Category: Thomas A. Kempis

  • CONFESSING OUR WEAKNESS IN THE MISERIES OF LIFE

    Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE I WILL bring witness against myself to my injustice, and to You, O Lord, I will confess my weakness. Often it is a small thing that makes me downcast and sad. I propose to act bravely, but when even a small temptation comes I find myself in great straits. Sometimes…

  • TRUE PATIENCE IN SUFFERING

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST WHAT are you saying, My child? Think of My suffering and that of the saints, and cease complaining. You have not yet resisted to the shedding of blood. What you suffer is very little compared with the great things they suffered who were so strongly tempted, so severely…

  • ALL OUR CARE IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, allow me to do what I will with you. I know what is best for you. You think as a man; you feel in many things as human affection persuades. THE DISCIPLE Lord, what You say is true. Your care for me is greater than all…

  • TRUE COMFORT IS TO BE SOUGHT IN GOD ALONE

    Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE WHATEVER I can desire or imagine for my own comfort I look for not here but hereafter. For if I alone should have all the world’s comforts and could enjoy all its delights, it is certain that they could not long endure. Therefore, my soul, you cannot enjoy full consolation…

  • HOW ONE SHOULD FEEL AND SPEAK ON EVERY DESIRABLE THING

    Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, this is the way you must speak on every occasion: “Lord, if it be pleasing to You, so be it. If it be to Your honor, Lord, be it done in Your name. Lord, if You see that it is expedient and profitable for me, then…

  • CONSIDER THE HIDDEN JUDGMENTS OF GOD LEST YOU BECOME PROUD OF YOUR OWN DEEDS

    The Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE YOU thunder forth Your judgments over me, Lord. You shake all my bones with fear and trembling, and my soul is very much afraid. I stand in awe as I consider that the heavens are not pure in Your sight. If You found wickedness in the angels and did…

  • THE OBEDIENCE OF ONE HUMBLY SUBJECT TO THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS CHRIST

    The Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, he who attempts to escape obeying withdraws himself from grace. Likewise he who seeks private benefits for himself loses those which are common to all. He who does not submit himself freely and willingly to his superior, shows that his flesh is not yet perfectly…

  • AQUIRING PATIENCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CONCUPISCENCE

    The Imitation of Christ 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 My child, you are right, yet My…

  • THE LONGINGS OF OUR HEARTS MUST BE EXAMINED AND MODERATED

    The Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, it is necessary for you to learn many things which you have not yet learned well. THE DISCIPLE What are they, Lord? THE VOICE OF CHRIST That you conform your desires entirely according to My good pleasure, and be not a lover of self but…

  • TO DESPISE THE WORLD AND SERVE GOD IS SWEET

    The Imitation of Christ 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.…