever you have dealings 191 The Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome. 192 These exact words are not found in the Gospel, but rather St. Stanislaus based them on the context of the episode with the woman in the crowd, which begins with: “And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice” (Lk 11:27) [DRB].
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