421 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts directs its thoughts to the future judgment: for they do all with fear, while they consider cautiously before how great a Judge they will stand.”202 [f.134v] 2. “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (Jn 12:31). Now, realize that through Holy Communion whatever hold the flesh, or the demon, or the world had over you will be cast off; yet only if you prepare yourself worthily to receive it. For he who does not apply any care in preparing himself does not merit receiving any grace in Holy Communion. Therefore, for want of proper preparation, so many shall perish among those unworthily approaching Christ’s table! Let Judas alone be an example for you: the reception of the Lord’s Body at the Last Supper did no good to him, since he was already resolved to hand over to the Jews the One he received. The most beneficial remedy of the Divine Body will not heal your soul, if you are afflicted with the illnesses of envy, rancor, or hatred. Therefore, do you want the prince of the world to be cast out from your heart? Cast out first whatever animosity you nourish deep in your soul. 3. “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all to [M]yself” (Jn 12:32). Consider how effective afflictions and persecutions are for the edification of your neighbor! Indeed, seeing somebody in a sorry plight, people not only sympathize with him, but also wish that they could learn from similar afflictions, perceiving a great hope of salvation to be stored in them. Wherefore Christ the Lord, when He willed to don the glory of Divinity on Mount Tabor, took only three disciples as witnesses of His Transfiguration (cf. Mt 17:1-2) because He realized that it would result in rather small advantages for people’s salvation. But indeed, when He was to suffer, then He was lifted up from the earth, placed on a high tree, crucified on a lofty mountain in the metropolitan city of Judea, and tormented in a place much 202 Gregorius Magnus, Moralium Libri: Expositio Librium B. Job — Liber VIII (Job VII, 8), in: PL, vol. 75, Ateliers catholiques du Petit-Montrouge, Paris 1862, p. 820 (n. 256).
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