Monthly Archives: October 2012

The First Chapter: The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK FOUR: AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION
The First Chapter: The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ

The Disciple

THESE are all Your words, O Christ, eternal Truth, though they were not all spoken at one time nor written together in one place. And because they are Yours and true, I must accept them all with faith and gratitude. They are Yours and You have spoken them; they are mine also because You have spoken them for my salvation. Gladly I accept them from Your lips that they may be the more deeply impressed in my heart.

Words of such tenderness, so full of sweetness and love, encourage me; but my sins frighten me and an unclean conscience thunders at me when approaching such great mysteries as these. The sweetness of Your words invites me, but the multitude of my vices oppresses me. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER I.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK FOUR: AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION
CHAPTER I.: The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ

All that the Old Law presented; all of it that was grand, most imposing, and most holy, was but a slight shadow of the mysteries of the Man-God. David celebrates with pomp the return of the Ark of the covenant to Jerusalem; but that Ark was empty, it did not contain in it the Saviour of the human race. Solomon builds a magnificent temple; he dedicates it solemnly in presence of the people, bowed down in awe–countless victims are immolated; but those victims, what are they? Vile animals, the blood of which cannot satisfy the Divine Justice. The world was waiting in expectation of the salvation that had been announced to it, when behold, at the moment predicted, were accomplished the promises perceived and saluted from afar by the Patriarchs, during their pilgrimage on the earth. The desired of all nations (Aggeus, 2:8), the Lord, the Angel of the Testament (Malachi 3:1Open Link in New Window), the Lord, the just one (Jeremiah x13:6), shall come to his temple (Malachi 3:1Open Link in New Window), and the true sacrifice of propitiation replaces for ever the figurative sacrifices. In the depths of the tabernacle, under the veil of the sanctuary, reposes the ever-living Host; the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. He says to us: I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall not hunger; and he that believeth in me shall never thirst. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life; and 1 will raise him up in the last day (John. 6:35, 55).

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  1. Right Rev. R. Challoner, D.D., V.A., Imitation of Christ, Dublin: McGlashan and Gill, 1873 ↩

The Fifty-Ninth Chapter: All Hope and Trust Are to Be Fixed In God Alone

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Fifty-Ninth Chapter: All Hope and Trust Are to Be Fixed In God Alone

The Disciple

WHAT, Lord, is the trust which I have in this life, or what is my greatest comfort among all the things that appear under heaven? Is it not You, O Lord, my God, Whose mercies are without number? Where have I ever fared well but for You? Or how could things go badly when You were present? I had rather be poor for Your sake than rich without You. I prefer rather to wander on the earth with You than to possess heaven without You. Where You are there is heaven, and where You are not are death and hell. You are my desire and therefore I must cry after You and sigh and pray. In none can I fully trust to help me in my necessities, but in You alone, my God. You are my hope. You are my confidence. You are my consoler, most faithful in every need.

All seek their own interests. You, however, place my salvation and my profit first, and turn all things to my good. Even though exposing me to various temptations and hardships, You Who are accustomed to prove Your loved ones in a thousand ways, order all this for my good. You ought not to be loved or praised less in this trial than if You had filled me with heavenly consolations. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER LIX.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER LIX.: All Hope and Trust Are to Be Fixed In God Alone

When interior or exterior trials, troubles, or contradictions afflict us, let us have recourse to God, who can alone aid us and remedy our distresses; let us with confidence pray to Him to assist us, to strengthen us, to comfort us. No temptation, no trial, no tribulation can come on us without his permission; nor will he permit us to be tried beyond our strength. Whatever trials He may be pleased to allot to us in this life, are given to us for our sanctification; we should therefore thank him for them, cheerfully undergo them, raise our hearts and eyes to Him, and rely confidently on the promise of Him who has said, Come to me all you that are heavy burdened, and I will refresh you.

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  1. Right Rev. R. Challoner, D.D., V.A., Imitation of Christ, Dublin: McGlashan and Gill, 1873 ↩

New book: IMITATE CHRIST, by Tom Truex

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(Davie, Florida)

Before the iPad; before the Internet; before the computer; before the typewriter; before the fountain pen; before the printing press; in about the year 1418 AD, a humble monk named Thomas à Kempis wrote a book called, The Imitation of Christ. In the 600 years since then, that book has been the second most widely read religious book in the world – second only to the Bible.

Tom Truex1 and his Saturday morning Bible study group are finishing a one year study of Thomas à Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ. All of the study notes, including the complete text of The Imitation of Christ, are arranged in a study guide and daily devotional, and renamed, Imitate Christ. It is now available, in print and ebook version. Follow the link at ImitateChrist.ORG.

