A New Year's Blessing

From today's Mass. Reading 1 Nm 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them."

The Temptations: Not Just Your Imagination Running Away



The Temptations

 This week, we look at part 1 of Resisting Temptations.  Click here to take a listen while you read through.  I like this song for many reasons, but The Temptations seem to capture some of the essence of the idea which our good friend Thomas a' Kempis is talking about in this first part of the meditation on Temptation.  The song tells us to pray!

First, Thomas sets the stage in that we are faced with temptation all our life. He tells us to pay attention to our tendencies.  Then he tells us that even the best of saints, like St. Francis of Assisi, were heavily tempted. Legend has it that St. Francis would roll in the snow when tempted toward fleshly urges, or throw himself into a thorn bush!

Finally, Thomas begins to give us a strategy to fighting temptation.  Getting to the root of the temptation is the key, he says, to conquering whatever is grabbing our attention.

Chapter 13 (part 1)  Resisting Temptations

As long as we live in this world we cannot be without tribulation and temptation. Hence it is written in the Book of Job: “the life of a man upon earth is a temptation and a drudgery (Job 7:1)."


Everyone, therefore, ought to be anxious about his temptations, and to watch in prayer, for fear that the devil, who never sleeps, but “goes about seeking whom he may devour” find room to deceive him (1 Peter 5:8).


No man is so perfect and holy as not to have some temptations; and we never can be wholly free from them.


2. Yet temptations are often very profitable to a man although troublesome and grievous; for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed.


St Francis of Assisi

All the saints have passed through many tribulations and temptations and have profited by the same; and they who could not support temptations have become reprobates and fallen away.

There is no order so holy, nor place so retired, where there are not temptations and adversities.


3. A man is never entirely secure from temptations as long as he lives; because we have within us the source of temptation, having been born in concupiscence.


When one temptation or tribulation is over, another comes on; and we shall have always something to suffer, because we have lost the good of our original happiness.


Many seek to fly temptations and fall more painfully into them.


We cannot overcome temptations by flight alone; but by patience and true humility we are made stronger than our enemies.

He who only fights off temptations outwardly and does not pluck out the root will profit little; indeed, temptations will soon return to him and he will find himself in a worse condition than before.


By degree, and by patience, with forbearance, you shall by God’s grace better overcome temptation than by harshness and your own demands.


In temptation, often take counsel, and do not deal harshly with one that is tempted; but comfort him as you would wish to be comforted.

More next week on this strategy:  Thomas will advise us that we can deal with our temptation rationally and methodically, and in overcoming these in the long-run is like working out to become physically fit.
 
Until next time,
Thanks for reading and praying along with me.
tim

A Christmas Meditation: On Wisdom and the Good Life

The Nativity, by Ariel Agemian

"A good life makes you wise according to God, and expert in many things.  The more humble  you are in yourself, and more subject to God, the more wise you will be in all things, and the more at peace."

Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 4, Para 2.
.....................................................................

"While they were there (1), the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.  She wrapped him in swaddling clothes(2) and laid him in a manger (3), since there was no room for them in the inn."



House of Bread



  Luke 2:6-7.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

(1) Bethlehem, which means "House of Bread"

(2) allusion to Solomon, see Wisdom 7:4-6

(3) allusion to Isaiah 1:3



Raising the Flag of Adversity

The Utility of Adversity

In this twelfth Chapter, Thomas brings us into the notion spoken of in Proverbs 27:17, "As Iron sharpens iron; so one person sharpens another."  Our adversity has utility in that it brings us closer to one another, closer to humility and closer to The Lord. In our humility, it knocks off the spurs!

Indeed, why do we pray, do good works, go to Mass, write blogs about the Faith, protest abortion, etc?  It certainly does NOT make us the wunderkind of the community.  These activities usually bring us derision, and so we "offer it up" for our own sins, and those of the whole world. 

It is good for us to have some troubles and adversities; for these make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is in a state of banishment, and may not place his hopes in anything of this world.


It is good that we sometimes suffer contradictions and that men have an evil or imperfect opinion of us when we do and intend well. These things are often a help to humility and defense against vainglory.
 For then we better run to God, our inward witness, when outwardly we are despised by men and little credit is given to us.



St Christopher and The Christ

 I put St. Christopher here, since here is one guy who suffered derision to the point that historians even doubt whether or not he existed.  But yet, he, or his representative, carried Christ, our inward witness.  As we carry Christ, we can more easily wade the deep waters that trouble us in our daily walk.  St. Christopher, please pray for us! -help us to be Christ-bearers into the Christmas Season.

