How Does The Truth Speak To Us Without The Noise of Words?

http://www.timothyedmoore.com/1/post/2013/12/how-does-the-truth-speak-to-us-without-the-noise-of-words.html

What Will the Third Book of The Imitation of Christ Teach Me?

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http://www.timothyedmoore.com/1/post/2013/12/what-will-the-third-book-of-the-imitation-of-christ-teach-me.html

Isn't There Another Way?

There is One Way. One Truth. One Life. Thomas a'Kempis walks us through The Way of The Cross in his final chapter of the Second Book of The Imitation of Christ.

http://www.timothyedmoore.com/1/post/2013/11/isnt-there-some-other-way.html

Master, Where Are You Going?

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The Many and The Few, Which are You

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Imitation of Christ Blog Moving to a New Location

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Thanks for reading and praying along with me!

Can Too Much Comfort Leave Us Spiritually Confused?

CHAPTER IX

Of The Want of All Consolation

In this chapter, good Thomas takes us out of our comfort zone by explaining how we love comfort, consolation, softness and the easy route.  And while there is nothing intrinsically wrong with such comfort, that it is no comparison to divine comfort.  And that, along the spiritual walk, we will encounter a great deal of discomfort, uneasiness, and challenges of all sorts in body, mind and spirit.

With Divine comfort, Thomas reminds us: "You ride at ease when you are carried by the grace of God."  That God's Grace makes everything bearable.  Thomas gives us two examples in St. Lawrence and St. Sixtus...worth a quick read.  How these men dealt with the challenges to their faith and ultimately died for the faith is a remarkable story of self sacrifice.

With such examples, Thomas again tells us to over come our own self so we can grow closer to Christ.  And when that takes place, he tells us, expect a "dry period" and much temptation.  But prayer and reliance will see you through this tough time.

Thomas ends this chapter by warning us that in spiritual warfare, the devil does not sleep,  And because you are alive, your flesh is subject to temptation.  And therefore, you must continually ready yourself for this battle.

Until next time, thank you for reading and praying along with me.
Be imitators of Christ!
tim
It is not hard to despise human comfort when we have divine comfort. But it is a great thing, yes, very great, to be able to bear the loss both of human and divine comfort; and for the love of God be willing to bear the exile of your heart, and to seek yourself in nothing, nor to look to your own merits.

What great matter is it, if you are cheerful of heart and devout when grace comes to you? That is an hour wherein all rejoice. You ride at ease when you are carried by the grace of God.
And what wonder is it if you feel no burdens when you are carried by the Almighty, and led onwards by the Guide from on high?

2. We are willing to accept anything for comfort, and it is difficult for us to be freed from our self. The Martyr, St. Lawrence overcame the love of the world with guidance from his Prelate, because Laurence rejected everything in the world which seemed to be pleasant; and for the love of Christ he calmly suffered even God's chief priest, Sixtus, whom he dearly loved, to be taken from him.

Thus by the love of the Creator he overcame the love of humans, and instead of human comfort Lawrence chose God's good pleasure instead.

You also need to learn to resign close and beloved friends for the love of God. When you have been deserted by a friend, do not take it to heart, knowing that we must all be parted from one another in the end.
3. You must go through a long and great conflict in yourself before you can learn fully to overcome yourself, and to draw your whole affection towards God. When you rely upon yourself, you easily slip away into human comforts. But a true lover of Christ, and a diligent seeker after virtue, does not fall back upon those comforts, nor seek such sweetness as may be tasted and handled, but desires rather difficult exercises, and to undertake severe labors for Christ.

Therefore, when God gives spiritual comfort, receive it with thanksgiving, but know that it is the gift of God, not by your merit.

4. Do not be lifted up, or rejoice too soon, nor foolishly presume, but rather be more humble for the gift, more wary and more careful in all your doings; for this hour will pass away, and temptation will follow.

When comfort is taken from you, do not immediately despair, but wait for the heavenly visitation with humility and patience, for God is able to restore to you greater favor and consolation (Joel 2:25). This is neither new nor strange to those who have experienced the ways of God, for with the great saints and the ancient prophets there was often this manner of change.

