Compare and Contrast the Following

Thomas a'Kempis is very good at giving us alternatives and comparisons.  In the middle of this chapter on Judgment, he makes a basic statement on sin and the bleakness of its punishment, and then offers a series of comparisons between the saved and the damned. He lifts up the humble and suffering of this world and offers a picture of them coming into glory.  It's almost an expanded version of the comparisons laid out in the Beatitudes (Matt 5).  This also reminds me of a recent reading from Joshua 24:14-15, where Joshua makes a list of the history of the Israelites and how God had been present to them  and saved them.  And from time to time how the Israelites strayed from Him:

“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15o If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

In the same way, Thomas is telling us to cast out our sins now and serve The Lord.

Book 1, Chapter 24, Continued:

4. Each sin has its own torments:  The proud shall be filled with utter confusion. The covetous shall be pinched with miserable poverty. An hour's pain there shall be more sharp than a hundred years here of the most rigorous penitence here.

While in this present life there sometimes is relief from pain, and encouragement of the solace of friends, in that place there shall be no quiet and no comfort for the lost.

Therefore, be anxious now and sorrowful for your sins, that in the day of judgment you may be bold with the saints:

• “For then shall the righteous stand in great boldness before the face of those who have afflicted you and made no account of your labors (Wis. 5:1).”

• Then shall you stand up to judge, he who now submits himself in humility to the judgments of men.

• Then shall the poor and humble have great confidence, while the proud is taken with fear on every side.

5. Then shall it be seen that it was the wise in this world who learned for Christ’s sake to be foolish and despised.

• Then shall all tribulation patiently borne delight us, while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped (Ps 107:42).

• Then shall godly rejoice, and the profane mourn.

• Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it had been always nourished in delights.

• Then the humble garment shall put on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as vile.

• Then shall the poor cottage shall be more commended than the gilded palace.

• Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of theworld.

• Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom.

Next time, Thomas will continue this comparison and draw some conclusions about our behavior.

Until then, thanks for praying along with me.  Be imitators of Christ!
tim

Judgment: Standing Alone - Clinging to The Cross



From "The Passion of The Christ"

 What does it mean to be judged after our death?
What can we hide behind?  Nothing.  Except the Cross of Christ.
In this chapter, Thomas naturally follows his meditation on death by warning us that "Now is the acceptable time for salvation." After death it is too late.  

We strut about thinking we can handle anything that comes along, but Thomas reminds us that when we encounter someone with a forceful personality, who is also angry, we wilt.  And when we compare this meager shadow to standing in front of the Lord, all Thomas can say is that we should work on our sins now so that there is little to nothing to be judged by Him.

Thomas then starts comparing the righteous with the unrighteous, giving examples of a prayerful believer and cautioning against excessive self love.  After this example of piety, Thomas gives us a preview of our punishment by explaining that whatever our favorite sins may be, so shall our punishment be meted out.

CHAPTER 24, Book 1:  Of the Last Judgment and the Punishment for Sins

In all things, remember the end, and how you will stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hidden, who is not bribed neither with gifts, nor will He accept excuses, but will judge with righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who are sometimes afraid to face an angry man, what will you answer to God, who knows all your misdeeds? Why do you not provide for yourself against the day of judgment, when no man shall be able to be excused or defended by means of another, but each one shall bear the burden alone? Now does your labor bring forth fruit, now is your weeping acceptable, your groaning heard, your sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to your soul (2 Cor 6:2).
 

Punshment for Drug Abuse:
More Drugs
More Addiction

2. Even here on earth the patient find great opportunities for purifying the soul. When suffering injuries, grieve more for the other's malice than for your own wrong; pray intensely for those that despitefully use you, and forgive those from your heart, especially when you are not slow to ask pardon from those you’ve offended: when you are quicker to pity than to anger; when you frequently deny yourself and strive altogether to subdue your flesh to the spirit. It is better to purify the soul from sin now, than to cling to sins from which we must be purged in the hereafter. We truly deceive ourselves by the excessive self-love: our fleshly lives.

3. What will that fire shall devour, except for your sins?  The more you spare yourself and follow the flesh, the more severe shall your punishment be, and the more fuel are you heaping up for the burning.  For where you have sinned, there shall be the more heavily punishment.  There shall the slothful be pricked forward with burning goads, and the gluttons be tormented with intolerable hunger and thirst.  There shall the luxurious and the lovers of pleasure be plunged into burning pitch and stinking brimstone, and the envious shall howl like mad dogs for very grief.