2. Therefore a man should so establish himself in God so as to have no need of seeking comforts from men.


When a man of good will is troubled, or tempted, or afflicted with evil thoughts, then he better understands what need he has of God, without whom he finds he can do no good (John 15:5).


Then also he laments, he sighs, and prays, by reason of the miseries which he suffers.

Then he is weary of living longer, and he wishes death to come so that he may be dissolved and be with Christ: (Phil 1:23).


Then also he will perceive that perfect security and full peace cannot be found in this world.

In this concluding paragraph, Thomas tells us that we should place our hope in the Lord, since, while we may believe that some day the lion and the lamb will lay down together (perhaps the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God!), that right now we will continue to have tribulation in this world. So we keep standing up for the rights of the unborn, the poor, the widow, the orphan, even in the face of the seeming futility, because in this adversity a flag is raised to give others hope, since He has overcome the world.

Until next time,
Thanks for reading and praying along with me.
Look for my next post during Christmas.  Merry Christmas!
tim

Can You Choose? Peace or Busy-ness or Fear



In Chapter 11, Thomas invites us to seek after peace and the pursuits of faith instead of worrying about the scattered activities of our neighbors.  Better to MYOB and develop your spiritual gifts. Thomas then uses the lives of the saints, like St. John of the Cross, to motivate us with their examples of self denial and discipline, to help us walk closer with God.  And going down this path requires us to reform our selfish nature into one of holiness. 



"Be not afraid"

 Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Our Spiritual Progress

1. You would have more peace if you would not be so busy with the comings and going of others and with things which do not belong to  you: attending to your own affairs.



How can you remain inwardly peaceful when you entangle yourself with other peoples’ cares,  seeking involvement in their worldly activities, and not focusing inwardly on your own spiritual growth?


Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace1.
2. What was the reason why some of the saints were so perfect and contemplative?

Because they made it their study to focus on mortifying within themselves all earthly desires; and they were then enabled, with every fiber of their heart, to cleave to God, and freely attend to themselves.

3. If you were perfectly dead to yourself, and in no way entangled in your selfishness, then you would be able to relish  divine things and experience something of heavenly contemplation.


The greatest hindrance to emptying yourself is this: that you are not free from passions and fleshly hungers; and yet you strive to walk easily in the perfect way of the saints. And when you meet with any small challenges, you are too quickly dispirited and turn away to seek after human comforts.

Thomas takes us to this place, and then makes some recommendations to keep us moving forward on this journey.  Standing up to our weaknesses builds spiritual muscles. One of Thomas' most often quoted maxims is at the beginning of paragraph 5, which will be highlighted. Thomas advises us to keep our fresh approach to the faith throughout our life.



Battle of Lepanto



4.  If you strive to stand up in the battle valiantly, you will without a doubt see the Lord help us from Heaven.

For He is ready to help those that fight and trust in His grace: He furnishes us with the opportunity of combating these instances that we may overcome and thereby be strengthened.


If your religious progress is only measured in these outward observances, your devotion will quickly be at an end.


Let us, therefore, lay the axe at the root that, being purged of passions, we may possess a quiet mind.



Perfection

 5. If every year we rooted out one vice, we would soon become perfect.


But now we often find it quite otherwise: that we were better and more pure in the beginning of our conversion than after many years of our profession.


Our fervor and progress ought to be every day greater, but now it is esteemed a great matter if a man can retain some part of his first fervor.


If we would use a little discipline on ourselves in the beginning, we might afterward do all things with ease and joy.


6. It is hard to quit your old habits; but harder to go against your own will.


But if you do not overcome things that are small and light when will you overcome greater difficulties?


Resist your inclination, in the beginning, and break off your old bad habits, for fear that little by little the difficulties will increase upon you.

St. John of The Cross

If you were sensible, you would pursue peace yourself and joy with others. By behaving yourself, you will be more eager for your spiritual progress.

Note on  St John of the Cross


1.  Similar to Matt 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." 

Who Fills Your Vessel?

Today's meditation comes from a quote from CS Lewis:

“God gives His gifts, Where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit....”, Matt 5:3.

Contrast this with: Tim's thoughts: Of course, we are the vessels.  The Blessed Virgin Mary, is the ultimate vessel. She emptied herself to the point that she was "Full of Grace...(Luke 1:28)."

