Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/139

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121
121

am in thy presence, in the presence of thee, who art “ the beginning and the end,” who art “ He was to come,” who art “ the Lord,” “ the first and the last,” “inhabiting eternity,” and holding “the keys of death and of hell.” “ Power and wisdom, and greatness and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing,” be to my Redeemer, for ever and ever. I adore thy Sacred Heart. Take me within it.

AT THE PATER NOSTER.

PRECIOUS prayer, which came from the Sacred Heart, and ought to penetrate mine with the sweet sword of his love. The Heart of God the Father toward us was such as he manifested, who proceeded from his Heart. He who has given us himself, how will he not in himself give us all things? “ What wouldst thou that I should do for Thee?” already he asks. What shall I ask him for? O what treasures St. Francis and St. Gertrude got from his Sacred Heart! His arm is not shortened nor his power diminished, nor his strength exhausted. That Heart is a miracle of goodness. He bids me ask: What can I desire better than himself? If I ask aught else I shall have but a part. Hear me! I ask, I entreat, I implore. Give me your holy love, and then yourself, O increated beauty of the Father, O most beautiful among the sons of men!

AT THE COMMUNION.

O MY Saviour! there is no place more worthy of thee than thyself. Empty me, then, of myself, O my God, and establish thyself within me; so that when thou comest to me, thou mayst be received not by me, but by thyself, and with the same love that thou bearest thyself.