February 22, 1736 - The Imitation of Christ

HAPPY is the one to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words that fade, but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses often deceive us and we discern very little.

What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters when our ignorance of them will not be held against us on Judgment Day? Neglect of things which are profitable and necessary and undue concern with those which are irrelevant and harmful, are great folly.

We have eyes and do not see.

What, therefore, have we to do with questions of philosophy? We to whom the Eternal Word speaks is free from theorizing. For from this Word are all things and of God all things speak -- the Beginning Who also speaks to us. Without this Word no [one] understands or judges aright. We to whom it becomes everything, who traces all things to it and who sees all things in it, may ease our hearts and remain at peace with God.

Prayer:

O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.

February 20, 1736 - The Imitation of Christ

The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance. Why prefer yourself to anyone else when many are more learned, more cultured than you?

If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel. To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.

February 17, 1736 - The Imitation of Christ

EVERY [human] naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his/[her] soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself /[herself] well becomes mean in his/[her] own eyes and is not happy when praised by [humans]. If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds?

Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise. Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God.

February 16, 1736 - The Imitation of Christ

What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a [hu]man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes [her]/him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone.

This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity, therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment later must come. It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides.

Often recall the proverb: "The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing." Try, moreover, to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God.

February 14, 1736, The Imitation of Christ

Dear and Gentle Readers,
I wish to gaive thanks for the texts of my favorite books. And here, forthwith, I present to you selections and a modicum of background information on those most esteemed texts. As for myself, I will attempting hard labour for our small group, as there needs to be decent and sturdy housing for our company. I will lead my small flock in prayer, study of the scripture, the singing of hymns and exhortation for two or three hours before breaking my fast and then we will build. Godspeed to you today and may we all pattern our lives after the example of Jesus Christ.
JW

Thomas a Kempis

Thomas Hemerken was born at Kempen, near Cologne Germany around the year 1380 AD. Born into a poor family, educated at the school of the Brethren of the Common Life, he entered the Canons Regular in the year 1399 where he took the habit in 1406. He performed the work of a spiritual director. His best known writing is The Imitation of Christ. He died in 1471.

The First Chapter
IMITATING CHRIST AND DESPISING ALL
VANITIES ON EARTH

"HE WHO follows Me, walks not in darkness," says the Lord. By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus Christ.

The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna. Now, there are many who hear the Gospel often but care little for it because they have not the spirit of Christ. Yet whoever wishes to understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole life on that of Christ.