This evening we are gathering to read chapters 1-4 of Book Two of The Imitation of Christ. Book One spoke of various spiritual disciplines: scripture reading, silence, resisting temptation, meditation on your own death, etc. not as an end unto themselves but for the greater purpose of coming to know, love, and imitate Christ. In the readings for tonight, à Kempis begins discussing with us what a life illuminated by Christ should look like. A light that doesn’t come from outside of ourselves, as did the law under the Old Testament, but resides fully within ourselves as we become united with Christ. For in being illuminated inwardly by Christ the prophecy of Jerimiah becomes fulfilled “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” Hebrews 8:8-13.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is Asian lettuce wraps. Discussion about 6:45. Bring a friend. Hope to see y’all here.
If you put god first, you will see his kingdom blossom within you, for the kingdom of God is living in peace and joy with the Holy Spirit . . . All his glory and beauty lies within you, and he finds great delight in living there.
Book 2, Chapter 1