Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/459

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2. Retire frequently into your heart, in order to renew an act of adoration of Jesus, or of thanksgiving for the loving visit He made you in the morning, and rekindle the fire of divine charity by some holy aspiration. We would not so quickly lose the fervor of devotion and the love of God, if we took greater pains about this; and Jesus Christ would not have to lament the coldness of men toward Him, if they only thought oftener of His benefits and His love, especially in the Most Holy Sacrament, and thanked Him becomingly.

3. Frequently renew the offering of your heart to our dear Lord. By giving Himself to you, He desires to gain you to His love; He earnestly asks you to give Him your heart in exchange for the infinite gift He has bestowed upon you. Will you be so ungrateful as to deny Him your heart, and to give it to the world and the devil on the very day on which He has come to take possession of it? Ah! no; this must not be; you have consecrated your heart to Jesus in your communion; you must ratify and confirm this offering; and if the world, with its enticements, vanities, and false pleasures, wishes to enter into your heart, say that you have given it forever to Jesus. If the devil with his suggestions, and the flesh with its temptations, assail your heart, answer generously and courageously that you have given it to Jesus, to be His and His alone and forever. Oh, if all Christians were but to do this after their communion, they would preserve the grace of God and not relapse into sin.

4. Remember that your tongue has received Jesus, that it has touched His sacred body when you went to communion. Only recall this thought to mind when you feel tempted to speak impatiently, or so as to offend or injure your neighbor; and surely it will keep you from offending Jesus with that tongue which has been sanctified by the touch of His sacred flesh.

5. In connection with your visits to the Blessed Sacrament, make a spiritual communion, renewing in the most lively manner your desire to receive our dear Lord into your heart. Remember, for love of us Jesus remains night and day in the tabernacle, ardently desiring to communicate