Monthly Archives: May 2013

The Twelfth Chapter: Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Concupiscence

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Twelfth Chapter: Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Concupiscence

The Disciple

PATIENCE, O Lord God, is very necessary for me, I see, because there are many adversities in this life. No matter what plans I make for my own peace, my life cannot be free from struggle and sorrow.

The Voice of Christ Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER XII.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER XII.: Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Concupiscence

All flesh has sinned, all flesh must suffer: it is the present law of humanity; the law of justice, for God would not be God if disorder remained unpunished; the law of love, for suffering, accepted and united to the sufferings of the Saviour, heals the soul and establishes it again in its primitive state of innocence. Of what then do you complain when this divine law is exercised in your case? Is it because the divine mercy desires to regenerate you? Is it for being made like to Jesus Christ, who wished, nay, who had to suffer, in order to redeem you? His was the great expiation; but, in order that it may be applied to us, it is necessary that we should render ourselves worthy, by joining ours to it The mystery of salvation is consummated in each one of us on the cross; and the cross is the sole happiness of the earth, for there is no other but perfect submission to order, from which calm of conscience and peace of heart spring. The world dazzles you by its apparent joys; but do you imagine that its votaries, even its most favoured ones, have nothing to suffer? Tormented by their mad desires, which increase by being indulged, did you ever see a single one of them satisfied? New desires torment them unceasingly. And have they not besides, as well as others, even more than others, to bear the evils of life; its cares, its troubles, its inquietudes, and the innumerable host of maladies which are the children of vice and of the secret troubles of the soul?

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

Week 21 : Imitate Christ, Weekly Study Guide

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Week 21 Discussion Notes:1

  1. Section 67 of THE LITTLE KEMPIS contains this advice, “You can’t love God perfectly if you don’t forsake the comforts the world offers to you, for the sake of God.” But don’t many of us devote our lives to seeking the comforts this world offers? (Day 141)
  2. Kempis expressed in Chapter 10 that he does not consider his renunciation of worldly comforts to be a burden or sacrifice. Rather, in referring to God, he writes, “It is a great honor, a great glory to serve You and to despise all things for [God’s] sake.” Does Kempis’ point of view here have any validity outside a monastery? (Day 142)
  3. Kempis tells us in Section 211 of THE LITTLE KEMPIS, “Foolish and thoughtless people seek temporary pleasures. They give these pleasures great importance, although they cannot satisfy the soul, nor grant tranquility.” Is it true that temporary pleasure can’t bring tranquility (peace)? (Day 144)
  4. In MOMENTS WITH THE CONSOLING CHRIST, Kempis wrote, “BEHOLD, eating, drinking, clothing, and other necessaries pertaining to the support of the body, are burdensome to a fervent spirit. GRANT that I may use such things with moderation, and not be entangled with any inordinate affection.” As usual, we could question whether, Kempis is too extreme with his assertion. But, in general, popular culture and modern advertising urge us toward excess. Do you find yourself wanting more of what the world claims we need?

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 3 , Chapter 10 : To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet (May 22, 2013)
  2. Book 3 , Chapter 11 : The Longings of our Hearts Must Be Examined And Moderated (May 25, 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 XI.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER XI.: The Longings of our Hearts Must Be Examined And Moderated

We have to fight a severe battle: against our minds which lead us astray, seduced by false lights and by a lamentable curiosity; against our desires which trouble us; against our senses, the desires of ^which stain the soul and bend it down to the earth. Sad condition of fallen man! But God has not abandoned him; he can conquer if he wishes to do so. Faith represses the sickly inquietude of the mind, and fIXes it in truth. An entire submission to the Divine Will produces peace of heart, by stifling vain desires and those which even deceive piety by an appearance of good. And finally we triumph over the senses by PRAYER. by humility, and by penitence, by chastising the body and bringing it into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27Open Link in New Window). It is in this war of each moment that the Christian arrives at perfection.

