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is regained in the soul； and the beauty which was disfigured by sin
returneth again。 So great sometimes is this grace that out of the fulness
of devotion given； not only the mind but also the weak body feeleth that
more strength is supplied unto it。
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12。 But greatly must we mourn and lament over our lukewarmness and
negligence； that we are not drawn by greater affection to become partakers
of Christ； in whom all the hope and merit of those that are to be saved
consist。 For He Himself is our sanctification and redemption。（1） He is
the consolation of pilgrims and the eternal fruition of the Saints。
Therefore it is grievously to be lamented that many so little consider this
health…giving mystery； which maketh heaven glad and preserveth the
whole world。 Alas for the blindness and hardness of man's heart； that he
considereth not more this unspeakable gift； and even slippeth down
through the daily use； into carelessness。
13。 For if this most holy Sacrament were celebrated in one place only；
and were consecrated only by one priest in the whole world； with what
great desire thinkest thou； would men be affected towards that place and
towards such a priest of God； that they might behold the divine mysteries
celebrated？ But now are many men made priests and in many places the
Sacrament is celebrated； that the grace and love of God towards men
might the more appear； the more widely the Holy Communion is spread
abroad over all the world。 Thanks be unto Thee； O good Jesus； Eternal
Shepherd； who hast vouchsafed to refresh us； poor and exiled ones； with
Thy precious Body and Blood； and to invite us to partake these holy
mysteries by the invitation from Thine own mouth； saying； Come unto Me；
ye who labour and are heavy laden； and I will refresh you。
（1） 1 Corinthians i。 30。
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CHAPTER 96
The Voice of the Disciple
Trusting in Thy goodness and great mercy； O Lord； I draw near； the
sick to the Healer； the hungering and thristing to the Fountain of life； the
poverty…stricken to the King of heaven； the servant to the Lord； the
creature to the Creator； the desolate to my own gentle Comforter。 But
whence is this unto me； that Thou comest unto me？ Who am I that Thou
shouldest offer me Thyself？ How doth a sinner dare to appear before Thee？
And how dost thou vouchsafe to come to the sinner？ Thou knowest Thy
servant； and Thou knowest that he hath in him no good thing for which
Thou shouldest grant him this grace。 I confess therefore mine own
vileness； I acknowledge Thy goodness； I praise Thy tenderness； and I give
Thee thanks for Thine exceeding great love。 For Thou doest this for
Thine own sake； not for my merits； that Thy goodness may be more
manifest unto me； Thy charity more abundantly poured out upon me； and
Thy humility more perfectly commended unto me。 Therefore because
this pleaseth Thee and Thou hast commanded that thus it shall be； Thy
condescension pleaseth me also； and oh that mine iniquity hinder it not。
2。 O most sweet and tender Jesus； what reverence； what giving of
thanks is due to Thee with perpetual praise for the receiving of Thy sacred
Body and Blood； the dignity whereof no man is found able to express。
But what shall I think upon in this Communion in approaching my Lord；
whom I am not able worthily to honour； and nevertheless whom I long
devoutly to receive？ What shall be better and more healthful meditation
for me； than utter humiliation of myself before Thee； and exaltation of
Thine infinite goodness towards me？ I praise Thee； O my God； and exalt
Thee for evermore。 I despise myself； and cast myself down before Thee
into the deep of my vileness。
3。 Behold； Thou art the Saint of saints and I the refuse of sinners；
behold； Thou stoopest unto me who am not worthy to look upon Thee；
behold； Thou comest unto me； Thou willest to be with me； Thou invitest
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me to Thy feast。 Thou willest to give me the heavenly food and bread of
angels to eat； none other； in truth； than Thyself； The living bread； which
didst descend from heaven； and givest life to the world。（1）
4。 Behold； whence this love proceedeth！ what manner of condescenion
shineth forth herein。 What great giving of thanks and praise is due unto
Thee for these benefits！ Oh how salutary and profitable Thy purpose
when Thou didst ordain this！ How sweet and pleasant the feast when
Thou didst give Thyself for food！ Oh how admirable is thy working； O
Lord； how mighty Thy power； how unspeakable Thy truth！ For Thou
didst speak the word； and all things were made； and this is done which
Thou hast commanded。
5。 A thing wonderful； and worthy of faith； and surpassing all the
understanding of man； that Thou； O Lord my God； very God and very man；
givest Thyself altogether to us in a little bread and wine； and art so our
inexhaustible food。 Thou； O Lord of all； who hast need of nothing； hast
willed to dwell in us through Thy Sacrament。 Preserve my heart and my
body undefiled； that with a joyful and pure conscience I may be able very
often to ＇celebrate； and＇（2） receive to my perpetual health。 Thy
mysteries； which Thou hast consecrated and instituted both for Thine own
honour； and for a perpetual memorial。
6。 Rejoice； O my soul； and give thanks unto God for so great a gift and
precious consolation； left unto thee in this vale of tears。 For so oft as
thou callest this mystery to mind and receivest the body of Christ； so often
dost thou celebrate the work of thy redemption； and art made partaker of
all the merits of Christ。 For the charity of Christ never groweth less； and
the greatness of His