Chapter 19: How God is pleased to condescend to His creatures ; and what glory God derives thence from the blessed

I GIVE thanks to Thy loving mercy and to Thy merciful love, most loving Lord, for the revelation by which Thy goodness satisfied my weak and wavering soul when I so ardently desired to be released from the chains of the flesh : not that I might suffer less, but that I might release Thy goodness from the debt which Thy exceeding love has under taken for my salvation ; although Thy Divine omnipotence and eternal wisdom were not obliged to grant me this favour, — but Thou didst bestow it on my unworthiness and ingratitude of Thy superabounding liberality.

When, therefore, I desired to be dissolved, Thou, my God, who art the honour and glory of heaven, didst appear to me, descending from the royal throne of Thy majesty, and approaching to sinners by a most obliging and favour able condescension ; and then certain streams of precious liquor seemed to flow through heaven, before which all the saints prostrated themselves in thanksgiving ; and having satisfied their thirst with joy in this torrent of delights, broke forth in canticles of praise for all Thy mercy towards sinners. Whilst these things happened I heard these words : " Consider how agreeable this concert of praise is, not only to My ears, but even to My most loving Heart ; and beware for the future how you desire so importunately to be sepa rated from the body, merely for the sake of being delivered from the flesh, in which I pour forth so freely the gifts of My grace; for the more unworthy they are to whom I condescend, the more I merit to be glorified for it by all creatures."

As thou didst give this consolation at the moment when I approached Thy life-giving Sacrament, as soon as I had recollected myself and formed my intention, as I was bound to do, Thou didst make known to me further in what manner, and with what intention, each one should approach to unite themselves to Thy sacred Body and Blood ; so that, even if this Sacrament served for our con- demnation, were it possible, the love of Thy love and of Thy glory would cause us to think nothing of this, provided that thereby Thy mercy shone forth still more in not refus ing to give Thyself to those who are so utterly unworthy. Then I inquired concerning those who, from a consciousness of their unworthiness, abstain from Communion, fearing to profane by a presumptuous irreverence the sanctity of this Sacrament ; and I received this blessed answer from Thee : " He who communicates from a pure desire of My glory, as I have said, can never communicate with irrever ence." For which may eternal praise and glory be given to Thee for endless ages !