MONDAY.
The Eucharist a Banquet.—II.
I. Everything that accompanies this Divine feast ten J; to increase its magnificence. The dignity of the guests, the quality and number of waiters, and the sumptuousness of the service, recommend an earthly festivity. In this feast the guests are the three Divine Persons of the Trinity. What can be more dignified or sublime? "If any man shall hear My voice," says the Redeemer by the mouth of His Apostle, "and open to Me the gate I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." (Apoc. iii. 20.) And again, " If any one love Me My Father will love him, and We will come to him and will make an abode with him." (John xiv. 23.)
II. The waiters are angels, the most excellent of all creatures by nature. " Thousands of thousands ministered to Him, and ten times a hundred thousand stood before Him." (Dan. vii. 10.) They assist their Lord, as the holy Fathers teach, during the time of Divine service, and remain with you as long as Christ is personally present. Learn with what reverence you ought to be present during the solemn hour of sacrifice, and during the time of holy Communion.
III. Though the celebration of the sacrifice of Mass may appear externally an ordinary ceremony, yet in reality it surpasses all the powers of nature. The Food of Life is handed to you under the appearances of bread, which appearances are miraculously preserved without their proper substance. There is no miracle so great as this in nature. Learn from all these considerations how well adorned with every virtue your soul ought to be
