Monthly Archives: March 2013

The Fifth Chapter: Ourselves

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
The Fifth Chapter: Ourselves

WE MUST not rely too much upon ourselves, for grace and understanding are often lacking in us. We have but little inborn light, and this we quickly lose through negligence. Often we are not aware that we are so blind in heart. Meanwhile we do wrong, and then do worse in excusing it. At times we are moved by passion, and we think it zeal. We take others to task for small mistakes, and overlook greater ones in ourselves. We are quick enough to feel and brood over the things we suffer from others, but we think nothing of how much others suffer from us. If a man would weigh his own deeds fully and rightly, he would find little cause to pass severe judgment on others.

The interior man puts the care of himself before all other concerns, and he who attends to himself carefully does not find it hard to hold his tongue about others. You will never be devout of heart unless you are thus silent about the affairs of others and pay particular attention to yourself. If you attend wholly to God and yourself, you will be little disturbed by what you see about you.

Where are your thoughts when they are not upon yourself? And after attending to various things, what have you gained if you have neglected self? If you wish to have true peace of mind and unity of purpose, you must cast all else aside and keep only yourself before your eyes. Continue reading →

Week 13 : Imitate Christ, Weekly Study Guide

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Week 13 Discussion Notes:1

  1. In Chapter 3, Kempis wrote, “A peaceful man does more good than a learned man.” Do you agree that peace is more important than knowledge? (Day 86)
  2. Do you agree that “simplicity leads to God?” Is modern life necessarily complex? (Day 87)
  3. What is a “pure heart” that Kempis refers to in Chapter 4, and how do you get one? (Day 87)
  4. In Chapter 5, Kempis cautions us to “not rely too much upon ourselves.” Isn’t self reliance what made America great–and the very foundation of capitalism? (Day 91)

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 2 , Chapter 3 : Goodness and Peace in Man (March 27, 2013)
  2. Book 2 , Chapter 4 : Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose (March 29, 2013)
  3. Book 2 , Chapter 5 : Ourselves (March 31, 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 V.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
CHAPTER V.: Ourselves

If you knew everything good and evil in each man, not excepting a single one, what would it avail you if you did not know yourself? On the last day you shall not be questioned respecting the consciences of others. Lay aside therefore a solicitude, the prime mover of which is almost always pride and malignity, and occupy yourself with a task more agreeable to God and more useful to yourself. The grand, true knowledge is to know one’s self; that should be our study at all times. Then we learn to despise ourselves, to groan over the wounds of our hearts, over the uncurbed self-love which holds us under its dominion; over the secret and sinful desires which torture us; and we cry out with the Apostle: Who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? (Romans 7:24Open Link in New Window.) Happy, happy deliverance! But what shall we find afterwards, if we have been faithful? God alone; and in Him all things, all consolation, all good. O my soul, since it is thus, begin from this moment to disengage thyself from the weight that crushes thee down, from the earth and from creatures, in order to attach thyself to God alone.

PRAVER.

My God who alone art eternal, alone art immense, Thou alone canst fill the vast extent which Thou hast given to my heart; to Thee alone I should entirely adhere: wherefore I stand in need of thy grace and instructions; I cast myself down at thy feet, to solicit them; and supplicate thy holy spirit to form in me those ineffable sighs and ardent PRAYER.s which Thou always hearest. May I know Thee, O Lord, and may I know myself; that, wholly employed in what interests my salvation, I may neglect and despise all the rest. Such is the end of all my vows and desires. Amen.

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

The Fourth Chapter: Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
The Fourth Chapter: Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose

A MAN is raised up from the earth by two wings–simplicity and purity. There must be simplicity in his intention and purity in his desires. Simplicity leads to God, purity embraces and enjoys Him.

If your heart is free from ill-ordered affection, no good deed will be difficult for you. If you aim at and seek after nothing but the pleasure of God and the welfare of your neighbor, you will enjoy freedom within.

If your heart were right, then every created thing would be a mirror of life for you and a book of holy teaching, for there is no creature so small and worthless that it does not show forth the goodness of God. If inwardly you were good and pure, you would see all things clearly and understand them rightly, for a pure heart penetrates to heaven and hell, and as a man is within, so he judges what is without. If there be joy in the world, the pure of heart certainly possess it; and if there be anguish and affliction anywhere, an evil conscience knows it too well. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER IV.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
CHAPTER IV.: Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose

When Jesus Christ wished to propose a model to his disciples, did He choose it from amidst men distinguished by their knowledge or by the superiority of their intellect? No: He called to Him a little child, set him in the midst of them, and said; Amen, I say to you, unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew xvii1:2, 3). Now, what do we sec in infancy? Simplicity and purity. It believes, it loves, it acts without any thought within itself, but by a pure impulse of the heart; and this is what pleases God.

