The Fifty-First Chapter: When We Cannot Attain to the Highest, We Must Practice the Humble Works

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION

The Fifty-First Chapter: When We Cannot Attain to the Highest, We Must Practice the Humble Works


The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, you cannot always continue in the more fervent desire of virtue, or remain in the higher stage of contemplation, but because of humanity’s sin you must sometimes descend to lower things and bear the burden of this corruptible life, albeit unwillingly and wearily. As long as you wear a mortal body you will suffer weariness and heaviness of heart. You ought, therefore, to bewail in the flesh the burden of the flesh which keeps you from giving yourself unceasingly to spiritual exercises and divine contemplation.

In such condition, it is well for you to apply yourself to humble, outward works and to refresh yourself in good deeds, to await with unshaken confidence My heavenly visitation, patiently to bear your exile and dryness of mind until you are again visited by Me and freed of all anxieties. For I will cause you to forget your labors and to enjoy inward quiet. I will spread before you the open fields of the Scriptures, so that with an open heart you may begin to advance in the way of My commandments. And you will say: the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory which shall be revealed to us. Continue reading

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER LT.

Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION

CHAPTER LT.: When We Cannot Attain to the Highest, We Must Practice the Humble Works


To contemplate God and to love Him, and still to contemplate and love Him; that is heaven. The soul, here below, sometimes receives a foretaste of it; it feels itself full of ardour and inebriated with joy; it says: It is good for us to be here (Matthew 17:4Open Link in New Window). But soon the time of trial arrives: we must descend from Tabor and walk in the way of the cross. Happy the soul which, in abandonment, dryness, and sufferings, remains in peace, without letting itself be cast down, and without murmuring; which, faithful to Jesus dying, follows Him courageously to Calvary; and, having partaken of the banquet of the bridegroom, ready to share his sacrifice, cries out like one of the Apostles: Let us also go, that we may die with Him (John, 11:16).

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

The Fiftieth Chapter: How a Desolate Person Ought to Commit Himself Into the Hands of God

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION

The Fiftieth Chapter: How a Desolate Person Ought to Commit Himself Into the Hands of God


The Disciple

LORD God, Holy Father, may You be blessed now and in eternity. For as You will, so is it done; and what You do is good. Let Your servant rejoice in You–not in himself or in any other, for You alone are true joy. You are my hope and my crown. You, O Lord, are my joy and my honor.

What does Your servant possess that he has not received from You, and that without any merit of his own? Yours are all the things which You have given, all the things which You have made. Continue reading

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER L.

Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION

CHAPTER L.: How a Desolate Person Ought to Commit Himself Into the Hands of God


God permits our souls to be sometimes almost abandoned, as it were. No consolation; no light; but on all sides trials, temptations, anguish. We think ourselves near succumbing, because we no longer feel the arm which bears us up. What is then to be done? Is it to say with Jesus, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46Open Link in New Window); and nevertheless remain peacefully in suffering and in darkness, till the day break, and the shadows retire (Song of Solomon 2:17Open Link in New Window). This state is the greatest exercise of faith; it is for the soul an image of death; cold, motionless, apparently insensible, it is, as it were, shut up in a tomb, and attached to God only by a will growing gradually weaker, and in which it even has no confidence. But oh 1 what graces are the fruit of that agony, when borne with humble patience 1 Oh! how many sins does not that passion expiate! It is then that the mystery of salvation is accomplished in us, and that we become really conformable to the will of Jesus Christ.

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

The Forty-Ninth Chapter: The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION

The Forty-Ninth Chapter: The Desire of Eternal Life; the Great Rewards Promised to Those Who Struggle


The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, when you feel the desire for everlasting happiness poured out upon you from above, and when you long to depart out of the tabernacle of the body that you may contemplate My glory without threat of change, open wide your heart and receive this holy inspiration with all eagerness. Give deepest thanks to the heavenly Goodness which deals with you so understandingly, visits you so mercifully, stirs you so fervently, and sustains you so powerfully lest under your own weight you sink down to earthly things. For you obtain this not by your own thought or effort, but simply by the condescension of heavenly grace and divine regard. And the purpose of it is that you may advance in virtue and in greater humility, that you may prepare yourself for future trials, that you may strive to cling to Me with all the affection of your heart, and may serve Me with a fervent will.