Continue reading →

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

The Tenth Chapter: To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Tenth Chapter: To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet

The Disciple

NOW again I will speak, Lord, and will not be silent. I will speak to the hearing of my God, my Lord, and my King Who is in heaven. How great, O Lord, is the multitude of Your mercies which You have stored up for those who love You. But what are You to those who love You? What are You to those who serve You with their whole heart?

Truly beyond the power of words is the sweetness of contemplation You give to those who love You. To me You have shown the sweetness of Your charity, especially in having made me when I did not exist, in having brought me back to serve You when I had gone far astray from You, in having commanded me to love You. Continue reading →

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER X.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER X.: To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet

The world is so enslaved by the passions, that it can understand nothing of the felicity of the children of God. Sometimes it pities them as the world knows how to pity, casting on them a look of contempt; sometimes it contemplates them with a kind of stupid astonishment. It has no idea of what takes place in the soul united to its Creator; no idea of the consolations and of the delicious calm which it enjoys. Saint Paul crying out: I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation (2 Corinthians, 7:4), is an inexplicable mystery to it; it will never be able to conceive that pure joy, which is justice and peace in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17Open Link in New Window). What then is the lot of the worldly man ? an immense discontent scattered over with a few pleasures; and, when God does not entirely abandon him, remorse. Search into his heart, and that is all you will find. Remorse is his justice, and discontent his peace.

ASPIRATION.

Grant me thy grace, O my God, and if my affections, my desires, my love, and my fidelity, can never be worthy of Thee, may they all at least be devoted to thy service. Amen.

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

The Ninth Chapter: All Things should be Referred to God as their Last End

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The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Ninth Chapter: All Things should be Referred to God as their Last End

The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, I must be your supreme and last end, if you truly desire to be blessed. With this intention your affections, which are too often perversely inclined to self and to creatures, will be purified. For if you seek yourself in anything, you immediately fail interiorly and become dry of heart.

Refer all things principally to Me, therefore, for it is I Who have given them all. Consider each thing as flowing from the highest good, and therefore to Me, as to their highest source, must all things be brought back. Continue reading →

Week 20 : Imitate Christ, Weekly Study Guide

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Week 20 Discussion Notes:1

  1. The Little Kempis says, “Humilia te (Humble Yourself). Humble yourself in all things, and before all persons, and you will obtain favor from all. You will be accepted by God and loved by all people.” Is it REALLY your experience that humility makes all people love you? Don’t many people react negatively to humility? (Day 134)
  2. Kempis wrote in Chapter 7, “It is better for you to have little than to have much which may become the source of pride.” This is another bit of advice that seemingly works better on paper than in practice. Is Kempis’ advice here intended for another time and place? (Day 135)
  3. In Chapter 8, Kempis wrote, “Left to myself, I am nothing but total weakness. But if You look upon me for an instant, I am at once made strong and filled with new joy.” Have you noticed God making such a total transformation in your life? (Day 137)
  4. Kempis wrote in Chapter 9, “From Me the small and the great, the poor and the rich draw the water of life as from a living fountain, and they who serve Me willingly and freely shall receive grace upon grace.” (Day 139)

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 3 , Chapter 7 : Grace Must Be Hidden Under the Mantle of Humility (May 15, 2013)
  2. Book 3 , Chapter 8 : Self-Abasement in the Sight of God (May 17, 2013)
  3. Book 3 , Chapter 9 : All Things should be Referred to God as their Last End (May 19, 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 IX.

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Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER IX.: All Things should be Referred to God as their Last End

All that is good flows from God, who is the supreme good, and all that He does is good, because He draws it from himself. There is not in the world any real evil but sin; for the punishment of sin is not an evil, because, supported with patience, it expiates it, and because it always re-establishes the order which sin had disturbed. Thus we hold from God life, intelligence, love, which should ascend again perpetually towards their source; and of ourselves we can do nothing, not even say: My Father! (Romans 8:15Open Link in New Window). For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings (Romans 8:26Open Link in New Window). The only thing which belongs to us is sin; it is the fruit of our free will, and its wages is Death (Romans 6:23Open Link in New Window).

Continue reading →

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