Next time we will explore more of this chapter, with Thomas' litany of comparisons between the just and the unjust.

Until then, thanks for praying along with me.
Be imitators of Christ!
tim

Strike the Tent!

Thomas a'Kempis finishes his meditation on death and dying by calling us to discipline ourselves in a way that causes no regrets.  His call is for disentanglement from our materialism and other worldly attachments....so we are ready for death, no matter how it comes to us.  This is something Blessed Pope John Paul (the Great) called us to regularly during his ministry.

After a short chastisement on our foolish and childish and unreasonable expectations that nothing ill will befall us, Thomas provides a short list of the daily obituaries, telling the various and mostly unexpected ways in which people die suddenly.

Because of this, Good Thomas then calls us into imitating the way of the saints (who are Imitators of Christ), since we cannot be sure who will intercede for us after we are gone. We must prepare our own way.

Ending with a prayer, Thomas tells us that it's ok to mourn our own passing so long as we don't try to hang on - we need to stay free and lifted up so when God calls us home, we will gladly leave this mortal coil.


Gen. Lee


"Strike the Tent" (Purported last words of General Robert E. Lee).

Book 1, Chapter 23, Paragraphs 6-9.
6. Oh, my dearly beloved, if only you would live in apprehension and in expectation of death – you would free yourself from danger and great fear! Strive now to live in such a way that in the hour of death you may rejoice rather than fear. Learn now to die to the world, so you can begin to live with Christ (Rom 6:8). Learn now to condemn all worldly things; then you may freely go to Christ. Keep your body disciplined by penitence, and then you shall be able to have a sure confidence (1 Cor 9:27).

7. Ah, fool! why do you think that you shall live long, when you are not even sure of a single day (Lk 12:20)? How many have been fooled, and suddenly have been snatched away! How many times have you heard how this one was slain by the sword, another was drowned, another falling from on high broke his neck, another died at the table, another while at play! One died by fire, another by the sword, another by pestilence, another by a robber. Thus comes death to all, and life swiftly passes away like a shadow (Eccs 7:1).

Who will light a
Candle for you?

8. Who will remember you after your death? And who will intercede for you? Work, work now, oh dearly beloved, work all that you can. For you do not know when you shall die, nor what shall happen to you after death. While you have time, lay up for yourself eternal riches (Matt 6:20-21). Think of nothing but your salvation; care only for the things of God. Make heavenly friends by venerating the saints of God and walking in their steps, that when you fail, you may be received into everlasting life (Lk 16:9).

Vatican City

9. Keep yourself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to whom the things of the world do not belong (Ex 2:22). Keep your heart free and lifted up towards God, for here we do not have a lasting abode (Heb 13:14). Send to Him your daily prayers with sighs and tears, that after death your spirit may be found worthy to pass happily unto our Lord. Amen.

Until next time, when we will open chapter 24 on Judgment, thanks for reading and praying along with me.

Be imitators of Christ!
tim

Transformed Eternally: Putting Off Procrastination

In paragraph 5 of Chapter 23's meditation on death, Good Thomas admonishes us to act immediately toward our eternal benefit. 

We should neither wait to do good works nor "get right" with God.  And relying on our friends and relatives is not a good idea.  Rather, looking to the Sacraments and aiding those less fortunate will go a long way toward an end with no regrets.




Procrastination
 Solution

 5. Do not rely on your friends and relatives, nor put off the work of your salvation to sometime in the future, for these people will forget you sooner than you think.

It is better for you now to provide in time, and to send some good ahead of you, than to trust to the help of others. If you art not anxious for yourself now, who, you may ask, will be anxious for you after you are gone?

The present time is very precious. "Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2)."

But alas! that you waste this time, when you might lay up treasure which would profit you forever.


The hour will come when you shall desire one day, yes, one hour, for the amendment of your life, and I do not know whether you will obtain this time.

Have a listen to this great song by Casting Crowns as you wrap up your meditation today.

Tomorrow may be too late.  Do it now.

Until next time, thanks for reading and praying along with me.
Be imitators of Christ!
tim