com•punc•tion = Holy Guilt Prompting You to Look Inward

com•punc•tion (km-pungk’shen) (From the American Heritage Dictionary) n.

1. A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt. See Synonyms at penitence.

2. A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing. See Synonyms at qualm.

Thomas a’Kempis usage of the word compunction in this chapter, has more of a “holy tint” to its meaning.

In other words, the notion of GUILT in modern parlance is not a correct equivalent to compunction. Rather, here we are talking about holy compunction or spiritual uneasiness which motivates the devout toward their growth in holiness and maturity.

In this Chapter, Thomas drives us to form new habits to replace our habits of spiritual sluggishness. Using this “holy guilt” of compunction, we should follow that feeling to examine our deeds and our actions and our thoughts. When we follow this path, and throw off vain distractions, we will more readily be able to see our own sins and thereby repent. When we contemplate our mortality in comparison to eternity, and quit our whining by offering up our physical struggles as part of our amendment for sins committed.

Through Compunction of Heart, then, Thomas tells us to pay attention to that uneasy feeling. Seek out its cause. Meditate and pray through that bothersome nudge, and through it find yourself that much closer to the Cross of Christ.

Enjoy reading and praying along with Thomas and me.

Amen.
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Chapter 21

Compunction of Heart

If you will make any progress keep yourself in the fear of God (Pr 23:17) and be not too free, but restrain all thy senses under discipline, and do not give up yourself up to foolish mirth.

Give yourself to holy compunction of heart and you shall find devotion.

Compunction opens the way to goodness, which you may quickly lose through distracting habits.

It is wonderful that you can heartily rejoice in this life when you weigh and considers your banishment and the many dangers of your soul.

2. Through levity of heart and the little thought we have of our defects we do not feel the sorrows of our soul, but often vainly laugh when in all reason we ought to weep.

There is no true liberty, nor solid joy, but in fear of God with a good conscience.
Happy are those who can cast away all hindrances of distractions and recollect themselves in holy compunction.

Happy are those who separate themselves from all that may burden or defile their own conscience.

Strive dutifully; Habit is overcome by new customs.

If you can let others alone, they will let you do what you have to do.

3. Do not busy yourself with the affairs of others, nor entangle yourself with the causes of great people.

Have always an eye upon yourself in the first place and take special care to admonish yourself preferably to all of your dearest friends.

If you do not have the favor of others don’t be upset: but let your concern be that to carry yourself well and so prudently as becomes a servant of God, and a devout believer.

It is oftentimes more profitable and more secure for a believer not to have many comforts in this life, especially according to the flesh.

Yet, it is our own fault that we do not have or seldom experience divine comforts; because we do not seek compunction of heart, nor cast off altogether vain and outward satisfactions.

4. Acknowledge yourself as unworthy of divine consolation, and rather worthy of much tribulation.

When a you have perfect compunction then the whole world is burdensome and distasteful. A devout believer always finds subjects enough for mourning and weeping.

For whether you consider yourself, or think of your neighbor, you know that no one lives here without tribulation; and the more thoroughly you truly consider yourself, the more you grieve.

The subjects for just grief and interior compunction are vices and sins, in which we lie entangled in such a manner as seldom to be able to contemplate heavenly things.

5. If you would more often think of your death than of a long life, no doubt you would more fervently amend your life.

And if you did seriously consider in your heart the future punishment of hell or purgatory, I believe you would willingly endure labor and pain, and fear no kind of austerity in this life.

But because these things do not reach the heart, and we still love the things which flatter us, therefore we remain cold and very sluggish in our amendments.

6. It is oftentimes a lack of spirit which makes it so easy to complain of our physical discomforts.

Pray, therefore, humbly to Our Lord, that He may give you the spirit of compunction, and say with the prophet, “Feed me, O Lord, with the bread of tears and give me the drink of tears in measure (Ps 80:6).”

Time to Close the Door for Some Peace

This week, Thomas explores the value of solitude.  His exploration isn't based in selfishness but rather in self-examination.  Another opportunity to pray and to work on our favorite sins.  Thomas looks at the value of "keeping to ourselves" and the risks we take  by unnecessarily entering into the fray.  We do this sometimes to be comforted as a vanity.  Thomas teaches us that we can receive heavenly comfort as we work to diminish our faults and clear/clean out the attic of our conscience.  Thomas concludes this meditation with practical words -  "Shut your door behind you, and call out to Jesus your beloved. Remain with Him in your chamber, for you shall not find elsewhere so great peace."  This is time well spent.