5. Hence one said when the favor of God was present with him, “In my abundance I shall never be moved,”(Ps 30:6) but he goes on to say what he felt within himself when the favor departed: “You turned Your face from me, and I was troubled.(Ps 30:8)”
In spite of this, the disciple in no way despairs, but more earnestly entreats God, and says, “Unto You, O Lord, will I cry, and will pray unto my God. (Ps 30:9);”

At length the disciple receives the fruit of his prayer, and testifies how he has been heard, saying, “The Lord heard me and had mercy upon me, the Lord was my helper. (Ps 30:11)”
But where and in what manner? “You have turned my heaviness into joy, You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness (Ps 30:12).” If it was this way with the great saints, we who are poor and needy ought not to despair if we are sometimes in the warmth and sometimes in the cold, for the Spirit comes and goes according to the good pleasure of His will (Jn 3:8)). Wherefore holy Job says, “You observe your servant in the morning, and suddenly You do prove him.”( Job 7:18)

6. At what point then can I hope, or wherein may I trust, save only in the great mercy of God, and the hope of heavenly grace? For whether the good are with me, as godly, faithful friends, whether holy books or beautiful discourses, whether sweet hymns and songs, all these help but little, and have but little savor when I am deserted by God's favor and left to mine own poverty. There is no better remedy, then, than patience and denial of self, and an abiding in the will of God.

7. I have never found anyone so devout and godly that did not at times feel a withdrawal of divine favor, or feel a lack of fervor. No saint was ever so filled with rapture, so enlightened, who did not sooner or later suffer temptation. For such a person is not worthy of the great vision of God, who, for God's sake, has not been exercised by some temptation. For temptation tends to precede such as a sign of the comfort which shall follow, and heavenly comfort is promised to those who are proved by temptation. As it is written, “To him that overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life (Rev 2:7).”

8. Divine consolation is given that you may be stronger in bearing adversities. And temptation follows this, as a means of subduing your pride.

The devil does not sleep; your flesh is not yet dead; therefore, continually ready yourself  for this battle, for enemies stand on your right hand and on your left, and they are never at rest.

May I Introduce You to My Friend?

Of The Imitation of Christ

Book 2, CHAPTER VIII

Of The Intimate Friendship of Jesus

Comment:  Thomas takes us into an intimate friendship with Jesus by reminding us of the goodness that attaches to His friendship:  Peace, Consolation, Purity, Joy, Holy Conversation through prayer. And for this Friend, we will even endure discomfort for His sake.  But we know it will be worth the sacrifice,   "for after winter comes summer, after night the day returns, after a storm there follows a great calm."

Who can you be Christ to this week?  Who can you befriend on behalf of our Lord?

Thanks for reading and praying through this with me.
Until next time, be imitators of Christ!
tim

When Jesus is present all is well and nothing seems difficult, but when Jesus is not present

everything is difficult. When Jesus does not speak to us within, our comfort is worthless; but if Jesus speaks only one word of comfort, we feel great consolation.

Did not Mary Magdalene immediately arise from the place where she wept when Martha said to her, “The Master is here and calls for you (Jn 11:28)?”   Happy is the hour when Jesus calls you from tears to the joy of the spirit!
How dry and hard-hearted you are without Jesus! How foolish and vain you are when you desire anything else beyond Jesus! Is  this not a greater loss than if you were to lose the whole world (Lk 9:25)?

2. What can the world profit you without Jesus? To be without Jesus is an extreme hell, and to be with Jesus is sweet paradise. If Jesus were with you no enemy could hurt you. Whoever finds Jesus finds a good treasure, yes, good above all good; and whoever loses Jesus loses much, yes, more than the whole world. Whoever lives without Jesus is in poverty, and whoever abides with Jesus is among the rich.

3. It is great art to know how to converse with Jesus, and to know how to keep Jesus close is great wisdom. Be humble and peaceful and Jesus shall be with you. Be godly and quiet, and Jesus will remain with you.

You can quickly drive away Jesus and lose His grace if you turn towards outward things. And if you have put Him to flight and lost Him, to whom will you flee, and whom then will you seek for a friend? Without such a friend you cannot live long, and if Jesus is not your friend above all you shall be very sad and desolate.
You act foolishly, therefore, if you trust or find joy in any other. We should wish to have the entire world against us, rather than to have Jesus offended. Therefore of all that are dear to you, let Jesus be especially beloved.

4. Let all things be loved for Jesus' sake, but Jesus for His own sake. Jesus Christ alone is to be specially loved, for He alone is found good and faithful above all friends. For His sake, and in Him, let both enemies and friends be dear to you, and pray for them all that they may all know and love Him.

