Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/246



First Point. — Consider  with  astonishment  the  excessive liberality  with  which  Jesus  Christ  has  treated  you; by this  one  Communion  you  are  infinitely  elevated above all  that  the  world  calls  great — you  are  happier than if  you  enjoyed  all  the  delights  of  the  universe — richer than  if  you  possessed  all  its  treasures — and more dignified  than  if  you  were  its  sole  sovereign. Ah! if you  understood  the  gift  of  God,  if  you  had a just idea  of  your  own  dignity,  how  soon  would  you despise every  thing  in  this  world! Penetrated with gratitude for  the  greatness  of  the  benefit  you  have received, you  should  exclaim  with  the  Royal  Prophet: What shall  I render  to  the  Lord  for  all  he  has done for  me? how shall I testify  my  gratitude? Do not  on  this  important  matter  deceive  yourself  as many  do. Do not  imagine  that  so  great  a benefit as a Communion  is  worthily  acknowledged  by  the most fervent  expressions  of  thanksgiving. It is  not those who  say,  Lord,  Lord,  that  shall  enter  into  the kingdom of  heaven; nor  is  it  those  that  multiply acts of  gratitude,  who  afterwards  prove  themselves truly grateful  for  the  happiness  of  communicating. “Sincere gratitude  for  any  benefit,”  says  St.  Thomas, “consists chiefly  in  esteeming  the  benefit  as  it deserves,  and  in  endeavouring  to  make  our  benefactor an  adequate  return.”  This  is  seldom  thought