April 7th
Book Four
Come to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord.
The bread that I will give is My flesh, for the life of the world.
Take and eat; this is my body, which shall be delivered for you; this do for the commemoration of Me.
He that eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Chapter 1
With how Great Reverence Christ Ought to be Received
Many run to different places to visit the relics of the saints, and wonder to hear of their remarkable deeds; they behold the spacious buildings of their churches, and kiss their sacred bones, enveloped in silk and gold: And behold, You are here present to me on the altar, my God, the Saint of saints, the Creator of men, and the Lord of angels....Here, in the sacrament of the altar, You are wholly present, my God, the man Christ Jesus; where also is derived, in full copiousness, the fruit of eternal salvation, as often as You are worthily and devoutly received....Thanks be to You, O good Jesus, eternal Shepherd, who has vouchsafed to feed us poor exiles with Your precious Body and Blood, and to invite us to the receiving these mysteries, even by an address from Your own mouth, saying: "Come to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you."
Sunday, April 7, 2013
April 6th
Book Three, Chapter 59
That all Hope and confidence is to be Fixed in God Alone
You are the fountain of all good, the height of life, and the depth of wisdom; and to trust in You above all things is the strongest comfort of Your servants.
To You do I lift up my eyes; in You, O my God, Father of mercies, I put my trust.
Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly benediction, that it may be made Your holy habitation and the seat of Your eternal glory; and let nothing be found in the Temple of Your divinity that may offend the eyes of Your majesty.
According to the greatness of Your goodness and the multitude of Your tender mercies, look down upon me, and give ear to the prayer of Your poor servant, a far-distant exile in the region of the shadow of death.
Protect and preserve the soul of Your poor servant amid so many dangers of this corruptible life, and direct him by Your accompanying grace, along the path of peace, to the land of perpetual light. Amen.
Book Three, Chapter 59
That all Hope and confidence is to be Fixed in God Alone
You are the fountain of all good, the height of life, and the depth of wisdom; and to trust in You above all things is the strongest comfort of Your servants.
To You do I lift up my eyes; in You, O my God, Father of mercies, I put my trust.
Bless and sanctify my soul with heavenly benediction, that it may be made Your holy habitation and the seat of Your eternal glory; and let nothing be found in the Temple of Your divinity that may offend the eyes of Your majesty.
According to the greatness of Your goodness and the multitude of Your tender mercies, look down upon me, and give ear to the prayer of Your poor servant, a far-distant exile in the region of the shadow of death.
Protect and preserve the soul of Your poor servant amid so many dangers of this corruptible life, and direct him by Your accompanying grace, along the path of peace, to the land of perpetual light. Amen.
Friday, April 5, 2013
April 5th
Book Three, Chapter 58
Of not Searching into High Matters, nor Scrutinizing the Secret Judgments of God
Beware of disputing about high matters and of the hidden judgments of God: why this man is so forsaken, and that other raised to so great grace: or why this person is so much afflicted, and that so highly exalted. Such things exceed all human comprehension, nor is any reason or disputation competent to investigate the divine judgments.
When, therefore, the enemy suggests such to you, or certain curious men inquire into them, answer you with the Prophet: You are just, O Lord, and Your judgment is right. And again: The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
My judgments are to be feared, not to be discussed, because they are incomprehensible to human understanding.
Book Three, Chapter 58
Of not Searching into High Matters, nor Scrutinizing the Secret Judgments of God
Beware of disputing about high matters and of the hidden judgments of God: why this man is so forsaken, and that other raised to so great grace: or why this person is so much afflicted, and that so highly exalted. Such things exceed all human comprehension, nor is any reason or disputation competent to investigate the divine judgments.
When, therefore, the enemy suggests such to you, or certain curious men inquire into them, answer you with the Prophet: You are just, O Lord, and Your judgment is right. And again: The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
My judgments are to be feared, not to be discussed, because they are incomprehensible to human understanding.
April 4th
Book Three, Chapter 57
That a Man Should not be too Much Dejected When he Falls into Some Defects
Patience and humility under adversity please Me more than much consolation and devotion in prosperity....All is not lost, though you feel yourself often afflicted or grievously tempted. Man you are, and not God; you are flesh, not an angel. How can you continue ever in the same state of virtue, when this was wanting to the angels in heaven, and to the first man in paradise? I am He who raises up to safety them that mourn; and them that know their own infirmity I promote to My own divinity.
