. Discussion of CHAPTER 35 The Way of Perfection Describes - the recollection which should be practiced after Communion. Concludes - this subject with an exclamatory prayer to the Eternal Father. . |
█ Post Communion Prayer
♦ St. Teresa continues to discuss the importance
of remaining in prayer
after the reception of Holy Communion.
"the great importance
of our entering into solitude with God"
♦ Spiritual Communion
She also teaches
that if one can not receive Communion
they can still make a Spiritual Communion.
When we are not able to receive Jesus
in the Holy Eucharist,
we can prayer to Him
that he come into our souls spiritually
so that we can receive Spiritual Communion.
It is "entering into solitude with God".
"When you hear Mass
without communicating, daughters,
you may communicate spiritually,
which is extremely profitable".
Also after Spiritual Communion,
she urges a lengthy Post Communion prayer
"afterwards you may practise
inward recollection
in exactly the same way,
for this impresses upon us
a deep love of the Lord".
█ Importance of both
Preparation
before Holy Communion
before Holy Communion
and
Remaining with Him in Prayer
after Holy Communion
"But when we try to approach the Lord
there is this difference:
if the soul
◦ is properly disposed, and
◦ comes with the intention
of driving out the cold,
and
◦ stays for some time where it is,
it will retain its warmth for several hours,
and
if any little spark flies out,
it will set it on fire".
"It is of such importance,...
for us to prepare ourselves in thy way"
"But...do not give up this method,
for the Lord will use it
to prove your love for Him".
"We must endure something, therefore,
to show Him
that we have the desire to see Him"
"Remember
that there are few souls
who stay with Him
and follow Him in His trials"
"let us endure something for Him
and
His Majesty will repay us"
"If we prepare to receive Him,
He never fails to give,
and
He gives in many ways
that we cannot understand".
█ Gratitude to the Son for remaining
with us in the Eucharist
"He
suffers everything,
and
will continue to do so,
if He finds but one single soul
which will receive Him
and
which will love to have Him
as its Guest.
"and have Him
within itself with love."
Let this soul be yours, then,
"this wonderful way
which He seeks
˚ of showing
how much He loves us
and
˚ of helping us to bear our trials.
"good Jesus...has left nothing undone
that He could do for us
in granting sinners so great a favour..."
"Since His Holy Son has given us
this excellent way
in which we can offer Him up frequently
as a sacrifice,
let us make use of this precious gift
so that it may stay the advance
of such terrible evil and irreverence
as in many places is paid
to this Most Holy Sacrament.
█ Gratitude to the Father
"when He knows it
to be the will of His Beloved Son,
He will not hinder Him
in so excellent a work,
in which His Son
so fully reveals the love
which He has for His Father"
"for Thou hast granted
His prayer to Thee
to leave Him with us for to-day--
that is, until the end of the world.
If He were to go,
what would become of us?"
"What, then, can I do, my Creator,
but present to Thee
this most holy Bread,
which, though Thou gavest it to us,
I return to Thee,
beseeching Thee,
by the merits of Thy Son,
to grant me this favour,
which on so many counts
He has merited?
. John 6 32 ...my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. . |
"Do Thou, Lord,
calm this sea,
and
no longer allow this ship,
which is Thy Church,
to endure so great a tempest"
Save us, my Lord, for we perish"
. Matthew 8 24 And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep. 25 And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish. 26 And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. . |
| . End of Discussion of Chapter 35 The Way of Perfection . |