Today's Meditation: Wise Up!

Today's Meditation:  Wise Up!

There be Treasure Here!

"...If you seek Wisdom like silver,

and like hidden treasures search Her out,

Then will you understand the awesome power of the LORD;

the knowledge of God you will find;

For the LORD gives Wisdom,

from His Mouth come knowledge and understanding..."

Proverbs, 2:4-6

Tim's Comment: pursuing God's Wisdom (a feminine gender in Scripture), is as exciting as prospecting for precious metals or finding treasure.

Today's Meditation: On Profit and Toil

A meditation for modern man From Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3: 9-13.

Pieta' by Michelangelo

What profit have workers from their toil?

I have seen the business that God has given to mortals to be busied about.

God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless* into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.

I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life.

Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil—this is a gift of God.

Tim's comment:  In viewing our daily work, put it into context - make it holy work as we do not all have the talent of Michelangelo.  So, rejoice and do well.

Book 1, Chapter 10

Thomas a'Kempis advises us to use our words sparingly and carefully.  Stay away from chatter and chatterboxes. That we can enter into conversations that are not worth much, or seeking after gossip.

Avoiding a Superfluity of Words

Don't Talk Too Much

1. Fly the tumult of others as much as you can; for talking of worldly affairs, regardless of your good intention, hinders the spiritual life.


This is because we are quickly defiled and ensnared with vanity.


Oftentimes I wish I had been silent and not been in the company of others.

But why are we so willing to talk and discourse with one another, since we seldom return to silence without prejudice to our conscience.

The reason why we are so willing to talk is, by talking with one another we seek comfort from one another; and we would gladly ease the heart, wearied by various worldly thoughts.

And we are very willing to talk and think of such things as we most love and desire, or which we imagine contrary to us.

This last sentence of paragraph one is interesting in that Good Thomas points right at our intent...our tendency to seek out gossip or complain of our imaginary enemies.  People don't talk about us as much as we imagine...and that too, is vanity!

In paragraph 2, below, Thomas starts out by telling us that we are our own worst enemy when it comes to growing closer to the Lord.  Indeed, Jesus tells us to "Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one. (Matt 5:37)"

2. But, alas! It is often in vain and to no purpose: for this outward consolation is no small hindrance to interior and divine comfort.




"Watch and Pray"



Therefore, we must each watch and pray (Matt 26:41) that our time may not pass away without fruit.

If it be lawful and expedient to speak, speak those things of God which may edify.


A bad use or habit, and the neglect of our spiritual advancement, are a great cause of our keeping so little guard upon our mouth.


But devout conversations concerning spiritual things help advance you toward spiritual progress, especially where persons of the same mind and spirit are associated together in God.

So what's a talker to do?  "Watch and Pray" is advice worth noting.  Not only because it is from Christ Himself, but because it is good advice in any situation.  If you are praying, you aren't talking...you are in conversation with God.

Speaking for myself, we all have a tendency to quibble or fill the silence with the noise of our words.  Praying affords us an opportunity to be present without the obligation of saying anything.  And the Lord will help us in filling that "void," with Himself.

Finally, in letting my "yes" be "yes" and "no" be "no" keeps things simple.  Why always explain everything?  This keeps words at a minimum.  It's an exercise of a new habit.  Try it out and see what He does when you talk to Him through Knee Mail!

Til next time....thanks for reading and praying along with me!
tim

Bob Dylan and Thomas A' Kempis say: "you're gonna have to serve somebody."

Book 1, Chapter 9:  On Obedience and Subjection

First, a little music to set the tone for this post, from Bob Dylan's "Slow Train Comin'" -Gonna have to serve somebody

Here, it's a pretty good guess that Thomas has a model in mind for us, in Christ's subjection and obedience.  The Creator of the universe humbles Himself to take on not just the form of a man, but of a helpless child, and later a boy.  This boy learned a trade, washed dishes, helped garden and feed the animals, etc.  Subjection here is a cooperation with and humble obedience to an authority even though not necessarily one "superior" to you.  And Thomas describes this sense below.


Jesus Willingly Subjected Himself
to Joseph and Mary

 1. It is a very great thing to be under obedience(1) to live under a superior and not be at our own disposal.  It is much more secure to be in a state of subjection than in authority.  Many are under obedience more out of necessity than for the love of God; and such as these are in pain and grumble easily.  Nor will they gain freedom of mind unless they submit themselves with their whole heart for God's sake.  Running here or there, you will find no rest, but in an humble subjection under the government of a superior.

