Chapter 66: That frequent Communion is agreeable to God

A CERTAIN person, moved by a zeal for justice, sometimes exclaimed against those whom she thought approached tho Holy Communion with too little preparation and fervour, and rendered them so fearful, that they dared not com municate. On this account, as Gertrude prayed for this person, and inquired how our Lord received her zeal, He replied : " Since I find My delight in dwelling with the children of men, and have left them this Sacrament by an excess of love, for a remembrance of Me, that by this they may remember Me frequently j and, finally, have obliged Myself to remain in this mystery until the con summation of ages, — all who, by their words or persuasions, drive away those who are not in mortal sin, and thus bin der and interrupt the delight which I find in them, act like a severe master, who forbids the children of the king to speak to those of their own age who may be poor or be- neath them in rank, because he considers it more correct that his pupils should receive the honour due to their dig nity than to permit them this enjoyment." " But, Lord," inquired the Saint, " if this person formed a firm resolu tion not to commit this fault any more, wouldst Thou not pardon her for the past I'1 "I would not only pardon her," our Lord replied ; " but her action would be as agreeable to Me as it would be to the king's son if his master allowed him to play with those children from whom he had pre viously driven him away with such severity."