Continue reading →

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

The Third Chapter: Goodness and Peace in Man

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
The Third Chapter: Goodness and Peace in Man

FIRST keep peace with yourself; then you will be able to bring peace to others. A peaceful man does more good than a learned man. Whereas a passionate man turns even good to evil and is quick to believe evil, the peaceful man, being good himself, turns all things to good.

The man who is at perfect ease is never suspicious, but the disturbed and discontented spirit is upset by many a suspicion. He neither rests himself nor permits others to do so. He often says what ought not to be said and leaves undone what ought to be done. He is concerned with the duties of others but neglects his own.

Direct your zeal, therefore, first upon yourself; then you may with justice exercise it upon those about you. You are well versed in coloring your own actions with excuses which you will not accept from others, though it would be more just to accuse yourself and excuse your brother. If you wish men to bear with you, you must bear with them. Behold, how far you are from true charity and humility which does not know how to be angry with anyone, or to be indignant save only against self! Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER III.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
CHAPTER III.: Goodness and Peace in Man

ASPIRATION.

Grant, O Lord, that, resigning myself in all things to thy blessed will, I may find peace and happiness in being, doing, and suffering whatever Thou shalt appoint. Amen.

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

The Second Chapter: Humility

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
The Second Chapter: Humility

BE NOT troubled about those who are with you or against you, but take care that God be with you in everything you do. Keep your conscience clear and God will protect you, for the malice of man cannot harm one whom God wishes to help. If you know how to suffer in silence, you will undoubtedly experience God’s help. He knows when and how to deliver you; therefore, place yourself in His hands, for it is a divine prerogative to help men and free them from all distress.

It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility. When a man humbles himself because of his faults, he easily placates those about him and readily appeases those who are angry with him.

It is the humble man whom God protects and liberates; it is the humble whom He loves and consoles. To the humble He turns and upon them bestows great grace, that after their humiliation He may raise them up to glory. He reveals His secrets to the humble, and with kind invitation bids them come to Him. Thus, the humble man enjoys peace in the midst of many vexations, because his trust is in God, not in the world. Hence, you must not think that you have made any progress until you look upon yourself as inferior to all others. Continue reading →

Week 12 : Imitate Christ, Weekly Study Guide

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Week 12 Discussion Notes:1

  1. Does your inner spiritual life match the outward impression you project to others? (Day 77)
  2. In Chapter 1 of Book I, Kempis wrote, “Do not place much confidence in weak and mortal man, helpful and friendly though he be; and do not grieve too much if he sometimes opposes and contradicts you. Those who are with us today may be against us tomorrow, and vice versa, for men change with the wind.” Based on your own experiences, is this appraisal of other human beings accurate? Or, too harsh? (Day 78)
  3. In Chapter 2 of Book I, Kempis wrote, “It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them, for it gives us greater humility.” Does it seem good when others criticize your faults? (Day 81)
  4. John Selden’s view is that a little pride is allowed: “Pride may be allowed to this or that degree, else a Man cannot keep up his Dignity. In Gluttony there must be Eating, in Drunkenness there must be drinking: ’tis not the eating, nor ’tis not the drinking that is to be blamed, but the Excess. So in Pride.” Do you agree that only “excess” in pride is bad? (Day 83)

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 2 , Chapter 1 : Meditation (March 19, 2013)
  2. Book 2 , Chapter 2 : Humility (March 22, 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 II.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK TWO: THE INTERIOR LIFE
CHAPTER II.: Humility

Of what consequence to you are the discourses and the thoughts of men! It is not they who are to judge you. If they wrongfully accuse you, He who sees into the depths of all consciences has already justified you. If they reproach you with real faults, should you not be happy to be warned of them, happy to suffer a salutary humiliation? That which troubles you is the pride which cannot bear being called to task. The humble man is not irritated, is not excited, even when passion unjustly condemns him. Full of the knowledge of his own misery, no one can ever humble him more than he already humbles himself in his heart. Do you wish that nothing should change the calm of your soul? Then abandon yourself to God in all things; and in troubles, contradictions and annoyances, say with Jesus Christ: Yes, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight (Luke, 10:21).

Continue reading →

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