LIFE IN CHRIST: chap. 4, part 3
Lent with Fr Harton
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CHAPTER 4: THE BREAD OF LIFE (part 3)
But the analogy must be pressed a stage further. We may partake of the most wholesome and nourishing meal, but if our digestion is impaired we shall not receive the benefit of it; likewise if our spiritual digestion is sick we shall indeed partake of Christ, but we shall not be transformed into Him. Our Lord does not ask of us great virtue when we come to receive Him, for He comes to bring forth His virtues in us; but He does require the two first requisites of spiritual health: simple faith and sincere penitence. By faith we place ourselves simply and wholly in His hands for Him to do in us what He will, and by penitence we disengage ourselves from our sinful tendencies and seek His pardon for sin done. If these are present the divine food cannot fail of its effect.
