Each sin has its own torment. The solution is Christ's work.

Book 1, Chapter 24....continued:  Each sin has its own torment. The solution is Christ's work.

As Thomas discusses the Judgment, he indicates what he foresees to be the apt result of unconfessed, unrepentant sin.

He accordingly encourages us to boldly confess our sins and overcome these through repentance, self discipline, and an active prayer life.

Thomas realizes that this is not easy, and requires us to think differently and put up with the inconveniences and discomforts that accompany a life of devotion.  He tells us that the reward cannot be measured by this world's standards, but attempts to juxtapose the right path with that of the worldly.

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 sometimes there is short relief from pain, and enjoyment 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 (Wisd. 5:1).”

• Then shall you stand up to judge those who now submit in humility to the judgments of others.

• Then shall the poor and humble have great confidence, while the proud are overcome 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 which was borne patiently, delight us, while the mouths of the ungodly shall be stopped (Ps 107:42).

• Then shall the 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 as if it were vile.

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

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

• Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom.
6. Then a pure and good conscience shall more rejoice than learned philosophy.

• Then will the disregard of wealth shall have more weight than all the treasure of the children of this world.

• Then shall you find more comfort in having prayed devoutly than in
having eaten sumptuously.

• Then you will rejoice more in having kept silent than in having made long speeches.

• Then holy deeds shall be far stronger than many fine words (Jas 1:21-22).

• Then a disciplined life and sincere penitence shall bring deeper pleasure than the delights of this world.

• Therefore, learn now to suffer a little, so that later you may be able to escape more grievous suffering. Try first here, what you are unable to endure hereafter (Col 1:24).

• If now you can bear so little, how then will you be able to endure eternal torments? If now a little suffering makes you so impatient, what shall hellfire do then?

• Surely you are not able to have both joys: taking your fill here in this world, and also reigning with Christ hereafter.

Thomas concludes that we cannot have it both ways:  We cannot forsake holiness here and expect that our judgment will be easy.  We cannot "fake it" by joining a club - we have to pray much, love much, live out the Gospel of Life!

In short, we have to imitate Christ!  Until next time, thank you for reading and praying along with me.

tim

Is eating all this spinach worth it?

At the end of Book 1, Thomas tells us that all this work is for nothing unless we change how we approach every aspect of our life.  Our spiritual laziness (sloth) has to be whipped into shape.  We have to be watchful, like a sentry, so we can make progress on our journey.  We already have the answers to our weaknesses:  Behave otherwise: "Do now what you would do then, and you shall be very secure!"  This reminded me of Popeye the Sailor, who would wimper, knowing that if he ate his spinach, he could face down most anything! We need to face our fears, be these real or imagined. Thomas tells us to work on our hardest sins first, then work for the good which we want the most.  And one more thing: we need to then pursue behavior which lessens the faults we most dislike in others.

CHAPTER 25

Of the Fervent Amendment of Our Whole Life

Be watchful and diligent in God's service, and think often why you have renounced the world. Was it because you might live for God and become spiritual? Be zealous, therefore, for your spiritual profit, for you shall shortly receive the reward of your labors, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come any more into your borders. Of course you will labor a little more now, and later you shall find great rest, yes, even everlasting joy. If you remain faithful and fervent in working, God shall be faithful and bountiful in rewarding you. You must remain in good hope that you will attain the victory, but you must not think of yourself as secure, lest you grow negligent or presumptive.

2. When one is in anxiety of mind, continually wavering about between hope and fear, and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief, casts himself down in prayer before the altar in a church, and meditates, saying, "Oh! If I but knew that I should still persevere," and presently heard from within a voice from God, "And if you did know it, what would you do? Do now what you would do then, and you shall be very secure." And immediately being comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to the will of God and the anxious wavering of spirit ceased, neither had he a mind any more to search curiously to know what should befall him hereafter; but studied rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will of God, “well pleasing and perfect,” (Rm 12:2)for the beginning and perfecting of every good work.

Paratrooper getting
ready to jump

3. “Trust in the Lord and be doing good,” says the Prophet; “and dwell in the land and you shall be fed with its riches.” (Ps 37:3). There is one thing which holds back many from progress and fervent amendment: and that is the dread of difficulty, or the labor of the conflict. Nevertheless they advance above all others in virtue who strive bravely to conquer those things which are most troublesome and contrary to them, for there a man profits most and merits greater grace where he most overcome and mortify himself in spirit.

4. But we all do have not the same passions to conquer and to mortify, yet those who are diligent shall attain more progress, even though one may have stronger passions than another who is more temperate but less fervent in the pursuit of virtue.



Paratrooper
Jumping

Two things particularly bring about improvement in holiness, namely the ability to firmly withdraw ourselves from the sin to which by nature we are most inclined, and earnestly to work for that good which one wants most.
And strive also to guard against and subdue those faults which displease you most frequently in others.

Next time, Thomas will give us some solid examples of this spiritual living that takes us to the next level.  Until then, thank you for praying with me and imitating Christ!  tim p.s. please pray for those fellow travelers with cancer.  I'm seeing it more and more.  Thank you!