Illumination

Photo credit: philhotsanhao

"O Light everlasting, surpassing all created lights, dart down Thy ray from on high which shall pierce the inmost depths of my heart. Give purity, joy, clearness, life to my spirit that with all its powers it may cleave unto Thee with rapture passing man's understanding. Oh when shall that blessed and longed-for time come when Thou shalt satisfy me with Thy presence, and be unto me All in all? So long as this is delayed, my joy shall not be full."

--from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

..

Listening Lesson

Blessed is the soul which heareth the Lord speaking within it, and receiveth the word of consolation from His mouth. Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world. Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth inwardly. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to things without, but are fixed upon things within. Blessed are they who search inward things and study to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly mysteries. Blessed are they who long to have leisure for God, and free themselves from every hindrance of the world. Think on these things, O my soul, and shut the doors of thy carnal desires, so mayest thou hear what the Lord God will say within thee.

--from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

..

Tempting Times

So long as we live in the world, we cannot be without trouble and trial. Wherefore it is written in Job, the life of man upon the earth is a trial. And therefore ought each of us to give heed concerning trials and temptations, and watch unto prayer, lest the devil find occasion to deceive; for he never sleepeth, but goeth about seeking whom he may devour. No man is so perfect in holiness that he hath never temptations, nor can we ever be wholly free from them...

Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but the more fervently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to help us in all our tribulation; and that He will, as St. Paul saith, with the temptation make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it. Let us therefore humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God in all temptation and trouble, for He will save and exalt such as are of an humble spirit.

--from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

Information Overload

Some of us are knowledge addicts. We want to know all there is to know about everyone and everything. We subscribe to countless RSS feeds on news, technology, cooking, etc. We read voraciously and yet are never satisfied. Endlessly curious, we sometimes even poke into areas that invade someone else's privacy. And, sadly, we often base our self-worth on how "smart" we have become in the world's eyes instead of who we are in Christ's eyes.

Don't get me wrong; the desire to grow in knowledge is a good thing. But even good things can become obsessions and can distract us from our true purpose in bringing honor and glory to God. Read what one of our Great Thinkers have to say on the subject:

Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to appear learned, and to be called wise. Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul. And foolish out of measure is he who attendeth upon other things rather than those which serve to his soul's health. Many words satisfy not the soul, but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure conscience giveth great confidence towards God.

--from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

Perspective

"That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself. To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not how long thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail; hold thou no man more frail than thyself."

--from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

Saturday Special

Welcome to the weekend! This Saturday's special is a selection from one of my favorite books, The Imitation of Christ. For those of you unfamiliar with this classic work, you are in for a treat. Few writers in my experience can pack as much spiritual punch in so few sentences as this 14th century monk. Enjoy!

"What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which maketh a man dear to God. I had rather feel contrition than be skilful in the definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what should all this profit thee without the love and grace of God? Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, save to love God, and Him only to serve. That is the highest wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom."

-- Thomas a Kempis from The Imitation of Christ

Heavenly Minded

So often we stumble along through our days, caught up in the cares of the moment, never stopping to realize that there is a bigger picture beyond our circumstances. How often do we take the time to stop, look up, and consider the wonder that is God's love for us? Our minds are mired in thoughts of ourselves and the tyranny of the urgent. How much better and more peaceful an existence we can have when we take on the mind of Christ.

"But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing after it, because they have not the mind of Christ. He, therefore, that will fully and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ, let him strive to conform his whole life to that mind of Christ." -- Thomas a Kempis