Now Thomas takes us to an examination of our favorite opinions...our own.  He's counseling us to keep our thoughts to ourselves (once in awhile at least to begin with, for those of us, including me, who think we have a corner on the insightful comments!) .  If we listen more, perhaps we will hear God more!

Opinions & Belly Buttons

2.  It is true that everyone desires to act according to his own liking; and is more inclined to his own opinions of his own mind.  But if God is among us, we must sometimes give up our own opinions for the sake of peace.  Who is so wise as to be able to know all things?  Therefore, do not trust your own thoughts too much, but be willing to hear the sentiments of others.  Although your opinion may be good, yet for God's sake leave it to follow that of another and it will be more profitable to you.



Capturing a Swarm of Bees

 As a beekeeper, bees will teach you humility quickly.  And beekeepers learn this very fast.  We often share stories of our humiliation at the "hands" of these little creatures.  Listening to a seasoned beekeeper is well worth the subjection of our own opinion, even though all of us beekeepers think we know all about bees.
   Recently, having read all about swarms, I tried to capture one on my own.  I knew how to do it, even had opinions on the best way to approach the swarm.  But I was smart enough (and scared enough!) to call my friend Dave, for help.  And thank goodness I did!  Dave had the bees in a box in no time.  I learned a lot that day that added to my opinion and knowledge. Sacrificing a bit of humility along the way helped get the bees into the box.  Thanks, Dave! 


Yield!

 3.  For I have often heard that it is safer to listen to and take counsel than to give it.  It may also happen that each one's thoughts may be good; but to refuse to yield to others when reason or a just cause requires it, is a sign of your pride and willfulness.

Final comment:  as Bob Dylan says, "you're gonna have to serve somebody."
  You might as well bring it to the Lord and find the joy during the service and in the obedience.

Thanks for praying along with me.
Til next time, be imitators of Christ!

1. "He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart." Luke 2:51

What Business Are You In? A Daily Meditation

Today's meditation:  From The Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Ch 3, para 3.



Strength Through Prayer

 "And this must be our business, to strive to overcome ourselves, and daily to  gain strength over ourselves, and to grow better and better."

Meditation for Today: What's your Favorite Vice?

"If every year we rooted out one vice we should soon become perfect."


Favorite Vices


 Thomas a'Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Ch 11, ¶ 5.

My question for you:  What favorite vice will you root out this year?  Thomas doesn't define his year, and the way I count it, I can root out the one between now and Dec 31!

Time to get started.

Now, quit picking your ......................

Keep Praying, Keep Imitating Christ!
tim

How Familiar is this to You? Flattery, Intimacy and Imitation

Book 1: Chapter 8. Shunning Too Much Familiarity



Too Familiar!

 In this chapter, Thomas discusses familiarity in the sense of being overly familiar in situations that are better avoided. It’s that notion of avoiding the near-occasion of sin. Rather, we should guard our hearts and secrets. Thomas spends a few sentences on flattery – which is a concept related to imitation, isn’t it? Oftentimes flattery is false and disingenuous, whereas imitation is a true attempt at faithful mimicry. The language in this chapter was challenging in that it did not lend itself to direct equivalencies....luckily, Thomas gave us some biblical references to get a grip on what he was trying to teach us!

“Open not your heart readily to any man ”(Sirach 8:19), but handle your affairs with those who are wise and fear God.


Keep regular company with mature people but not with strangers.

Do not be a flatterer with the rich, nor willingly appear before the great.

Associate yourself with the humble and the simple, with the devout and the virtuous and deal with those things which edify one another (Rom 14:19).

Do not be overly familiar with a person of the opposite sex, but recommend them in their goodness, to God.

Therefore, desire to be familiar only with God and His angels, and avoid the acquaintance of others.

And from here, Thomas takes us int the next logical step, that of distinguishing charity from familiarity. But again, when we over-do it, people see through the flattery and this ruins their otherwise good reputation.

2. We must have charity for all, but familiarity is not advisable.

It sometimes happens that a person, when not know, shines by a good reputation, who, when he is present, is disagreeable to them that sees him.


We think sometimes to please others by being with them; and we begin, rather to disgust them by the evil behavior which they discover in us.

Thanks for praying with me.

