Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/450

 Sacrament hides  his  majesty  from  our  eyes,  we  have no reason  to  be  afraid,  but  to  be  animated  all  the more with  confidence  and  love. It is  only  to  manifest his love  more  clearly,  and  to  inspire  us  with  greater confidence, says  a holy  writer,  that  he  hides  himself under the  semblance  of  bread,  and  stations  himself on the  altar. For who,  indeed,  would  ever  dare  to approach  with  confidence,  and  make  known  all  his desires and  affections,  if  this  King  of  Heaven  were to appear  on  the  altar  with  full  splendour  and  glory?

H! my Jesus,  what  an  invention  of  love  is  this Blessed Sacrament! Thou hidest  thyself  under the appearance  of  bread  in  order  to  gain  our  love, and so  that  every  one  who  seeks  for  thee  may  find thee even  here  on  earth. It is  not  without  great reason that  the  Prophet  calls  on  us  to  proclaim  to the  whole  world  the  inventions  of  that  love  which our God  has  for  us. (Isa. xii.  4). O Heart of  Jesus, full of  love,  and  worthy  to  possess  the  hearts  of  all creatures! Heart, always  full  of  the  flames  of  purest love! O burning fire  that  thou  art,  consume  me wholly,  and  give  me  a new  life  of  love  and  of  grace! Unite me  to  thyself  in  such  a way  that  I may  never separate from  thee  again. Heart of  Jesus,  open refuge for  souls,  receive  me. Heart of  Jesus,  so afflicted  on  the  cross  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  give me a true  sorrow  for  my  sins. I know that  in  this divine Sacrament  thou  preservest  the  same  sentiments of  love  which  thou  didst  feel  in  dying  for  me on  Calvary,  and  therefore  thou  dost  ardently  wish me to  be  united  to  thee. Can I then  any  longer refuse to  yield  myself  up  entirely  to  thy  love,  to  thy desire? All! my beloved  Jesus,  by  thy  own  merits I entreat thee,  wound  my  soul  with  thy  love,  and