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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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).”