Never desire to be especially praised or loved, because this belongs to God alone, Who has none like to Himself.  Neither desire that any one’s heart should be set on you, nor give yourself up to the love of anyone else, but let Jesus be in you and in every devoted disciple.



Forgiven, by Thomas Blackshear

 5. Be pure and free within yourself, without being entangled by creatures. You ought to bring a bare and clean heart to God, if you desire to be ready to see how gracious is the Lord (Ps 34:9).

And in truth, unless you be prevented and drawn on by His grace, you will not attain to this, that having cast out and dismissed all else, you alone are united to God.  For when the grace of God comes to a disciple, then that disciple becomes able to do all things, and when it departs then the disciple will be poor and weak and given up unto troubles.

In all these things you are not to be dejected nor despair; but to rest with calm mind on the will of God, and to bear all things which come upon you for the glory of Jesus Christ; for after winter comes summer, after night the day returns, after a storm there follows a great calm.

Where Am I? On Finding Jesus

Book 2, CHAPTER VII:

Of The Love of Jesus above All Things

Comment:  Thomas a'Kempis lays out this simple concept - if you seek to "find yourself" you are more hurtful to yourself than if the whole world and all your adversaries lined up against you.  Rather, he tells us, if you put an intional effort into seeking the love of Jesus, you won't need to look any further,

Until next time, be imitators of Christ!

tim

"Blessed is the disciple who understands what it is to love Jesus, and to disregard all self concern 

for1 Tim 6:10)  Jesus' sake. The disciple must give up all treasured things for The Beloved, for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of created things is deceiving and unstable, but the love of Jesus is faithful and lasting.

Whoever cleaves to created things will fall with their slipperiness; but the disciple who embraces Jesus will stand upright forever.  Love Jesus and hold Him for your friend, for He will not forsake you when all depart from you, nor will Jesus suffer you to perish at the last (Heb 13:5). You must one day be separated from all, whether you will it or not.

2. In life and in death, keep yourself near to Jesus and commit yourself unto His fidelity, Who, when all others fail you, is alone able to help you. Your Beloved is such, by nature, that He will not permit a rival, but He alone will possess your heart, and as a King will sit upon His own throne.

If you would learn to empty your heart of every created thing, Jesus would freely take up His abode with you. You will find all trust placed in mankind corrupted: But not so with our Lord Jesus. Do not trust not nor lean upon a reed shaken with the wind, because “all flesh is grass, and their glory falls like the flower of the field (Is 40:6).

3. If you look only upon the outward appearance of men, you will be quickly deceived, for if you seek your comfort and profit in others, you shall too often experience loss. If you seek Jesus in all things you shall truly find Jesus, but if you seek yourself you shall also find yourself, but to your own detriment. For if you do not seek Jesus you are more hurtful to yourself than all the world and all your adversaries."

You Are What You Are, and You Aint What You Aint



Hyacinth Bucket:  Keeping up
 Appearances



Thomas finishes Chapter 6 with a reminder:  You are what you are, and you aint what you aint (there's a great John Prine song there, have a listen...."Dear Abby")!  In other words, as your conscience is pure, you are at peace.  And you can't be more than what the Lord has gifted you to be - and it's okay to be content with that station in life and in skill.  Keeping up appearances is vain and a waste of time.  Just ask Mrs. Bucket (pronounced boo-kay).

God asks us to walk with Him.  What else matters?

Until next time, be imitators of Christ! (not Mrs. Bucket!)

3. A disciple will easily be contented and filled with peace, whose conscience is pure. You are none the holier if you are praised, nor the worse if you are reproached.  You are what you are; and you cannot be better than God pronounces you to be.

If you consider well what you are inwardly, you will not care what others will say to you. Men look to the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Sam 16:7). Man considers on the action, but God considers the intention.

It is the token of an humble spirit always to do well, and to set little account by one’s self. To refuse comfort from any created thing is a sign of great purity and inward faithfulness.

4. The disciple that seeks no outward witness, shows plainly that commitment wholly to God. “For not he that commends himself is approved,” as St. Paul says, “but whom the Lord commends.”(2 Cor. 10:18)  To walk with God, and not to be held by any outer affections, is the state of a disciple of Christ (Mi. 6:8).