BOOK 1, CHAPTER 20: The Love of Solitude and Silence




Lincoln Reading
By Firelight

 Seek a suitable time for your meditation, and think frequently of the mercies of God to you. Leave curious questions. Study such matters as bring you sorrow for sin rather than amusement. If you withdraw yourself from trifling conversations and idle visits, as well as from novelties and gossip, you shall find your time sufficient for good meditation. The greatest Saints avoided as far as they could the company of people, and chose instead to live in secret with God.

2. It has been said "As often as I have gone among men, so often have I returned less a man.1" This is what we often experience when we have lingered in our conversations. It is easier to be altogether silent than it is not to exceed in word. It is easier to remain hidden at home than to keep sufficient guard upon yourself abroad. He, therefore, that seeks to reach that which is hidden and spiritual, must go with Jesus "apart from the multitude. (Mark 7:33; Luke 22:6)" No man safely goes abroad who does not love to rest at home. No one safely talks except those who loves to remain silent and at peace. No one safely rules but those who loves to be subject. No one safely commands but those who loves to obey.

3. None safely rejoices but those who have the testimony of a good conscience. The boldness of the Saints was always full of the fear of God. Nor were they less earnest and humble in themselves, because they shone forth with great virtues and grace. But the boldness of the wicked springs from pride and presumption, and at the last turns to their own confusion. Never promise yourself security in this life, no matter how good a believer or how devout you seem.

4. Often those who stand highest in the esteem of others, fall the more seriously because of their great over confidence. As a result of which, it is very profitable unto many that they should not be without inward temptation, but should be frequently assaulted, unless they be over confident, unless they be indeed lifted up into pride, or else lean too freely upon the consolations of the world. O how good a conscience should that man keep, who never sought a joy that pass away, who never became entangled with the world! O how great peace and quiet should he possess, who would cast off all vain care, and think only of healthful and divine things, and build his whole hope upon God!
5. No man is worthy of heavenly consolation but he who has diligently exercised himself in holy compunction. If you will feel compunction within your heart, enter into your room and shut out the noise of the world, as it is written, Commune with your own heart in your own room and be still.(Ps 4:5) In retirement to your room you shall find what often you will lose abroad. Retirement there, if you continue, grows sweet, but if you do not keep in it, begets weariness. If in the beginning of your conversation you dwell in it and keep it well, it shall afterwards be to you a dear friend, and a most pleasant solace.

6. In silence and quiet the devout soul goes forward and learns the hidden things of the Scriptures. There you will find a fountain of tears, wherein to wash and cleanse yourself each night, that you may grow the more dear to your Maker as you dwell the further from all worldly distraction (Ps 6). To the one who withdraws from acquaintance and friends, God with His holy angels will draw near. It is better to be unknown and pay attention to yourself than to neglect oneself and work wonders. It is commendable for a devout person to go seldom abroad, to fly from being seen, to have no desire to see others.

7. Why will you see what you may not have? “Yet the world and its enticements are passing away(1 Jn 2:17). The desires of sensuality draw you abroad, but when an hour is past, what do you bring home, but a weight upon your conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going forth brings often a sorrowful return, and a merry evening makes a sad morning. So all carnal pleasures begin pleasantly, but in the end these gnaws away and destroy. What can you see abroad which you cannot see at home? Behold the heavens and the earth, and all the elements, for out of these are all things made.

8. What can you see anywhere which can continue long under the sun? You believe perchaps that you shall be satisfied, but you will never be able to attain this pleasure. If you should see all things before you at once, what would it be but a vain vision (Eccl 1)? Lift up your eyes to God on high, and pray that your sins and negligences may be forgiven (Eccl 1:4; Ps 123:1). Leave vain things to vain men, and mind you the things which God has commanded you. Shut your door behind you, and call out to Jesus your beloved. Remain with Him in your chamber, for you shall not find elsewhere so great peace. If you had not gone forth nor listened to vain talk, you had better keep yourself in good peace. But since you are delighted sometimes to hear new things, you must therefore suffer trouble of heart.


(1) Attributed to Seneca.

Fifteenth Station: Jesus is Risen!

Shroud of Turin

The Empty Tomb. from John 20: 1-18  Click and listen while you are reading: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE





The Sudarium of Oviedo



1On the first day of the week,a Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. b 2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples returned home.

