The Imitation of Christ (Penguin Classics) by Kempis Thomas À

Author:Kempis, Thomas À [Kempis, Thomas À]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780141932002
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2013-02-07T05:00:00+00:00

FOURTEEN

On the zealous desire for the Body of Christ

DISCIPLE: Lord, what treasures of loving kindness do You preserve for those who fear You.1 When I reflect on those devout Christians who attend Your Sacrament with the deepest devotion and love, I feel ashamed and astonished that I approach Your altar and the table for Holy Communion with such a cold and lukewarm heart. I remain so miserly and lacking in love. So my heart does not burn within me in Your presence and I am neither strongly drawn, nor lovingly disposed, as many devout people have been. For, out of their zealous desire for Communion and deep love for You, they cannot hold back their tears but out of the depth of their souls yearn, both with the heart and body, for You, O God, the source of living water.2 There was no other way in which they could gratify or satisfy their hunger except by receiving Your Body, with great joy and eagerness of spirit.

How true was their enthusiastic faith, which was in itself a clear expression of Your divine presence. For they really know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose hearts burn within them so fully when Jesus walks with them.3 I rarely feel such devout affection and unconditional love. O good and kind Jesus have mercy on me and grant to me, Your miserable beggar, to feel at least sometimes a bit of that deepest desire for Your love in Holy Communion. Thus my faith may be strengthened; my hope in Your goodness may be encouraged; and love, once fully ignited, having tasted the bread of heaven, may never die out. Your generosity is strong enough to give me even this grace which I desire. So grant me, I pray, when it shall please You of Your grace and kindness, the spirit of enthusiasm. For, though I do not burn with such zealous desire as those who are totally devoted to You, I long to have that great and burning desire. I plead and pray that, through Your grace, I may have a part with all Your true lovers and be numbered in their holy company.

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