Monthly Archives: January 2013

The Eleventh Chapter: Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
The Eleventh Chapter: Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection

WE SHOULD enjoy much peace if we did not concern ourselves with what others say and do, for these are no concern of ours. How can a man who meddles in affairs not his own, who seeks strange distractions, and who is little or seldom inwardly recollected, live long in peace?

Blessed are the simple of heart for they shall enjoy peace in abundance.

Why were some of the saints so perfect and so given to contemplation? Because they tried to mortify entirely in themselves all earthly desires, and thus they were able to attach themselves to God with all their heart and freely to concentrate their innermost thoughts. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER XI.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
CHAPTER XI.: Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives it (John 14:27Open Link in New Window). What kindly sweetness, what touching love are in these words of Jesus Christ, and at the same time what deep instruction! All men desire peace, but there are two kinds of peace, the peace of Jesus Christ, and the peace of the world. The world says to the ambitious man: the desire for greatness troubles thee and agitates thee– mount, raise thyself. It says to the miser: covetousness devours thee, amass, amass riches without ever resting. It says to the worldling tortured by his desires: inebriate thyself with every pleasure. It says in short to each passion: enjoy thyself and thou shalt have peace. Deceptive promise! cares, sadness, inquietude, disgust, remorse; these constitute the peace of the world. Jesus says: triumph over yourself, fight against your desires, conquer your covetousness, bridle your passions: and the soul, obedient to his commands, reposes in an ineffable calm. The pains of life–sufferings, injustices, persecutions, do not take away anything from His peace; and that heavenly peace, which surpasseth all understanding (Philippians 4:7Open Link in New Window), accompanies him on his last journey and follows him even to heaven where his happiness is consummated.

Continue reading →

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

The Tenth Chapter: Avoiding Idle Talk

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
The Tenth Chapter: Avoiding Idle Talk

SHUN the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity.

Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not associated with men. Why, indeed, do we converse and gossip among ourselves when we so seldom part without a troubled conscience? We do so because we seek comfort from one another’s conversation and wish to ease the mind wearied by diverse thoughts. Hence, we talk and think quite fondly of things we like very much or of things we dislike intensely. But, sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose; for this external pleasure effectively bars inward and divine consolation.

Therefore we must watch and pray lest time pass idly. Continue reading →

Week 4 : Imitate Christ, Weekly Study Guide

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Week 4 Discussion Notes:1

  1. Kempis cautions us about the nature of the friendships we make. Are we correct in concluding that it is neither possible nor desirable to be everyone’s best friend? (Days 22 and 23; Book 1, Chapter 8)
  2. What did Kempis mean when he wrote, “It a very great thing to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one’s own master, for it is much safer to be subject than it is to command?” (Day 25; Book 1, Chapter 9)
  3. Kempis correctly advises to avoid gossip. How do we distinguish between gossip, polite conversation and edifying discussion? (Day 26; Book 1, Chapter 10)
  4. God created humans to live in a society. When and why is solitude desirable? (Day 27)

These study notes are for a year long study of The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis. The text for this Bible Study is Imitate Christ, by T. Alan Truex. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

The discussion for this week will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.2

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

  1. Book 1 , Chapter 8 : Shunning Over-Familiarity (January 23, 2013)
  2. Book 1 , Chapter 9 : Obedience and Subjection (January 25, 2013)
  3. Book 1 , Chapter 10 : Avoiding Idle Talk (January 26, 2013)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

  1. Challoner’s Reflections3 on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

Footnotes:

  1. References to days are from the Imitate Christ Study Guide ↩
  2. The dates listed are the dates the chapters were posted online, which also corresponds to the suggested reading plan in the study guide. ↩
  3. Right Rev. R. Challoner, D.D., V.A., Imitation of Christ, Dublin: McGlashan and Gill, 1873 ↩

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER X.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
CHAPTER X.: Avoiding Idle Talk

It is written that every idle word that men shall speak they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36Open Link in New Window). Let us not be astonished at such severity: everything is serious in human life, every moment of which may have such formidable consequences. That time which you waste in frivolous talk was given to you in order to gain heaven. Compare the end for which you received it with the use which you make of it; and nevertheless how can you know with certainty that even one hour more will be granted to you?