The Appearance to Mary of Magdala.* 11But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been. 13And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 14When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” 16Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 17Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.

In contemplating the accomplished Joy of this Easter Day, Good Thomas tells us to stay the course...don't waste the moments of prayerful insight you have gathered over these past six weeks.


Book 3, CHAPTER 49
Of the Desire After Eternal Life, and How Great Blessings are Promised to Those Who Strive for Such Blessings.
Jesus is speaking to us: "My child, when you feel the desire of eternal happiness to be poured into you from above, and long to depart from the
tabernacle of this body, that you may contemplate My glory without shadow of turning, enlarge your heart, and take in this holy inspiration with all your desire. Give most hearty thanks to the Supreme Goodness, who deals with you so graciously, visits you so lovingly, stirs you up so fervently, raises you so powerfully, lest you sink down through your own weight, to earthly things. For not by your own meditating or striving do you receive this gift, but by the sole gracious condescension of Supreme Grace and Divine regard; to the end that you may make progress in virtue and in more humility, and prepare yourself for future conflicts, and cleave unto Me with all the affection of your heart, and strive to serve Me with fervent will."

Next week we will return to the chapter progression in book 1.

Until then, Happy Easter and than you for praying along with me...

Be imitators of Christ.

tim

Eighth Station (Scriptural) : Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross

Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross
This is the Fifth Station in the Traditional Stations.


"They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross."
(Mark 15: 21)

Our friend, Thomas a'Kempis, has some reflection here.  If you have time, read, pray and meditate on the full chapter.

How are you carrying your cross?  And are you uniting your sufferings (Col 1:24) with His?

Book 2, CHAPTER 11

Of the Fewness of those who Love the Cross of Jesus

Jesus has many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He has many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation. He finds many companions of His table, but few of His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to undergo anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat of His bread, but few that they may drink of the cup of His Passion. Many are astonished at His Miracles, few follow after the shame of His Cross. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities happen to them. Many praise Him and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hides Himself and withdraws from them a little while, they fall either into complaining or into too great dejection of mind.

Until next time, thanks for praying along with me.
Be imitators of Christ...and help Him carry His Cross.  And He will help you with yours.
tim

The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother

The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Mother

Recall this passage from ( Luke 2:33-35)


Simeon

 "And His father and mother were marveling at the things spoken concerning Him. And Simeon Blessed them and said to Mary, His Mother: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted."

And turning to Mary he said: "and you, a sword will pierce your heart. That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."



Seven Sorrows of Mary

 Mary was at every significant event in the Life of Jesus. And while Scripture does not record her being on the route to Calvary, it does record her there AT the foot of the Cross  ( John 19:25-27)

Thomas a'Kempis raises Mary up as a model disciple.  She is the template of the devoted follower of Christ:
Book 4, CHAPTER 17
Of Fervent Love and Vehement Desire of Receiving Christ

The Voice of the Disciple

With the deepest devotion and fervent love, with all affection and fervour of heart, I long to receive Thee, O Lord, even as many Saints and devout persons have desired Thee in communicating, who were altogether well pleasing to You by their sanctity of life, and dwelt in all ardent devotion. O my God, Eternal Love, my whole Good, Happiness without measure, I long to receive You with the most vehement desire and becoming reverence which any Saint ever had or could have.

2. And although I be unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion, yet do I offer You the whole affection of my heart, even as though I alone had all those most grateful inflamed desires. Yea, also, whatsoever things a pious mind is able to conceive and long for, all these with the deepest veneration and inward fervour do I offer and present unto You.  I desire to reserve nothing unto myself, but freely and entirely to offer myself and all that I have unto You for a sacrifice. O Lord my God, my Creator and Redeemer! with such affection, reverence, praise, and honour, with such gratitude, worthiness, and love, with such faith, hope, and purity do I desire to receive Thee this day, as Thy most blessed Mother, the glorious Virgin Mary, received and desired Thee, when she humbly and devoutly answered the Angel who brought unto her the glad tidings of the mystery of the Incarnation.  "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Lk 1:38)."....
4. Receive my prayers, O Lord my God, and my desires of giving You infinite praise and unbounded benediction, which, according to the multitude of Your unspeakable greatness, are most justly due unto You. I give these to You, and desire to give every day and every moment; and with pleadings and affectionate
desires I call upon all celestial spirits and all Your faithful people to join with me in rendering You thanks and praise....

Until next time.

Thanks for praying along with me.
tim