Until next time, be Imitators of Christ!

Check out my web site: faithandfidelity.com
tim

Pride vs Humility: From Cain to Aslan to Samson to Mary

Chapter 7. Of fleeing from vain hope and pride.

Thomas offers us a simple warning and a promise:  if we put our faith in anyone or anything other than The Lord, we face futility.  However, God will honor our efforts and intentions if the rationale for these are in accord with His Will.

Cain & Abel

Life is vain for the one who puts trust in the children of Adam or in any created thing (Jer 17:5, Ps 146:2-4).  Do not be ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this life. (2 Cor 4:5)

Build your refuge in God (Ps 73:28), not upon your own capabilities. Do what is within your power, and God will help your good intent.
Trust in the favour of God, who resists the proud and gives grace to the humble, and do not trust in your learning, nor in the cleverness of others.

Next, Thomas cautions us to build our relationship with God.  He does not say that we should not have wealth or powerful friends, but rather to keep these in perspective: put God first as only He can break the Stone Table.

Aslan & The Stone Table

 It is easy to think our selves as not needing Him when we are in the flower of youth and health.  But this talent is from God Himself.  Think of Samson here.

2. If you have wealth, take no glory in your riches.  If you have powerful friends, do not rely upon that relationship, but in your relationship with God, who gives all things, and in addition to all things, He desires to give even Himself. (1 Cor 1:31).



Sampson & Delilah

 Boasting because of your strength or beauty of body is futile since it takes only a slight sickness for it to fail and wither away. Pride in your skilfulness or ability for fear that it will displease God, from Whom emanates every good gift and talent which we have.

Thomas concludes this chapter with an admonition to stay humble in all of your efforts. With Mary as a model of humility, we can practice our humility and obtain peace and quiet strength.  This does not ever amount to being a punching bag.

3. Do not count yourself better than others, since you will then be accounted worse in the sight of God, who knows what is in a man's heart.


Be humble about your good works, for God's judgments are of another sort than the judgments of man, and what pleases others is ofttimes displeasing to Him (Is 55:6-9).

Mary's Fiat

If you have any good qualities, believe that others have more, and so you may preserve your humility. It is no harm to you if you place yourself below all others; but it is great harm if you place yourself above even one other person. Peace is ever with the humble, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath.

Will This Spaghetti Make Me Restless?

Chapter 6: Of Inordinate Affections (Too much of a good thing).  

Today, Thomas tells us an obvious truth:  that if we eat too much, we will get indigestion; that if we drink too much alcohol, we will suffer a hang-over; that any blessing can be perverted into a curse.  The root of the problem lies in controlling our desires:

1. Whenever you desire more than you should reasonably expect, immediately you become restless. The proud and the self-interested are never at rest; while the poor of spirit and humble of heart abide in peace. Whoever is not wholly dead to self is soon tempted, and is overcome in small and unimportant matters. It is hard for the weak in spirit, especially those who are still in part of the carnal and inclined to the pleasures of the flesh, to withdraw altogether from worldly desires. When withdrawing from these inclinations, he is often sad, and easily angered too if anyone thwarts his will.

From here, good Thomas tells us how to get out of our self-dug hole:  resist these passions by filling your desires with fruits of the Spirit rather than worldliness.

It is OK to enjoy a thing so long as desire for that thing does not turn into an unhealthy desire - be it for more spaghetti, more ale, or more sex, more ______ (there's more to the list...just think of your favorite sins and fill in the blank). 

God does not have laws against charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generousity, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.  Of these we can have as much as we desire.  Let our passions be for these fruits of the Spirit.

2. On the other hand, if you yield to your tendencies, immediately you are weighed down by the conviction of your conscience; for you have followed your own desires, and yet in no way attained the hoped for peace by yielding to these temptations. For true peace of heart is to be found in resisting your passions, not in yielding to those passions. There is no peace in your heart when you are focused on the flesh. Nor is there peace for you who are given up to the things that are outside of you. Peace rests with you who are fervent towards God and living the life of the Spirit (see Gal 5:16-25).

Thanks for praying along with me,
'til next time, be Imitators of Christ!

Check out my new site!  faithandfidelity.com

You've Got To Read This Love Letter!

Thomas' good words about reading The Bible will help you think about your approach to reading God's Love Letter.  St. Jerome said that "Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ."  Don't be ignorant!


