What Example Are We Following? The Way...Of The Cross.

This week, Thomas points us to the early church fathers as an example of how far we are to go in our quest for holiness.  He tells us of the trials and tribulations of these men and women, and how they persevered under dire persecutions and severe accommodations....but counted it all joy (Js 1:2).  As mentioned last time, these last few chapters, as well as the next few (15-20, really) should be read together to get the sense that Thomas is driving at:  living a Holy Life.  Of course, this Book, and indeed the four books, were written as a "manual" for new members of the monastery in which Thomas himself lived.  This first book, then, is the most "practical" in that it contains direct advice to those entering the monastic life.  Each subsequent book takes the acolyte deeper into God's mystery, culminating in the source and summit of our faith in book 4.  This all reminded me of a song from my Promise Keepers days, called "Face to Face".  Give it a listen while you're reading and praying.

Chapter 18

The Examples of the Holy Fathers

Look upon the vivid examples of the holy fathers and the saints in whom true perfection and religion were most evident and you will see how little, and almost nothing, that is which we do by comparison.  Alas! what is our life, if compared to theirs? The Saints and friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst; in cold and nakedness; in labor and weariness; in watching and fastings; in prayers and holy meditations; in persecutions and many insults – Hebrews 11:37

2. Ah! Consider how many and how grievous tribulations were endured by the apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and indeed all the saints, who willingly followed in Christ's footsteps! For they disparaged their lives in this world, that they might possess them for eternity – Jn 12:25.

Oh, how strict and mortified a life did the holy fathers lead in the desert! What long and grievous temptations did they endure! How often were they persecuted by the enemy! What frequent and fervent prayers did they offer to God! What rigorous abstinence did they go through! What great zeal and fervor for they had for their spiritual progress! How strong a war did they wage for overcoming vice! How pure and upright was their intention to God! They labored all day and in the night they gave themselves to prayer: though even while they were at work they did not cease from mental prayer.

3. They spent all their time profitably: every hour seemed short which they spent with God. Often through the great sweetness of divine contemplation they forgot even the the bodily needs of food and rest. They renounced all riches, dignities, honors, friends, and families; they desired to have nothing of this world; they scarcely allowed themselves the necessities of life; serving the body, even in necessity, was wearisome to them.  They were poor, therefore, as to earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtue. Outwardly they were in want, but inwardly they were refreshed with divine graces and consolations.

4. They were strangers to the world, but to God they were near and familiar friends. To the world, they were despised, and even to themselves, seemed as nothing; but in the eyes of God they were very precious and beloved. They stood in true humility, they lived in simple obedience, they walked in charity and patience; and therefore they daily advanced in spirit, and obtained great favor with God. They were given as an example for all the devout ones, and ought more to excite us to make good progress than the number of the lukewarm to grow slack.

5. Oh, how great was the fervor of all the devout in the beginning of their holy societies! Oh, how great was their devotion in prayer! How great their zeal for virtue! What great devotion was in force among them! What great reverence and obedience in all, flourished under the rule of a superior! The footsteps remaining still bear witness that they were truly perfect and holy saints, who, waging war so stoutly, trod the world under their feet. Today, those who are not transgressors are thought great, as well as those who can with endure with patience what has been undertaken.

6. Ah, the lukewarmness and negligence of our state, that we so quickly fall away from our former fervor, and are now even wary of living through sloth and tepidity. Would to God that advancement in virtues was not wholly asleep in you who have so often seen many examples of the devout!

And so Thomas reminds us that this quest is not a one-time event.  Or a "retreat" event.  This following in Christ's footsteps, and in the steps for the Church's Saints, is a day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year event.  And yes....even minute-by-minute, step by step!

Until next time, thanks for praying along with me.
tim