The Joy of a Good Conscience

Book 2, CHAPTER VI; The Joy of a Good Conscience

Good Thomas a'Kempis was reportedly a joyful man - because he was a man of good conscience.  Today, 600 years later, his truisms and insight into our walk with Christ resonate deeply.  Thomas tells us to rejoice in our good works...which is quite different from bragging.  But rather this rejoicing in doing good for the love of one another, brings peace.  Indeed, the only thing we SHOULD glory in is the Cross of Christ.  More on that next post.

Until then, be Imitators of Christ!
tim

The glory of a good conscience is the testimony of a good man (2 Cor 1:12).  Keep a good

conscience and you shall always have joy.

A good conscience is able to bear very much, and is very joyful in the midst of adversity. An evil conscience is always fearful and disquieted. You shall rest sweetly if your heart does not condemn you (Prov 3:24).

Never rejoice unless when you have done well. The wicked have never true joy, nor feel internal peace, for “there is no peace, says my God, to the wicked(Is 48:22).

And if they say "we are in peace, there shall be no harm that happens to us, and who shall dare to hurt us?" Do not believe them, for the wrath of God shall suddenly rise up against them, and their deeds shall be brought to nothing, and their projects shall perish.

2. To glory in tribulation is not hard to him that loves; for such glorying is glorying in the Cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14). That glory is short-lived which is given and received of men. The glory of the world is always accompanied by sadness and great sorrow. The glory of the good is in their conscience, and not in the mouths of others. The joy of the upright is from God and in God, and their joy is in the truth (1 Cor. 13:6).

Whoever desires true and eternal glory does not care for that which is temporal; and whoever seeks such worldly glory, or does not reject it from the heart, is proved to bear little love for that which is heavenly. The disciple who cares for neither praises nor reproaches has great tranquility of heart.

The Fourteenth Station: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

The Fourteenth Station:

Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.



The Shroud of Turin



Reflection:

Joseph or Aramathea took the body of Jesus, and wrapping it in a clean linen cloth he laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out of rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and departed (Mt. 27:59-60).

Meditation:

I will praise You, O Lord, for You drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me
O Lord, my God, I cried out to You and You healed me.
O Lord, You brought me up from the lower world;
You preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
Sing praise to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and give thanks to His Holy Name.
For His anger lasts but a moment; His good will is for a lifetime.
At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with dawn comes rejoicing. (Ps. 30:2-6)

Pray:
Almighty and eternal God, on the edge of sadness when all seemed lost, You restored to us
the Savior we thought defeated and conquered. Help us, we beg You, so to empty ourselves of self
concern that we might see Your hand in every failure and Your victory in every defeat. These things
we ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns forever with You in the unity of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sing: (in preparation for the Fourteenth Station).
Jesus, Risen, be our lover
In your Food and in our brother.
Lead us home to heaven with You.

The Thirteenth Station: The Body of Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross

The Thirteenth Station:

 The Body of Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Pieta' at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Springfield, IL

Reflection:
When the soldiers came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead so chat they did not break His
legs, but one of them opened His side with a lance, and immediately there came out blood and water.
Joseph of Aramathea, because he was a disciple of Jesus (although a secret one for fear of the Jews),
besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave permission. (Jn. 19:33-34 and 38a.)

Meditation:

O My people. I will open your graves and have you rise from them,

And I will bring you back to your land.

Then you shall know that I am the Lord!

O My people! I will put My spirit in you that you may live.

You shall know then that I am the Lord.

I have promised it,

And I will do it, says the Lord. (Ezek. 37:12-14)

Pray:
Beloved Savior, You returned to the Father all that He had given You, so that He might
restore all to You a hundredfold in the glorious resurrection. Help us, we beg You, to give generously of ourselves in all that we do for You so that like You we might be made perfect in a new resurrection. Amen.

Sing: (in preparation for the Fourteenth Station).
Sing: Jesus, Lord, Your gift accepted,
In three days You resurrected.
You did first what we shall do.

