things." (Ps. cvi. 9.) Excite in your soul, therefore, this hunger and thirst, as often as you approach this holy table. " Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it," says the Lord. (Ps. lxxx. 11.)
II. To this desire must be added earnest prayer, for God bestows His blessings on those who ask them. Therefore King David said; "They asked and the quail came, and He filled them with the bread of heaven." (Ps. civ. 40.) If, therefore, you wish to be satisfied with this heavenly food, you must surrender your soul to meditation and prayer. " I sat down under His shadow, whom I desired," says the spouse in the canticles. (Cant, ii. 3.) "I sat," that is, in holy meditation and contemplation; and having experienced their sweetness, the spouse immediately adds, " and His fruit was sweet to my palate."
III. You must not wonder, if after diligent preparation on your part, you do not immediately discover the sweetness of this heavenly food. As a skilful physician sometimes prescribes medicine, which is disagreeable to the palate, and sometimes that which is agreeable, so does God temper the sweetness of this Divine food, in such a manner, that some feed on it with sensible devotion, whilst others only relish it by the knowledge and satisfaction, which they receive of its great benefits. Submit yourself, therefore, to this heavenly Physician, and beg of Him to give you that relish of this holy bread, which He knows to be most for your benefit.
