The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Twelfth Chapter: Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Concupiscence
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
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Eleventh Chapter: The Longings of our Hearts Must Be Examined And Moderated
MY CHILD, it is necessary for you to learn many things which you have not yet learned well.
The Disciple Continue reading
Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER XI.: The Longings of our Hearts Must Be Examined And Moderated
). It is in this war of each moment that the Christian arrives at perfection.
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Tenth Chapter: To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet
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
Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER X.: To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet
). 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.
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
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
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
). For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings (Romans 8:26). The only thing which belongs to us is sin; it is the fruit of our free will, and its wages is Death (Romans 6:23).
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Eighth Chapter: Self-Abasement in the Sight of God
I WILL speak to my Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. If I consider myself anything more than this, behold You stand against me, and my sins bear witness to the truth which I cannot contradict. If I abase myself, however, if I humble myself to nothingness, if I shrink from all self-esteem and account myself as the dust which I am, Your grace will favor me, Your light will enshroud my heart, and all self-esteem, no matter how little, will sink in the depths of my nothingness to perish forever.
It is there You show me to myself–what I am, what I have been, and what I am coming to; for I am nothing and I did not know it. 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. Great wonder it is that I, who of my own weight always sink to the depths, am so suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by You. Continue reading
Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION
CHAPTER VIII.: Self-Abasement in the Sight of God
); Adam cast naked, with his sin, on accursed earth! Adam, who had just heard these words: Thou shall die the death (Genesis 2:17)! Then read in the Gospel the fearful maledictions pronounced on the proud Pharisees, whilst he who humbles himself is at once justified. A woman weeps at the feet of Jesus; she humiliates herself on account of her sins; she scarcely ventures to ask pardon for them; her silence alone supplicates. The Saviour moved by her tears, consoles her, and many sins are forgiven her because she hath loved much (Luke, 7:47).
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION
The Seventh Chapter: Grace Must Be Hidden Under the Mantle of Humility
IT IS better and safer for you to conceal the grace of devotion, not to be elated by it, not to speak or think much of it, and instead to humble yourself and fear lest it is being given to one unworthy of it. Do not cling too closely to this affection, for it may quickly be changed to its opposite. When you are in grace, think how miserable and needy you are without it. Your progress in spiritual life does not consist in having the grace of consolation, but in enduring its withdrawal with humility, resignation, and patience, so that you neither become listless in prayer nor neglect your other duties in the least; but on the contrary do what you can do as well as you know how, and do not neglect yourself completely because of your dryness or anxiety of mind.
There are many, indeed, who immediately become impatient and lazy when things do not go well with them. The way of man, however, does not always lie in his own power. It is God’s prerogative to give grace and to console when He wishes, as much as He wishes, and whom He wishes, as it shall please Him and no more. Continue reading