236  LECTURES  FOR  BOYS

Fancy,  then,  what  must  have  been  the  holy  impatience  of
our  Lady  for  the  coming  of  Him  for  Whom  her  soul  longed,
with  all  the  intense  burning  love  of  her  spotless  heart !
When  you  reflect  upon  this,  let  it  stir  up  in  your  heart  a
little  of  that  glowing  fire  of  love,  which  ought  to  burn  in  the
heart  of  every  boy  who  is  preparing  to  approach  the  Holy
Sacrament.  This  is  the  lesson  which  the  Church  tries  to
impress  upon  you,  by  establishing  a  special  festival  in
honour  of  this  holy  longing.
Try,  therefore,  to  learn  it  well.  When  you  are  about  to
partake  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Jesus  Christ — when  you
are  to  have  the  happiness  of  receiving  into  your  heart
the  very  same  Jesus  for  Whom  our  Lady  sighed  and
prayed,  do  not  be  so  cold  !  Do  not  be  so  careless,  so
indifferent  !  Remember  the  weary  centuries  through  which
priests,  and  sages,  kings  and  peoples,  wept  and  watched,
and  prayed  to  see  the  day  which  you  see,  and  did  not
see  it,  and  to  enjoy  the  privileges  which  you  hold  so
cheap,  and  did  not  enjoy  them.  Apply  yourself  vigorously
to  prayer.  Beg  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  come  into  your  soul,
and  to  set  it  on  fire  with  His  love,  that  you  may  begin  to
thirst  after  the  presence  of  Jesus,  as  vehemently  as  the  hart
panteth  after  the  cool  refreshing  water-brooks.
III.  But  do  not  confine  this  longing  of  your  heart,  to
the  days  when  you  have  the  happiness  of  communicating.
