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 children of men. For this reason, O amiable Redeemer, thou hast instituted a peculiar sacrament of love, in which we might find the treasure and source of all heavenly blessings, through which we might enter into the sanctuary of thy inflamed heart, and there meet with secure repose in life, and sweet comfort in death. With these most bountiful dispositions, thou hast vouchsafed to reside on our altars, to be our constant sacrifice, in order to avert the anger of thy eternal Father, excited by our repeated sins. Hither thou continually invitest us to come, and partake of this heavenly food, which none but an infinite love could have prepared. What is there thou couldest have done to gain the heart of thy people, and hast not done? But how insensible, O bountiful Redeemer, have we been of those great blessings and favors! We have shown irreverence, disrespect, and even contempt before thy divine majesty, in whose presence the saints and angels bend with awe, and the heavens themselves tremble. Whilst offered on our altars, the same offences, the same indignity and ingratitude, are committed by those very people who have often been fed at thy sacred table, nourished with thy own substance, and on whom thou hast placed the love of thy heart.

O amiable Heart of my dearest Saviour, who can express thy affliction at the sight of such ingratitude? But how long, sweet Jesus, will thy adorable heart be thus despised and contemned by wicked man? How long wilt thou permit thyself to be betrayed into the hands of thy mortal enemies? How long wilt thou suffer their scorn and contempt of thy majesty in the adorable sacrament of the altar? Sorely afflicted at the thought of these injustices and sacrileges, I cast myself with all humility at the throne of thy mercy. Graciously hear, sweet Jesus, thy servant, who, in behalf of the whole Church, here presents