Thomas lays out the primary focus of Scripture - seeking the Truth.  Think back to Chapter 3, where this was explored at length.

Here is Chapter 5: On Reading the Holy Scriptures

1. The Truth is to be sought for in Holy Scripture, not eloquence.



St Jerome in Study



All Holy Scripture ought to be read with that Spirit with which it was written. We must seek insight in the Scriptures rather than for subtle expression. We ought to read the devout and simple books as well as those that are high and profound.

Do not let the authority of the Scripture writer put you off from reading, whether he was of little or of great learning, but let the love of pure truth lead you to read deeply. Do not ask 'who said this?', but rather attend to what is said.



Tattoo of Scripture Scholar



Thomas now cautions us to stay focused. Don't get bogged down in the "pots and pans" of Scripture. "Who wrote what...did I get that verse right?"  Indeed, he counsels us not to be "Scripture Scholars" by knowing chapter and verse as much as to know what God is saying to us and asking from us in His Great Love Letter. Which is not to say that memorizing Scripture is not a wonderful thing, rather it is a caution against obsessing over the letters of the law and missing the Spirit. So the approach is one of humility and openness to learning.  Think of Thomas' method as "God says" rather than St. Paul says in Galatians 6:17 * that ...."

2. Men pass away, 'but the truth of the Lord remains forever.' (PS 117:2 & 1 Peter 1:25). God speaks in many ways to us, regardless of who we are. Our curiosity often hinders us in reading the Scriptures when we attempt to understand and discuss that which should be simply passed over.

If we would receive insight from this, read with humility, simplicity, and faith; and do not seek the fame of being learned in Scripture. Ask after, and hear with silence the words of the saints; and be pleased with the parables of the ancients, for they are not spoken without cause (Sir 3:29).

*Gal 6:17 "From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus* on my body."

Some final thoughts on Scripture reading and study: 
First, Whenever someone quotes Bible Verses at you, I recommend reading the whole chapter from which the verse came.  Or at least 10 verses before and 10 after.  Think of all the interesting things we say in emails and how easily a line or two can be taken out of context.



St John Chrysostom

 Second, there are many profound insights on Scripture from the early Church Fathers (e.g. St. Basil, St. John Chrysostom) to St. Jerome to more modern scholars like Dr. Scott Hahn.  You can make a study of The Bible and it will benefit you greatly.  However, as Thomas says, don't get bogged down in some professorial interpretation of a text or book and miss the point.  Studying Scripture is one of my favorite things to do, and it is very easy to get distracted from the message when you are focused on acacia wood versus gopher wood!

God wrote us a love letter!  Read it and enjoy it.  Don't worry too much about what color ink He used, or on what day He wrote His Letter to you and me.  Write Him back, show Him you received His note via your daily actions.

Thanks for reading and praying along with me!

Until next time, be Imitators of Christ!
tim

Dear Prudence, Won't You Come Out to Play?

Book 1, Chapter 4:   Applying Prudence1 in What We Do.
In returning to Book 1, Chapter 4, Thomas guides us with this useful admonition On Applying


Prudence


Prudence to What We Do, especially in our relationships:

1.  We must be careful in giving credit to every word and suggestion by taking the necesssary time and attention to weighing the matter according to God's Standard.
  Alas!  we are so weak! We often readily believe and speak of another that which is evil rather than that which is good.
  But perfect men do not easily give credit to every report, because they know man's weakness, which is highly prone to evil and always subject to fail in words.

So prudence is applied to our situations involving what comes out of our own mouth and brain. There is a definite pragmatism to prudence: Think of this Cardinal Virtue as "Spiritual Cunning" in that there is a weighing of risk for a positive outcome that benefits not just ourselves, but the common good.

2.  It is great wisdom not to be rash in our actions; nor to be hard-hearted in our own opinion:  Nor should we believe every man's word; nor in-the-moment tell others the things which we have heard or believed.
  Consult with a wise and conscientious man (Tobit 4:18) and seek rather to be instructed by one who is wiser than to follow your own inclinations.
  A good life makes a man wise according to God, and expert in many things.  The more humble a man is in himself, and more subject to God, the more prudent he will be in all things and the more at peace.

Jesus Washes The Feet of His Disciples

The art of prudence, then, is tied closely with humility and reflecting our decisions against what The Lord tells us in Scripture and Tradition. We then balance that base line against the action in front of us, and He enables us to see the result which may seem overly cautious to others, but in reality is a thoughtful decision. Still for others, the decision may seem rash, until again, it is balanced against The Lord's view of things. Think here of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples (John 13). At first, it did not make any sense, especially to Peter. But Jesus clarified everything as he kept to his intent of showing how to lead.