The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies On The Cross

The Twelfth Station:

Jesus Dies On The Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
And the sun was darkened, and the curtain of the temple was torn in the middle. Jesus cried out with
a loud voice and said, "It is finished. Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.' Then, bowing
His head, he died. (Lk. 23:44-46, Jn 19:30b)

Meditation:
My people, what have I done to you ?
Or in what way have I offended you?
Answer me.
What more should I have done, and did not do?
I led you out of the land of Egypt, and you prepared a cross for Me.
I opened the Red Sea before you and you opened My side with a lance.
I gave You a royal sceptre, and You have given me a crown of thorns.
With great power I lifted you up, and you have hung Me upon a cross.
My people, what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you>
Answer me. (from the Reproaches of Good Friday)

Pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen (stand)

Sing: (in preparation for the Thirteenth Station).

Stunned and stricken. Mary, Mother in your arms was placed our Brother,

Full of grace" now filled with grief.



The Eleventh Station:

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:
When they came to Golgotha, the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus and the robbers, one on
His right and the other on His left. And Jesus said, “ Father, forgive them, for they do not know what
they are doing.” (Lk. 23:33-34; Jn. 19:18)
Meditation:
My God. My God, why have You forsaken Me,

Far from my prayer, far from the words of my cry?
O my God, I cry out by day, and You answer not;
I cry out by night, and there is no relief for Me.
All my bones are racked.
My heart has become like wax melting away within My chest.
My throat is dried up like baked clay, My tongue cleaves to My jaws;
They have pierced My hands and My feet;
I can count all My bones. (Ps. 22: 2-3, 15-16, 17b)
Pray:
Let us pray. Lord and Savior, You have told us that we too must accept crucifixion if we are to accept resurrection with You. Help us to rejoicein the sufferings that come with the fulfillment of our daily duties, seeing in them the royal road of the cross to the resurrection.
Amen.

Sing (in preparation for the Twelfth Station):
Life eternal, death defiant,
Bowed his head — the world was silent,
Through His death came life anew.



The Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Clothes

The Tenth Station:

 Jesus is Stripped of His Clothes

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:
They gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with sail but when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then
after they had crucified him, they divided His clothes, casting lots, to fulfill what was spoken
through the prophet, "They divided my clothes among them, and upon my garments they cast lots "
(Mt. 27:34-35)
Meditation:
Happy is the man whom God chastises!
Do not reject the punishment of the Almighty.
For He wounds, but He binds up; He smites, but His hands give healing.
Insult has broken My heart, and I am weak;
I looked for comforters, and I found none.
Rather they put gall in My food, and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink (Job 5:17-18; Ps. 69:21-22).
Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, stripped of everything, You stood exposed to the jeers and contempt of the people whom You loved. Clothe us with genuine love of others, so that nothing we suffer may ever fill our hearts with hatred or bitterness.
Amen.
Sing (in preparation for the Eleventh Station):
Pierced the hands that blessed and cured us,
Pierced the feet that walked to free us,
Walked the hill of Calvary.

The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls a Third Time

The Ninth Station:

Jesus Falls a Third Time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:
I lie prostrate in the dust; give Me life according to Your word. I declared My ways, and You answered Me; teach Me your commands. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will mediate on Your wondrous deeds. My soul weeps for sorrow; strengthen Me with Your words (Ps. 119:25- 28).

Meditation:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life's refuge,
Of whom should I be afraid?
When evildoers come at Me to devour My flesh.
My foes and My enemies themselves stumble and fall .
Though an army encamp against Me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon Me, even then will I trust. (Ps. 27:I- 3)

Pray.
Almighty and eternal God, You permitted your Son to be weakened, crushed, and profaned so that He might rise from the dead freed from ravages of sin. Help us to accept weaknesses and failings as forerunners of our glorious resurrection in union with your Son.
Amen.



Sing (in preparation for the Tenth Station):
Stripped and jeered by his own nation,
Jesus stood m desolation,
Giving all He bad to give.

The Eighth Station

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:
There was following Jesus a great crowd of people, and among them were some women who were be-
wailing and lamenting Him. Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me,
but weep for yourselves and for your children (Luke 23:27-28)."
Meditation:
Come, all you who pass by the way,
Look and see whether there is any suffering like My suffering,
Suffering with which the Lord has afflicted Me on the day of his blazing wrath.
At this I weep, My eyes run with tears:
Far from Me are all who could console Me,
Far away are any who might revive Me (Lam. 1:12-16).

Pray:
Beloved Jesus, with tears of pity these women of Jerusalem responded to You, broken, bruised, and beaten, on the road to Calvary. Deepen our faith, we beg Vow. so that we may see You in our brothers and sisters, bruised by our envy, beaten down by injustice, and broken by our greed and our indifference. Amen.