Continue reading →

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

The Ninth Chapter: Obedience and Subjection

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
The Ninth Chapter: Obedience and Subjection

IT IS a very great thing to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one’s own master, for it is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of God.

Go where you may, you will find no rest except in humble obedience to the rule of authority. Dreams of happiness expected from change and different places have deceived many.

Everyone, it is true, wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with him. But if God be among us, we must at times give up our opinions for the blessings of peace. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER IX.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
CHAPTER IX.: Obedience and Subjection

Christ humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8Open Link in New Window). Who after that will refuse to obey? There is no order in the world, no life except through obedience: it is the bond that unites men to each other and to their Creator; the foundation of peace and the principle of universal harmony. The family, the city the Church, in which the great society of intelligence exists only by it; and the highest perfection is, for creatures, but more perfect obedience; it alone secures us against error and sin. What is error? The thought of a fallible mind, which recognises no master and is only obedient to itself. What is sin? The act of a corrupted will, which acknowledges no master and is obedient to itself alone. But whom should we obey? Is it a man like ourselves? No; man has no legitimate empire over man; his power is but force, and when he commands in his own name he insolently usurps a right which in no way belongs to him. God is the only monarch, and all legitimate authority is an offshoot, a participation, of his eternal and infinite power. Thus, as the Apostle teaches, there is no power but from God (Romans 13:1Open Link in New Window), and it is subjected to a divine rule, as well in the temporal order as in the religious order; so that in obeying a pontiff, a prince, a father, anyone in short who is really God’s minister to thee for good (Romans 13:4Open Link in New Window), it is God only that you obey. Happy is he who understands this heavenly doctrine; delivered from the servitude of error and of the passions, from the servitude of man, he enjoys the liberty of the glory of the children of God (Romans 8:21Open 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 Eighth Chapter: Shunning Over-Familiarity

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
The Eighth Chapter: Shunning Over-Familiarity

DO NOT open your heart to every man, but discuss your affairs with one who is wise and who fears God. Do not keep company with young people and strangers. Do not fawn upon the rich, and do not be fond of mingling with the great. Associate with the humble and the simple, with the devout and virtuous, and with them speak of edifying things. Be not intimate with any woman, but generally commend all good women to God. Seek only the intimacy of God and of His angels, and avoid the notice of men.

We ought to have charity for all men but familiarity with all is not expedient. Sometimes it happens that a person enjoys a good reputation among those who do not know him, but at the same time is held in slight regard by those who do. Frequently we think we are pleasing others by our presence and we begin rather to displease them by the faults they find in us.

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER VIII.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
CHAPTER VIII.: Shunning Over-Familiarity

We should only lend ourselves to men: to God alone should we give ourselves. Too close an intercourse with the creature divides the soul and weakens it; it should live for higher things. Our conversation is m heaven, says the Apostle. (Philippians 3:20Open Link in New Window.)

Continue reading →

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

The Seventh Chapter: Avoiding False Hope and Pride

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK ONE: THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
The Seventh Chapter: Avoiding False Hope and Pride

VAIN is the man who puts his trust in men, in created things.

Do not be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ and to seem poor in this world. Do not be self-sufficient but place your trust in God. Do what lies in your power and God will aid your good will. Put no trust in your own learning nor in the cunning of any man, but rather in the grace of God Who helps the humble and humbles the proud.

If you have wealth, do not glory in it, nor in friends because they are powerful, but in God Who gives all things and Who desires above all to give Himself. Do not boast of personal stature or of physical beauty, qualities which are marred and destroyed by a little sickness. Do not take pride in your talent or ability, lest you displease God to Whom belongs all the natural gifts that you have. Continue reading →