May we be prudent, then, in measuring our thoughts and words toward one another, especially our family members, on this day.

Thanks for praying along with me.
Til Next time, be Imitators of Christ!

fn1 As much as I have issues with "The Beatles," they wrote a song called "Dear Prudence" which had no intent of musing about the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence, but rather was written to cajole a young woman with depression problems, to come out of her hotel room and socialize, I thought a similar cajoling may be necessary to tease Prudence back into our lives. She is in short supply these days, so perhaps this joyful song may bring Her out.

A short word on housekeepting: Turning Back to Book 1

I'm heading back to Book 1, and will resume the blog with a discussion of Chapter 4 in the next post.....probably over the weekend.

All the best! 

Keep praying!  Keep Imitating Him!  Wait, that's both at the same time!

God Says "I Am Giving You Myself!"

This week I'm taking a moment to reflect on the power of this first chapter of book IV.

Thomas wrenches it all down for us, doesn't he? In this chapter he wonders at our unmerited grace and our unworthiness...and then wonders how God deigns to give us Himself. Shades of St. Augustine.



Cell Penetration: Eucharist & You

 By receiving Holy Communion, God infuses Himself into our very being. By His physical Presence, He uses the material world to penetrate our very cells with His Being...His Flesh, His Blood, so that we may become more like Him. He enters our hearts by becoming ingested particles, our brains soak Him in not just through listening to His Word, but by The Word becoming fles, our flesh, ands dwelling among us.

I recall how joyful Donna would be when we were expecting, since as she received Holy Communion, she knew that The Body and Blood of Christ soared through her veins to the baby inside of her.

As we explore more of book IV, keep this chapter in mind as a proof text for all the pieces that follow...and there are many beautiful chapters to come. One in particular I cannot wait to write about for a friend who is patiently waiting to join the Church and receive Holy Communion. More on that when we get to book IV, Chapter 14. Perhaps I will write about that first. The structure of this book is more of selective meditations than a discourse.

Will Trade Sins for Food

How do we receive strength from The Blessed Sacrament?  By trading our sins for the restoration that is promised from the Food at the Altar(Jn 6:55).  

Christ's Body & Blood



Thomas brings the first chapter of Book IV to a close by bringing us to the reception of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.

11. Oh, the wonderful and hidden grace of this Sacrament, which only the faithful of Christ know, but unbelievers and such as are slaves to sin cannot experience.

In this Sacrament is conferred spiritual grace; lost virtue is repaired in the soul; and beauty disfigured by sin returns again.

And so great sometimes is this grace that from the abundance of devotion that is bestowed, not only the mind, but the frail body also feels a great increase of strength.

12. Yet it is much to be lamented and pitied that we should be so lukewarm and negligent as not to be drawn with greater affections to the receiving of Christ, in Whom consists all the hope and merit of those that shall be saved.

For He is our sanctification and our redemption; he is our comfort in our pilgrimage, and the eternal beatitude of the saints.
It is therefore much to be lamented that many regarded so lightly this saving mystery which rejoices heaven and preserves the whole world.

Oh, the blindness and hardness of the heart of man that does not more highly prize so unspeakable a gift; and from daily use falls into a disregard of it.

Thomas ends the chapter with a thought that hearkens back to his earlier chastisement about chasing after the bones of saints....why? When the Real Thing is as close as your local Church?

13. For if this most Holy Sacrament were only celebrated in one place, and consecrated by only one priest in the world, how great a desire would men have to go to that place, and to such a priest of God; that they might see the divine mysteries celebrated?


But now there are made many priests, and Christ is offered up in many places, that the grace and love of God to man may appear the greater, the more this Sacred Communion is spread throughout the world.

A prayer of Thanksgiving closes this all-important chapter.  Using Christ's own words of invitation so that we do not make any mistakes as to Who is doing the asking:

Thanks be to You, O Good Jesus, our Eternal Shepherd, Who has graciously agreed to feed us poor exiles with Your precious Body and Blood, and to invited us to receive these mysteries with the very words of Your own Mouth, saying: “Come to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.” Matt 11:28.

Thank you for praying along with me.

Until next time, be Imitators of Christ!
tim