In classical Western thought (both Christian and pagan), the unencumbered soul will always choose the Good, for that is the source of its existence. Therefore, when we “choose” to follow our base passions and desires, we are, in reality, enslaved to them and not free.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.31-35, pt.2 Read More »
In the later meditations, á Kempis shows us how someone who is in Christ responds to the hardship. If our responses are different, then the problem doesn’t lie with the response itself, but in our relationship with Jesus.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.26-30, pt.2 Read More »
We were created and commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Deut. 6:5, Matt. 22:37. That love, however, can be bent either internally resulting in pride, anger, and envy, or bent externally towards the material world resulting in greed, gluttony, or lust. Therefore, á Kempis encourages us to keep our love of God alone.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.26-30, pt.1 Read More »
Jesus gives us for lessons for peace: Do another’s will, prefer less than more, seek the lower place, and ask God’s will be fulfilled in you.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.21-25, pt.2 Read More »
For me, these meditations of á Kempis in leading us to imitate the meekness of the suffering servant raises the question of how do we confront injustice in the world.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.16-20, pt.2 Read More »
discernment is rooted in spiritual practice, yet it is not a step-by-step process. It requires, learning to listen for and recognize over time the voice and character of God in our hearts and daily lives. – Henri Nouwen
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.11-15, pt.2 Read More »
We want to be the best Christian we can be. But, the example Christ gives us is to be humble, not to be the “best”. In our union with Christ, we are not called to great moral progress or perfection but simply to appear before him with a broken and contrite heart. Ps. 51:17.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.6-10, pt.2 Read More »
Within these mediations á Kempis continues to caution us to not put our faith in holy things, religious practices, or spiritual feelings. Rather our faith and the object of our desire should be Christ alone.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.6-10, pt.1 Read More »
Wandering is good when the mind wanders on God during the entire extent of his prayer, on God’s glory and majesty, stemming from a recollection of the Scriptures, from an understanding of the divine utterances and holy words of the Spirit.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.1-5, pt.2 Read More »
The first step in this unification of the soul with Jesus is the cultivation of the ability to listen and to know his voice. Throughout the scriptures, we see that God speaks to us in our silence.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.1-5, pt.1 Read More »
