443 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts called wise and were admitted to the marriage feast of the Lamb (cf. Rev 19:9) because they mortified their desire for all kinds of praise and loved to be disdained. Hence, learn what value worldly esteem and worldly contempt have with God. [f.142r] Ordinarily, God has in contempt those whom the world esteems highly; and on the contrary, God values greatly those whom the world holds in little regard. God hates those whom the world loves, and despises those whom the world admires. Think, therefore, what you would rather want to achieve: whether to be slighted by the world and esteemed by God, or to be slighted by God and esteemed by the world? It is more profitable to displease the world, than God: the creation, than the Creator. After Holy Communion 1. “went in with him to the wedding” (Mt 25:10). Consider that the admittance to celebrate thewedding solemnly with the immortal Lamb makes the wise virgins very happy. You also may consider yourself a participant of such happiness. For what better wedding would you want to have besides Most Holy Communion?There you have the divine food, the heavenly drink, a full measure of delights, an abundance of graces and goods. This is why you may congratulate yourself and applaud, since more than a few unwise souls were unable to obtain this benefit which you obtained today, because of negligence or because of rejection. Beware, lest after this mystical wedding you become foolish, remembering that the salt that lost its savor is good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden upon (cf. Mt 5:13). Therefore, you were admitted to God’s banquet for the sake of your prudence. Be on your guard, lest you lose it after the banquet. 2. “and the door was shut” (Mt 25:10). When you hear the words of the Savior about the shutting of the wedding banquet-room doors, you ought to think also about the enclosure of your heart. When the sons of this world celebrate a wedding feast, they make sure that the doors of the house
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