Book Three, Chapter 57
That a Man Should not be too Much Dejected When he Falls into Some Defects
Patience and humility under adversity please Me more than much consolation and devotion in prosperity....All is not lost, though you feel yourself often afflicted or grievously tempted. Man you are, and not God; you are flesh, not an angel. How can you continue ever in the same state of virtue, when this was wanting to the angels in heaven, and to the first man in paradise? I am He who raises up to safety them that mourn; and them that know their own infirmity I promote to My own divinity.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
April 3rd
Book Three, Chapter 56
That we Ought to Deny Ourselves, and Imitate Christ by the Cross
As much as you can go out of yourself, so much will you be able to enter into Me. As the desiring nothing exteriorly brings peace, so does the relinquishing yourself interiorly unite you unto God. I will have you learn the perfect renunciation of yourself, according to My will, without contradiction or complaint. Follow Me: I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Book Three, Chapter 56
That we Ought to Deny Ourselves, and Imitate Christ by the Cross
As much as you can go out of yourself, so much will you be able to enter into Me. As the desiring nothing exteriorly brings peace, so does the relinquishing yourself interiorly unite you unto God. I will have you learn the perfect renunciation of yourself, according to My will, without contradiction or complaint. Follow Me: I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
April 2nd
Book Three, Chapter 55
Of the Corruption of Nature and of the Efficacy of Divine Grace
I often make many good purposes, but because grace is wanting to help my weakness, through a light resistance I recoil and fall off. Hence it comes to pass, that I know the way of perfection, and see clearly enough what I ought to do, but pressed down with the weight of my own corruption, I rise not to the things that are more perfect.
Oh, how supremely necessary for me, O Lord, is Your grace, to begin that which is good, to go forward with it, and accomplish it. For without it I can do nothing; but I can do all things in You, when grace strengthens me.
O grace, truly celestial, without which our own merits are nothing, neither are the gifts of nature to be esteemed!...for the gifts of nature are common to the good and to the bad; but grace or divine love is the proper gift of the elect, with which they are are adorned are esteemed worthy of eternal life....
I beseech You, O Lord, that I may find grace in Your eyes; for sufficient for me is Your grace, though I obtain none of those things which nature desires.
Book Three, Chapter 55
Of the Corruption of Nature and of the Efficacy of Divine Grace
I often make many good purposes, but because grace is wanting to help my weakness, through a light resistance I recoil and fall off. Hence it comes to pass, that I know the way of perfection, and see clearly enough what I ought to do, but pressed down with the weight of my own corruption, I rise not to the things that are more perfect.
Oh, how supremely necessary for me, O Lord, is Your grace, to begin that which is good, to go forward with it, and accomplish it. For without it I can do nothing; but I can do all things in You, when grace strengthens me.
O grace, truly celestial, without which our own merits are nothing, neither are the gifts of nature to be esteemed!...for the gifts of nature are common to the good and to the bad; but grace or divine love is the proper gift of the elect, with which they are are adorned are esteemed worthy of eternal life....
I beseech You, O Lord, that I may find grace in Your eyes; for sufficient for me is Your grace, though I obtain none of those things which nature desires.
Monday, April 1, 2013
April 1st
Book Three, Chapter 54
Of the Different Motions of Nature and Grace
Grace teaches, therefore, to restrain the senses, to avoid vain complacency and ostentation, humbly to hide those things which are worthy of praise and admiration; and from everything, and in every knowledge, to seek the fruit of utility, and the praise and honor of God.
She desires not to have self, or what belongs to self, exalted; but wishes that God may be blessed in His gifts, who bestows all things through mere love. This grace is a supernatural light, and a certain special gift of God, the proper mark of the elect, and pledge of eternal salvation; which elevates a man from earthly things to love such as are heavenly, and from carnal makes him spiritual.
Wherefore, as nature is the more kept down and subdued, with so much the greater abundance is grace infused; and every day by new visitations the interior man is reformed according to the image of God.
Book Three, Chapter 54
Of the Different Motions of Nature and Grace
Grace teaches, therefore, to restrain the senses, to avoid vain complacency and ostentation, humbly to hide those things which are worthy of praise and admiration; and from everything, and in every knowledge, to seek the fruit of utility, and the praise and honor of God.
She desires not to have self, or what belongs to self, exalted; but wishes that God may be blessed in His gifts, who bestows all things through mere love. This grace is a supernatural light, and a certain special gift of God, the proper mark of the elect, and pledge of eternal salvation; which elevates a man from earthly things to love such as are heavenly, and from carnal makes him spiritual.
Wherefore, as nature is the more kept down and subdued, with so much the greater abundance is grace infused; and every day by new visitations the interior man is reformed according to the image of God.
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