Sing (in preparation for the Ninth Station):
Jesus fell again in weakness,
Stumbling as we do, to lead us,
Through our sorrow and our pain.



The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time

The Seventh Station

Jesus Falls the Second Time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:

It was our weaknesses that He carried, our sufferings that He endured, while we thought of Him as
stricken, as One struck by God and afflicted. But He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins*
upon Him was the punishment that makes us whole, by His stripes we were healed. We had all gone
astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon Him the guilt of us all. (Is.53:4-6)

Meditation:
Though he was harshly treated,
He submitted and opened not his mouth;
Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers,
He was silent and uttered no cry.
When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people,
A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers,
Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. (Is. 53:7,9)

Pray:
You shared in our weaknesses and accepted our guilt. Grant us the favor of rejoicing over our human weaknesses, so that in all we do, Your strength, dwelling in us, may be shown to all others.
Amen.

Sing (in preparation for the Eighth Station):
May our sympathy for Jesus
Turn to those who here now need us,
May we see Christ bruised in them.

The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

The Sixth Station

Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:
"Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You; or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we
see You a stranger, and take You in; or naked, and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in
prison, and come to You?" And answering the King will say to them, "Amen, I say to you, as long as
you did it for one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it for Me." (Mt. 25:37- 40)

Meditation:
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
He who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.
A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
For he who fears God behaves accordingly,
And his friend will be like himself. (Sir 6:14-17)

Pray:
Almighty and ever-loving God, we feel Your love and understanding in the consolation and support we

receive from one another. Give us, we beg You, the courage and dedication to sacrifice and suffer with those who are in need, the least of your people. Amen.

Sing (in preparation for the Seventh Station):
Prostrate on the dust He crumbled,
Flogged in Body He resembled
All our brothers poor and scorned

The Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross

The Fifth Station

Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:

And when they had mocked Jesus, they took the purple cloak off and put His own clothes on Him.
and they led Him out to be crucified. Then they forced a certain passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, to take up His cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha, a name meaning the place of the skull'. (Mk 15:20-22)




Meditation:
With a loud voice I cry out to the Lord,

With a loud voice I beseech the Lord.
My complaint I pour out before Him; before Him I lay bare my distress.
When my spirit is faint within me, you know my path.
In the way along which I walk they have hid a trap for me.
I look to the right to see, but there is no one who pays me heed.
I have lost all means of escape;
There is no one who cares for my life. (Ps. 141:2-5)

Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to see in the sufferings and shortcomings of our lives a share in Your Cross; strengthen and console us in the belief that we bear all things in union with You, Who have taken upon Yourself even our guilt. Amen.

Sing (in preparation for the Sixth Station):
Brave but trembling came the woman,
None but she would flaunt the Roman,
Moved by love beyond her fear.

The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

The Fourth Station

Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:

Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus, His Mother and His Mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw His Mother and the disciple standing by, whom He

loved, He said to His Mother, "Woman, behold, your Son." Then He said to the disciple, "Behold,

your Mother." And from that hour the disciple took Her into his home. (Jn 19:25-27)

(kneel and pause)

Meditation:

To what can I compare you, O daughter Jerusalem ?

What example can I show you for your comfort, virgin daughter Sion?

For great as the sea is your distress;

who can heal you? (Lam. 2:13)




Pray:

Let us pray. O blessed Lord, at your passion a sword of sorrow pierced the loving heart of your mother

as Simeon had foretold. Grant that we who look back on her sorrows with compassion might receive

the healing fruits of your sufferings .

Amen.



Sing (in preparation for the Fifth Station):
Simon stopped in hesitation,

Not foreseeing his proud station,

Called to bear the Cross of Christ.

The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

The Third Station

Jesus Falls The First Time

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)

Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own. Because you are not of this world, but I have chosen you out the world, therefore the world hates you.

Remember the word that I have spoken to you: No servant is greater than his Master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15: 18-20). (kneel and pause)



Meditation:

Why are your clothes red,

and your garments like those of the wine presser?

“The wine press I have trodden alone,

and of my people there was no one with me.

I trod them in my anger, and I trampled them down in my wrath;

their blood spurted on my garments and I stained all my clothes.

