Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/247

 of by  the  generality  of  communicants; they  would be ashamed  of  treating  an  earthly  friend  or  benefactor with indifference; they  would  reproach  themselves with insensibility,  if  they received favours  from  a fellow-creature  without  acknowledging  them,  and  would  be delighted  at  an  opportunity  of  repaying  them  with gratitude. It is  God  alone,  in  this  mystery  of  love, whose goodness  is  scarcely  ever  felt  or  acknowledged, and whose  most  precious  favours  do  not  often  induce his servants  to  make  him  even  a trifling  return. Let not this  be  your  case; be  you  at  least  that  thankful Samaritan, whose  first  care  was  to  cast  himself  at the  feet  of  his  Benefactor,  penetrated  with  gratitude for the  favour  he  had  received,  and  disposed  no doubt  to  acknowledge  it  to  the  best  of  his  power. Return this  day  to  give  glory  to  him,  who  has  given you his  precious  body  and  blood,  his  soul  and divinity, and  thus  rendered  you  in  some  respect  an object  of  envy  to  the  angels  themselves,  since  they never received  that  mark  of  infinite  love. Beg of God  most  earnestly  to  enlighten  your  mind,  that  you may understand  the  greatness  of  the  favour  conferred on you; and  also  to  touch  your  heart,  that  you  may feel your  obligation  of  acknowledging  it  by  every means in  your  power.

Second Point. — Cast  yourself  in  spirit  at  the  feet  of your  Creator,  and  present  to  him  the  sacrifice  of thanksgiving  which  he  deserves,  viz.,  a voluntary, unreserved oblation  of  your  whole  being. Can that be too  much  for  him  who  has  created  you  to  his image and  likeness,  and  redeemed  you  with  his precious blood? or rather,  what  can  be  enough  for him who  has  loved  you  so  far  as  to  give  you  himself? If you  would  really  and  entirely  belong  to  God,  you should make  a two-fold  sacrifice — a sacrifice  of  your