Of the Imitation of Christ/Book IV/Chapter III
CHAPTER III.
THAT IT IS PROFITABLE TO COMMUNICATE OFTEN.
EHOLD, O Lord, I come unto Thee, that
I may be comforted, and delight in
Thy holy banquet, which Thou, O God,
hast of Thy goodness prepared for the
poor.
Behold in Thee is all whatsoever I can or ought to desire; and Thou art my salvation and my redemption, my hope and my strength, my honour and glory.
Make therefore this day the soul of Thy servant to rejoice; for unto Thee, O Lord Jesu, have I lifted up my soul.
I long to receive Thee now with devotion and reverence. I desire to bring Thee into my house, that with Zaccheus I may be blessed by Thee, and be numbered amongst the children of Abraham.
My soul thirsteth to receive Thy body and blood, my heart longeth to unite to Thee.
2. Give Thyself to me, and it sufficeth; for beside Thee there is no comfort.
Without Thee I cannot be; without Thy visitation I cannot live.
And therefore I must needs often draw near unto Thee, and receive Thee for the medicine of my soul; lest haply I faint by the way, if I be deprived of Thy heavenly food.
For so, most merciful Jesus, Thou once didst say, when preaching to the people, and curing divers diseases, "I will not send them home fasting, lest they faint in the way."
Deal Thou therefore in like manner now with me, who hast vouchsafed to leave Thyself in this sacrament for the comfort of the faithful.
For Thou art the sweet refection of the soul: and he that eateth Thee worthily shall be partaker and heir of everlasting glory.
It is necessary for me, who so often fall into error and sin, and so quickly wax dull and faint, that by frequent prayer and confession, and receiving of Thy holy body and blood, I renew, cleanse, and inflame myself, lest haply, by long abstaining, I fall away from my holy purposes.
3. For the imaginations of man are prone unto evil from his youth, and unless some divine remedy help him, he falleth away to worse things.
This Holy Communion therefore draweth us back from evil, and strengtheneth us in good.
For if I be now so often negligent when I communicate; what would become of me if I received not this remedy, and sought not after so great a help?
Although I be not every day fit nor well prepared; I will endeavour notwithstanding at due times to receive the divine mysteries, and to be partaker of so great a grace.
For this is the one chief consolation of faithful souls, so long as they are absent from Thee in this mortal body, that being mindful of their God, they often receive their beloved with devout mind.
4. O the wonderful condescension of Thy tender mercy towards us, that Thou, O Lord God, the creator and giver of life to all spirits, dost vouchsafe to come unto a poor soul, and with Thy whole deity and humanity to satisfy the hunger thereof!
O happy minds and blessed souls, who have the privilege of receiving Thee, their Lord God, with devout affection, and in so receiving Thee are permitted to be filled with spiritual joy.
O how great a Lord do they entertain! how beloved a guest do they harbour! how delightful a companion do they receive! how faithful a friend do they welcome! how lovely and noble a spouse do they embrace! even Him who is to be loved above all things that are loved.
O Thou most sweet, most beloved, let heaven and earth, and all therein, be silent in Thy presence. For what praise and beauty soever they have, it is received from Thy bounteous condescension, and shall never equal the grace and beauty of Thy name.