Tag: Thomas A. Kempis

  • 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.…

  • ALL THINGS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO GOD AS THEIR LAST END

    The Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST 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…

  • SELF-ABASEMENT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD

    The Imitation of Christ THE DISCIPLE 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,…

  • GRACE MUST BE HIDDEN UNDER THE MANTLE OF HUMILITY

    The Imitation of Christ THE SEVENTH CHAPTER THE VOICE OF CHRIST 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.…

  • LISTEN HUMBLY TO THE WORDS OF GOD. MANY DO NOT HEED THEM

    The Imitation of Christ THE VOICE OF CHRIST MY CHILD, hear My words, words of greatest sweetness surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of earth. My words are spirit and life, and they are not to be weighed by man’s understanding. They are not to be invoked in vanity but are…

  • TRUTH SPEAKS INWARDLY WITHOUT THE SOUND OF WORDS

    The Imitation of Christ THE SECOND CHAPTER THE DISCIPLE “SPEAK, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.” “I am Thy servant. Give me understanding that I may know Thine ordinances6 … Incline my heart to Thine ordinances … Let Thy speech distil as the dew.”28 The children of Israel once said to Moses: “Speak thou to us…

  • INTERNAL CONSOLATION

    The Imitation of Christ BOOK THREEThe First Chapter THE INWARD CONVERSATION OF CHRIST WITH THE FAITHFUL SOUL “I WILL hear what the Lord God will speak in me.” Blessed is the soul who hears the Lord speaking within her, who receives the word of consolation from His lips. Blessed are the ears that catch the…