Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/122

 thee, O Lord! I need not  even  seek  thee  on  this altar; for in  this  happy  moment  I enjoy  thy  sacramental  presence. O divine Lord,  what  great  things hast thou  done  in  my  soul! But, my  God,  what  can be the  reason  that  I am  so  little  sensible  of  thy adorable presence? How is  it  possible  that  I conceal fire in  my  bosom,  and  yet  do  not  bum? ( Prov . vi. 27.) Why  am  I so  slothful  and  tepid,  when  I possess in my  soul  the  fountain  of  life  V Alas! how little return of  gratitude  hast  thou  ever  met  in  my  heart! but, my  God,  what  can  resist  thee? Hast thou  not often triumphed  over  hearts  equal  even  in  malice  to mine? Do then,  I conjure  thee,  that  for  which  thou art come; transform  me  into  thyself,  and  let  me experience  the  effect  of  the  petition  thou  didst  deign to make  on  our  behalf,  viz.,  that  we  should  be  one with thee,  as  thou  and  thy  heavenly  Father  art  one. ( John xvii.  21.)

ALMIGHTY God,  the  resurrection  and  the  life, he that  believeth  in  thee,  even  though  he  were dead, shall  certainly  live,  and  enjoy  in  thy  kingdom the true  liberty  of  the  children  of  God. Look then, I beseech thee,  with  compassion  and  mercy  on  those suffering souls  who  have  always  believed  and  confessed thy  name. O sovereign Lord,  remember  that they are  the  work  of  thy  own  hands  ( Job  x.  3), created in  thy  power,  redeemed  in  thy  mercy,  preserved in  thy  goodness,  and  formed  to  thy  adorable image. Ah! why then  hidest  thou  thy  adorable  face from those  who  have  been  dear  to  thy  sacred  heart, and who  long  to  behold  and  enjoy  thee,  their sovereign beatitude? Accept, O eternal  God,  in their  favour,  the  adorable  Victim  who  now  offers