Roger Baxter

“ And because it is dangerous to trust to ourselves, by the gift of counsel we are induced to suffer ourselves to be governed by others, especially superiors and directors. " Establish within thyself a heart of good counsel," for "the soul of a holy man discovereth true things more than seven watchmen who sit in a high place to watch." ”

“ To Receive the Holy Eucharist by Faith and Purity.
I. How necessary it is to prepare beforehand for the worthy receiving of holy communion; lest by approaching with a conscience loaded with mortal guilt, you convert the food of life into poison, or by communicating with indevotion and tepidity, you receive but little grace! Fearful of these evils, St. Paul exclaims to all Christendom, " Let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread." (1 Cor. xi. 28.) He that presumes to come to the marriage feast without the wedding garment, will be cast into utter darkness. ”

“ The Food of Life is handed to you under the appearances of bread, which appearances are miraculously preserved without their proper substance. There is no miracle so great as this in nature. Learn from all these considerations how well adorned with every virtue your soul ought to be when you approach the holy table. ”

“ II. The first condition requisite for a worthy communion is a lively faith. Faith is the ground-work and foundation of every virtue, and of every meritorious action. Hence the Apostle says, " Let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith." ”

“ Some believed in the doctrines of the Apostles, whilst others derided them, and said, " These men are full of new wine." There will never be wanting those in the world who will ridicule good actions; but not on that account ought you to desist from pursuing the career of virtue. Beseech our Lord that you may imbibe the same spirit which the Apostle did. i: He who is inebriated with the love of God," observes St. Bernard, "knows the relish of Jesus Christ; O how happy is that man whom He satiates; there is nothing left for him to desire." ”

“ Excite, therefore, a lively faith in your soul, as often as you approach this holy mystery; reject every temptation arising from the dictates of the senses, against a firm belief in the mystery; tell them that the veracity of God Himself, Whose revelations are not to be judged at the tribunal of man's weak senses and limited understanding, is pledged for its truth.
III. The second preparation requisite for a worthy communion is purity of mind and conscience. In proportion to the perfection of this purity, will you receive the benefits of the sacrament. ”

“ You have hitherto wandered up and down " through the ways of your own inventions," deviating from the boundaries of that virtue and perfection, to which God has called you. You have refused to devote to Him your external and internal actions. You take no longer delight in the rich pastures, in which God wishes you to dwell, but you have sought for satisfaction and pleasure in the things of the world. "All we, like sheep, have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way." ”

“ IV. The manna contained such a variety of tastes in itself that it had a different relish for every one that desired it, " serving every man's will, it was turned to what every man liked." (Wisdom xvi. 21.) In like manner the Eucharist supplies every one who approaches it with proper dispositions, with every virtue that can be desired. To some it is a source of humility, whilst others receive from it the virtue of chastity.
V. The sweetness of the manna was concealed from the wicked, and only enjoyed by the just, hence the former complained, " our soul now loatheth this very light food." ”

“ The sixth evil consequence of original sin, is a want of the love of God and our neighbor; "for where iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold." (Matt. xxiv. 12.) Against this evil a remedy is provided in the holy Eucharist, which inflames the heart with Divine love, and affords strong motives for the love of our neighbor.
II. Another consequence of original sin is an indisposition in the spiritual appetite, and a want of relish for spiritual things, for " the sensual man perceiveth not the things that are of the spirit of God." ”

“ The man who continually seeks the pleasures and happiness of this life alone, will soon lose every relish for the things of God. The holy Eucharist remedies this evil and enables the devout Christian to taste and see, " that the Lord is sweet." ”

“ The Life which the Holy Ghost Inspired the First Christians to Lead.
I. " They were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts ii. 42.) By these three means is our spiritual life preserved and nourished: 1. By hearing or reading the word of God. 2. By frequenting the sacraments, and particularly the sacrament of the altar. 3. By continued prayer. These were the means that the first Christians employed to increase in virtue and perfection, and by these alone can you hope to emulate their example. ”

“ I. We are not only provided with means of overcoming our infirmities by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, but these same gifts provide us with the% power of performing all good actions. " Wisdom" helps us to understand the perfections of God, and contemplate them with feeling affection. " Understanding" enables us to penetrate the mysteries of faith, and ponder the secrets that are concealed in them. " Knowledge" gives us the power of contemplating with profit all created things, inasmuch as they come from God and lead to Him. ”

“ The Eucharist Compared to the Tree of Life.— III.
I. In consequence of the sin of our first parents, man was rendered subject to eternal death. " We were by nature," says St. Paul, " the children of wrath." (Ephes. ii. 3.) From this penalty the Eucharist delivers us, because it gives eternal life. " If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever." (John vi. 32.) The tenth misery to which we are subject, is a continual decay in good, and a strong inclination to evil. " For the imagination and thoughts of man's heart, are prone to evil from his youth." ”

“ Ponder the greatness of the miracle: poor ignorant fishermen begin to speak the languages of all nations. These languages were not employed upon trifles, but upon the great wonders which Christ had performed for all mankind. In the same manner those who are influenced by the Divine Spirit always speak of divine things, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." ”

“ This corruption the Eucharist corrects and purifies, as the burning coal taken from the altar, purified the lips of Isaias. The fourth misery is the anger of the Creator against His sinful creatures. The Eucharistic sacrifice appeases His indignation and resembles the gift, of which the Wise Man speaks. ”

“ He leaves His ninety-nine others, that is, the innumerable angels in heaven, to go in quest of the one that was lost. He stood not in need of it, in any possible point of view; yet He spares neither pain nor labor, in endeavoring to find it. When He has found it, He neither chastises nor reproaches it, but laying it upon His shoulders, brings it home again to the fold. "What is man," O God, "that Thou shouldst magnify him? ”

“ He gives us wisdom to counteract our folly; understanding, our dulness; counsel, our rashness; fortitude, our fear; knowledge, our ignorance; piety, our indevotion; and the fear of God, our pride."
III. How frequently you are subject to all these infirmities; how frequently you prefer time to eternity; how sluggish you are in things that relate to the service of God; how fearful you are in the least difficulty ”

“ IX. The manna in equal proportion served for children as well as men, for the young as well as the old; in the same manner the Eucharist produces different effects, according to the capacity of those who receive it, and the dispositions of those who approach it. ”

“ III. With what fervor, humility, and devotion Abraham received the three angels who were an emblem of the Holy Trinity! "He received three, but he adored only one," writes St. Augustine, "saying, Lord if I have found favor in Thy sight, pass not away from Thy servant. " He then ran to his herd, took one of his best calves, boiled it, and placed it before them. Act in the same manner, and present your guests with the best gift you can make them. ”

“ The more vile this Son of God' has become for my sake, by so much the more is He dear ta me." Do not alienate His affections by sinning against Him. Though Jesus Christ be infinitely good and infinitely merciful, He is still infinitely just. ”