Imitate Christ is a daily devotional, including the complete text of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, and many selections drawn from his lessor known writings, such as Instructions for Religious; Moments with the Consoling Christ; Prayers and Meditations; and “The Little Kempis.”

Special features ONLY in this edition:

  • Complete text of Bible references.
  • Commentary–helps in personal devotion and group study.
  • Comprehensive text and heavily annotated—578 pages and over 1150 references and footnotes
  • Expanded index–useful in selecting a devotion for a particular topic or Bible verse
  • Weekly summaries and reviews
  • Large, easy to read print
  • FREE additional resources and information at ImitateChrist.ORG
If you’ve never heard of or read The Imitation of Christ, don’t feel bad. The book has fallen out of favor in recent years because the values it promotes are on the decline as well: honor, humility, sacrifice, and service to others (to name just a few).
  1. See more about the author at his other blOgs, K_Line Christian Online, Davie.ORG; or on Facebook ↩

The Fifty-Eighth Chapter: High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of God Are Not to Be Scrutinized

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Fifty-Eighth Chapter: High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of God Are Not to Be Scrutinized

The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, beware of discussing high matters and God’s hidden judgments–why this person is so forsaken and why that one is favored with so great a grace, or why one man is so afflicted and another so highly exalted. Such things are beyond all human understanding and no reason or disputation can fathom the judgments of God.

When the enemy puts such suggestions in your mind, therefore, or when some curious persons raise questions about them, answer with the prophet: “Thou art just, O Lord, and righteous are Thy judgments”; [42] and this: “The judgments of the Lord are true and wholly righteous.” [43] My judgments are to be feared, not discussed, because they are incomprehensible to the understanding of men. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER LVril.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER LVril.: High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of God Are Not to Be Scrutinized

It is a great misfortune that men have so great a yearning to trouble themselves with thousands of vain questions, whilst they scarcely give a thought to the most important truths. They wish to know all things, with the exception of the one indispensable thing. Their pride is satisfied in speculations almost always dangerous, or at least useless towards their salvation. In endeavouring to penetrate impenetrable mysteries, their thoughts wander astray, and find only error at the very moment when they think that they are drawing from God his secrets. Such are the fruits of the labours with which they consume themselves under the sun.

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  1. Right Rev. R. Challoner, D.D., V.A., Imitation of Christ, Dublin: McGlashan and Gill, 1873 ↩

The Fifty-Seventh Chapter: A Man Should Not Be Too Downcast When He Falls Into Defects

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Fifty-Seventh Chapter: A Man Should Not Be Too Downcast When He Falls Into Defects

The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, patience and humility in adversity are more pleasing to Me than much consolation and devotion when things are going well.

Why are you saddened by some little thing said against you? Even if it had been more you ought not to have been affected. But now let it pass. It is not the first, nor is it anything new, and if you live long it will not be the last. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER LVI1.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER LVI1.: A Man Should Not Be Too Downcast When He Falls Into Defects

It is not enough to be patient with others; it is necessary to be so also with yourself. That indescribable feeling of bitterness and of violence, which we feel in ourselves when we have committed some fault, comes rather from humbled pride than from repentance according to God. The humble man, who knows his weakness, is not astonished when he falls; he weeps on account of his fall, implores pardon for it, and lifts up again, calm, ready to struggle with renewed courage. To fall is undoubtedly an evil, but to trouble one’s self too much on account of it, is a still greater evil. The trouble has its source either in a kind of proud annoyance at finding one’s self so weak, or in a want of confidence in Him who healeth all our diseases (Psalms 102:3Open Link in New Window). Hatch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation (Matthew 26:41Open Link in New Window); and if, temptation coming, it happens that you yield, watch and pray still more; but never lose peace, for our God is the God of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33Open Link in New Window).

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  1. Right Rev. R. Challoner, D.D., V.A., Imitation of Christ, Dublin: McGlashan and Gill, 1873 ↩

The Fifty-Sixth Chapter: We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Fifty-Sixth Chapter: We Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate Christ Through Bearing the Cross

The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, the more you depart from yourself, the more you will be able to enter into Me. As the giving up of exterior things brings interior peace, so the forsaking of self unites you to God. I will have you learn perfect surrender to My will, without contradiction or complaint.

Follow Me. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without the Way, there is no going. Without the Truth, there is no knowing. Without the Life, there is no living. I am the Way which you must follow, the Truth which you must believe, the Life for which you must hope. I am the inviolable Way, the infallible Truth, the unending Life. I am the Way that is straight, the supreme Truth, the Life that is true, the blessed, the uncreated Life. If you abide in My Way you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free, and you shall attain life everlasting. Continue reading →