An Act of Humility Before Communion
An act of humility before receiving Christ in Holy Communion.
Historical edition. Historical claims and instructions are preserved as historical context.
Reflect on these words: "And he gave it to his disciples, and said, Take ye, and eat," &c. It must have been a great cause of confusion to the apostles, when they beheld their Saviour distribute to them his sacred body, not merely that they might adore it, or that they might preserve it as an inestimable relic, but that they might make it their food. Be thou also penetrated with the most profound humility.
What am I, O God of majesty and glory, or who am I, that thou shouldst deign even to look on me? Whence am I honoured with so unspeakable a favour, as that my Lord and my God should come and visit in person such a miserable and vile worm of the earth? How dare a being more contemptible than nothing, approach so holy a God, eat the bread of angels, and feed on thy divine flesh! Ah, Lord! it is too much; I am not worthy of so great a favour; I shall never, no never, deserve it.
O King of heaven and earth! adorable Sovereign! the Author and Preserver of the universe! behold, I annihilate myself before thee, protesting that I would humble myself as much for thy glory, as thou dost here for my salvation. I acknowledge, with the most profound respect, the infinite, grandeur of thy divine Majesty and my own miserable baseness. The contemplation of one and the other fills me with inexpressible confusion. Can I possibly say more, my dear Saviour, than to confess, with the utmost humility, in the words of the centurion: "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be saved."