Chap. X That the Holy Communion Is Not Lightly to Be Forborne
The Voice of the Beloved.
1. Thou oughtest often to have recourse to the fountain of Grace, and of Divine Mercy; to the Fountain of all Goodness and Purity; that thou mayest be healed of thy passions and vices, and be made more strong and vigilant against all the temptations and deceits of the devil.
The enemy, knowing the very great advantage and remedy which is in the holy communion, strives by all means and occasions, as much as he is able, to withdraw and hinder faithful and devout persons from it.
2. For when some are preparing themselves for the sacred communion, they suffer the greater assault of Satan.
This wicked spirit, as it is written in Job, cometh among the sons of God to trouble them with his accustomed malice, or to make them ever fearful and perplexed, that so he may diminish their devotion, or by his assaults take away their faith: it haply they may altogether forbear the communion, or at least approach to it with tepidity.
But there is no heed to be taken of his wiles, and suggestions, be they never so filthy and abominable; but all his attempts art to be turned back upon his own head.
The wretch is to be contemned and scorned, nor is the holy communion to be omitted for his assaults, and the commotions which he causeth.
3. Oftentimes also a person is hindered by too great solicitude for obtaining devotion, and a certain anxiety about making his confession.
Follow herein the counsel of the wise, and put away all anxiety and scruple; for it hindereth the grace of God, and destroyeth devotion.
Leave not the holy communion for every small trouble or vexation, but go quickly to confession, and willingly forgive others their offences against thee.
And if thou hast offended any one, humbly crave pardon, and God will readily forgive thee.
4. What doth it avail to delay thy confession for a long time, or to put off the holy communion?
Purge thyself with speed, spit out the venom presently, make haste to take this remedy, and thou shalt find it to be better with thee, than if thou hadst deferred it for a long time.
If thou lettest it alone to-day for this cause, perhaps to-morrow a greater will fall out, and so thou mayest be hindered a long time from communion, and become more unfit:
With all possible speed shake off this heaviness and sloth, for it is to no purpose to continue long in disquiet, to pass a long time in trouble, and for these daily impediments to withdraw thyself from the divine mysteries.
Yea, it is very hurtful to defer the communion long; for this usually causeth a great lukewarmness and numbness.
Alas! some tepid and dissolute people are willing to put off their confession, and desire that their communion should be deferred, lest they should be obliged thereby to keep a stricter watch over themselves.
5 Ah! how little is their love of God, how weak is their devotion who so easily put by the sacred communion?
How happy is he, and acceptable to God, who so liveth, and keepeth his conscience in such purity, as to be ready and well disposed to communicate every day, if it were permitted, and he might do it without note.
If sometimes a person abstains out of humility, or by reason of some lawful impediment, he is to be commended for his reverence.
But if sloth steal upon him, he must stir up himself, and do what lieth in him; and God will assist his desire, for his good will, which he chiefly regards.
6. And when he is lawfully hindered, he must yet always have a good will and a pious intention to communicate, and so he shall not lose the fruit of the sacrament.
For every devout man may every day and hour receive Christ spiritually without any prohibition, and with profit to his soul.
And yet on certain days, and at the time appointed, he ought to receive sacramentally with an affectionate reverence the body of his Redeemer, and rather aim at the honour of God, than seek his own comfort.
For he communicates mystically, and is invisibly fed, as often as he devoutly calleth to mind the mystery of the incarnation of Christ, and his passion; and is inflamed with the love of him.
7. He that prepareth not himself, but when a festival draweth near, or when custom compelleth him thereunto, shall often be unprepared.
Blessed is he that offereth himself up as an holocaust to the Lord, as often as he celebrates or communicates.
Be neither too long, nor too hasty in celebrating, but observe the good common manner of those with whom thou livest.
Thou oughtest not to be tedious and troublesome to others, but to keep the common way, according to the appointment of superiors; and rather suit thyself to the profit of others, than to thine own devotion or affection.