The Imitation Of Christ
From the Lectionary:
Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as "The Imitation of Christ", in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will. An extract follows:
"When God bestows Spiritual comfort, receive it with a grateful heart; but remember that it comes of God's free gift, and not of your own merit. Do not be proud, nor over joyful, nor foolishly presumptuous; rather, be the more humble for this gift, more cautious, and more prudent in all your doings, for this hour will pass, and temptation will follow it. When comfort is withdrawn, do not immediately despair, but humbly and patiently await the will of Heaven; for God is able to restore you to a consolation even richer than before...."
Those wise words of Thomas resonate strongly with me, because God has graced me with great spiritual comforts, and I am constantly on guard against pride and mindful that the comforts of God's felt presence are free gifts and not due to any special holiness or worthiness on my part. Indeed, I am not worthy in any manner of God's great love.
Paraphrasing from the Book of Common Prayer, "[I am] not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy." Amen.
The Scripture readings from the Lectionary for the feast day are a great consolation in themselves.
PRAYER
Holy Father, who have nourished and strengthened your Church by the writings of your servant Thomas a Kempis: Grant that we may learn from him to know what we ought to know, to love what we ought to love, to praise what highly pleases you, and always to seek to know and follow your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
READINGS:
Psalm 34:1-8 or 33:1-5,20-21
Philippians 4:4-9
Luke 6:17-23
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJan, I thought this post would scare everyone off. When I talk about spiritual comforts with people face to face, it seems to spook them, or else they feel inferior because they do not have them, which is so very far from the truth - their being inferior, I mean. Many of them are far better Christians than I.
ReplyDeleteThomas a Kempis in medieval German, yet, said he showing off (or making an idiot of himself if it's not German).
ReplyDeleteWrote most of what is below on the MP "Dead Popes" page, but as it progressed it got a bit personal, so I'm pasting it here instead.
A few minutes ago I got a phone call - the second in years - from the dried-out ex addict (the good one) who I mentioned in passing over at "25 Acres" earlier today. A strange coincidence. He tells me that it's a difficult, one day at a time business, but that he's hanging in there and is restoring a seriously fractured relationship with his son, who would have been eight or ten years old when his marriage and life finally hit the rocks. It was good to hear from him and maybe I'll be able to help. He's a lapsed Roman Catholic and a descendant of Brigham Young (him and a few tens of thousands of others), which is quite a mixture. But good to hear from him and odd that I should have done so today.
I also, in addition to the dying crack addict I mentioned at 25 acres, have a long-term, live-in alcoholic over here. That situation is bad enough that I haven't, by choice, had a sip myself since Easter lunch! Living around a heavyweight drunk is no fun. Of course there are always the dogs to fall back on (occasionally, in his case, literally) but if when I cranky or inappropriate, you'll know what's at least a part of it.
And nothing that can't, one way or another, be handled, at least this far.
Bye.
Roger, I am happy about your dried-out ex-addict friend, but oh-so-sorry about your friend in jail dying of cancer with his only relief Tylenol.
ReplyDeleteI ache for you and for your live-in alcoholic. I lived with one for many years - my father - so I know a bit about what it's like. It's hell. How do you handle hell? One day at a time, like your friend the dried-out addict.
Credit due to you for not giving up on them. You have my highest admiration, truly.
I get cranky and inappropriate myself sometimes, and I'm not carrying your burdens.
God bless you and keep you in his peace, Roger.
I will pray for you and yours.
I had a wonderful, grace-filled walk this evening. Thanks be to God.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, Mimi. I purchased Imitation of Christ several months ago and haven't touched it yet. This is good incentive to do so.
ReplyDeleteThanks love. Much appreciated. It's the way life is, I'm used to it, and for the most part take it in stride. Truth be known, I'd probably miss it if it wasn't there. I said to someone just yesterday that the times I'm most likely to run into old acquaintances are shopping at the health food store and picking up friends at the county drug and alcohol treatment clinic.
ReplyDeleteSee you as the day progresses, I imagine.
Geor3ge, the saint and the Scripture readings yesterday were perfect for my very strange day.
ReplyDeleteRoger, you made me laugh. I hope you never lose your sense of humor. You're sunk if you do, you know.
Diane, de nada. I'm pleased you liked the post.
ReplyDeleteI love the Imitation of Christ.
ReplyDelete"If you knew the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would all that profit you without the love of God and without grace?"
Thank you for your lovely blog.
Gartenfische, thank you for visiting and for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's all about love.