examination of the heart 462 You were visited by the greatest and worthiest guest, Jesus, coming from high Heaven. Who would not give himself wholly to joy, when walking at night, wandering through dense and dark woods, he would see a light somewhere nearby? This has happened to you; to you who were not just wandering at night, losing your way through the retreats of the dark woods with trembling and confusion, but were already dwelling entirely in the dark region of death, truly surrounded by the darkness of so many and such great imperfections and passions; to whom the Light arose. It will lead you, not like Ursa Major leads sailors to the port, but like that rare Star that led those three Princes to the Boy-God Himself, not lying down and whimpering in the stable in Bethlehem by then, but seating and ruling on the throne [f.148v] of everlasting glory. Rejoice, therefore, rejoice and rise! Follow this Light. Put on your fortitude, put on the garments of your glory, Jerusalem, pious soul: the city, the abode, the dwelling of the Saint of the Saints. For if you will rise and follow this light, namely the will of God, your Savior will no longer permit the obstinate spirit of wickedness to pass through you and the unclean longing to be your master. FOR THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR Before Holy Communion 1. “Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town” (Mt 23:34). Consider that the “prophets” are divine impulses and inspirations which the Lord sends to you sometimes in order to raise you up from your sins, to incite you to penance, to bring you back from evil to good works. The “wise men” are the counsels of your spiritual fathers and injunctions of your directors along the way of God’s commandments. The “scribes” means the reading of the sacred books which instruct you, that you may live more per-
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