My child, often, when the fire is burning the flame does not ascend without smoke. Likewise, the desires of some burn toward heavenly things, and yet they are not free from temptations of carnal affection. Therefore, it is not altogether for the pure honor of God that they act when they petition Him so earnestly. Such, too, is often your desire which you profess to be so strong. For that which is alloyed with self-interest is not pure and perfect. Continue reading

The Forty-Eighth Chapter: The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of This Life

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION

The Forty-Eighth Chapter: The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of This Life


The Disciple

O MOST happy mansion of the city above! O most bright day of eternity, which night does not darken, but which the highest truth ever enlightens! O day, ever joyful and ever secure, which never changes its state to the opposite! Oh, that this day shine forth, that all these temporal things come to an end! It envelops the saints all resplendent with heavenly brightness, but it appears far off as through a glass to us wanderers on the earth. The citizens of heaven know how joyful that day is, but the exiled sons of Eve mourn that this one is bitter and tedious.

The days of this life are short and evil, full of grief and distress. Here man is defiled by many sins, ensnared in many passions, enslaved by many fears, and burdened with many cares. He is distracted by many curiosities and entangled in many vanities, surrounded by many errors and worn by many labors, oppressed by temptations, weakened by pleasures, and tortured by want. Continue reading

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER XLVIII.

Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION

CHAPTER XLVIII.: The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of This Life


The maladies, the pains, the sufferings, the temptations, the invincible desire of a happiness which nothing offers to us here below–all recall to us unceasingly that great eternity in which Faith promises to us, in the possession of God Himself, repose, peace, and the perfect and infinite good, for which we long with all the powers of our souls. This is why the saints groan so bitterly under the weight of the fetters which still bind them to earth; this is why the Apostle cried out: I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ (Philippians i. 23). Then there shall no longer be fears or struggles, but an eternal triumph and an eternal joy. If a dull reflection of the Sovereign Truth already ravishes our intelligence, what will it be when we contemplate it in its full brilliancy? And if, even at present, it is so sweet to love, what will it be when we become intoxicated at the very source of love?

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

The Forty-Seventh Chapter: Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION

The Forty-Seventh Chapter: Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life


The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, do not let the labors which you have taken up for My sake break you, and do not let troubles, from whatever source, cast you down; but in everything let My promise strengthen and console you. I am able to reward you beyond all means and measure.

You will not labor here long, nor will you always be oppressed by sorrows. Wait a little while and you will see a speedy end of evils. The hour will come when all labor and trouble shall be no more. All that passes away with time is trivial. Continue reading

COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER XLVII.

Challoner’s Reflection on The Imitation of Christ1
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSULTATION

CHAPTER XLVII.: Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life


When the world appears wearisome to us, when we are ready to yield to the sadness of exile, let us raise our eyes and contemplate the dawn of our deliverance; though our outward man is corrupted; yet the inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16Open Link in New Window). Let us wait; the hour of rest is drawing near. Of what importance is a little fatigue or a little labour on the earth? We pass away, we have not here a lasting city (Hebrews 13:14Open Link in New Window). Jesus is gone to prepare a place for you in the house of His Father (John, 14:2, 3)

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

The Forty-Sixth Chapter: Trust in God Against Slander

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis
BOOK THREE: INTERNAL CONSOLATION

The Forty-Sixth Chapter: Trust in God Against Slander


The Voice of Christ

MY CHILD, stand firm and trust in Me. For what are words but words? They fly through the air but hurt not a stone. If you are guilty, consider how you would gladly amend. If you are not conscious of any fault, think that you wish to bear this for the sake of God. It is little enough for you occasionally to endure words, since you are not yet strong enough to bear hard blows.

And why do such small matters pierce you to the heart, unless because you are still carnal and pay more heed to men than you ought? You do not wish to be reproved for your faults and you seek shelter in excuses because you are afraid of being despised. But look into yourself more thoroughly and you will learn that the world is still alive in you, in a vain desire to please men. For when you shrink from being abased and confounded for your failings, it is plain indeed that you are not truly humble or truly dead to the world, and that the world is not crucified in you. Continue reading