2. Besides this, Almighty God being so liberal and compassionate as He is, does not command that we should live void of some pleasures; [1] and therefore those who abstain from bodily food He refreshes with the food of the soul, and for sensual consolations He gives them spiritual. So that they lose no consolation, but rather increase it, changing it from the flesh to the spirit. To these He communicates celestial illuminations, as He did to Daniel — gives them notable victories, as He did to His three companions against Nabuchodonosor — and exalts them to very high contemplation, as He did Moses and Elias, giving them part in His glorious transfiguration, [2] in reward of their fasting and mortification.
3. Finally, Almighty God rewards them in heaven with a spiritual fulness, setting them with Christ at His table, that they may eat and drink in His kingdom of that food which God Himself eats. Therefore, O my soul, if thou desirest to attain to great sanctity upon earth, and to obtain great rewards in heaven, begin with temperance and fasting, in reward of which God is said to " repress vices, exalt the spirit, grant virtues, and crown with rewards." [3]
Colloquy. — O sweet Jesus, seeing all who are on Thy side ought to "have crucified the flesh with its vices and concupiscences," [4] grant me that I may mortify mine as Thou didst mortify Thine! By that thirst which Thou sufferedst on the cross, and by the gall and vinegar which they gave Thee to drink, grant me, I beseech Thee, a temperance so perfect that in eating and drinking I may satisfy my necessity, and not serve my delight; and a fasting so strict that, like the Ninevites, [5] I may appease Thy wrath, satisfy for my sins, terrify the devils, give joy to the angels, and be made partaker of Thy gifts, world without end. Amen.