I looked about, but there was no one to help,

I was appalled that there was no one to lend support;

so my own arm brought about the victory." (Is. 63:2-5)

Pray:
O God, to free us from sin and weakness your Son, Jesus Christ, embraced His fearful passion and crucifixion. Strengthen us in our baptismal resolutions by which we renounced sin and Satan, so that through the passion of this life's sufferings we might rise to a new life of joyful service free of all selfishness. Amen.



Sing (in preparation for the Fourth Station):

Jesus met His grieving Mother,

She who made the Lord our Brother;

Now the sword her heart has pierced.

The Second Station

The Second Station

Jesus Carries His Cross

 We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. (genuflect)
 Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Reflection:



"Behold Your King!"

 And Pilate said to the Jews, "Behold, your king!" But they cried out, "Away with Him! Away with

Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?" The chief priests answered,

"We have no king but Caesar." Then he handed Him over to them to be crucified. And so they took

Jesus and led him away, bearing the cross for Himself. (John 19:14-17)


Meditation:

Who would believe what we have heard?

To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot

From the parched earth;

There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him,

No appearance that would attract us to him.

He was rejected and avoided by men,

A man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity,

One of those from whom men turn away, and we held him in no esteem. (Is. 53:1-3)

Pray:

Father in heaven, your Son, Jesus Christ, still carries His Cross in His persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world. Make us feel the needs of all persons so that we might as Jesus Himself. Amen


Sing (in preparation for the Third Station):

Weakened, prodded, cursed and fallen,

His whole Body bruised and swollen,

Jesus tripped and lay in pain.

Stations of the Cross Jesus is Condemned to Death

Comment: 

Before each station the Minister indicates the following prayer with a genuflection-

 We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

All Respond:

Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.



First Station



The First Station (Traditional) Jesus is Condemned to Death:

"The chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.... Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas... [and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified.   (Mark 15: 1-5, 15)

Minister:  Lord, grant us discernment that we may see as you see, not as the world sees.

Reflection: Book 3; CHAPTER 36
Against Vain Judgments

"My Child, anchor your soul firmly upon God, and do not fear man's

judgment, when conscience pronounces you holy and innocent.

It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to
the humble hearted, and to those which trust in God more than in
themselves....



"Who art you, that you should be afraid of a man that shall die? (Is 51:12)  Today he is, and to-morrow his place is not found upon the earth.

Fear God, and you shall not be afraid before the terrors and threats of men.

What can any man do against you by words or deeds? He hurts himself more than you.  He shall not escape the judgment of God, no matter his station in life. 

Always have God before your eyes, and do not contend with fretful words (2 Tim 2:14). And if for the present you seem to give way, and to suffer undeserved confusion, do not be angry at this, nor by impatience, lest you diminish your reward; but rather look up to Me in heaven, for I am able to deliver you

from all confusion and hurt, and to render to every man according to his works." (Mt 16:27)

--------------

Until next time, be imitators of Christ!

Where Are You When You Are Not Present to Yourself?

Thomas a'Kempis advises us that self reflection is a good use of our time.  To do otherwise is to waste that time,  and to lose opportunities for Grace.  In short, Thomas is warning us that as we spend time on the pursuits of the affairs of others...especially to the point where we are ignoring our spiritual growth in Christ, we are acting vain and foolish.  Why go for the crumbs when you can have the cake?  If we practice now, that what we pray and hope to become as His disciples, then we will "get there" ready and willing and able to be His instrument.

Until next time, Be Imitators of Christ!

Book 2, Chapter V.  The Consideration of One’s Self

We cannot trust too much in ourselves, because we are often lacking grace and understanding. There is little light within us, and what light we do have we quickly lose by our own negligence.

We often do not perceive how inwardly blind we are.

We often do evil and then make that evil worse by excusing ourselves.

We often are moved by passion* and mistake it for zeal.

We pick out little faults in others and over look great faults in ourselves.

We are quick enough  in assigning guilt and making lists of what we suffer at the hands of others, but we think little of what others have to bear from us.

Whenever you measure your own deeds, be careful to not judge harshly or even to measure others at all(Luke 6:37-38).

2. The spiritually-minded disciple prefers self-reflective care before all other cares; and whoever diligently attends to the interior self easily keeps silence concerning others.

You will never be spiritually minded and godly unless you are silent concerning other’s affairs and take full heed to yours.

If you think wholly upon yourself and upon God, what you see outside of your life shall move you little.

Where are you when you are not present to yourself? And when you have considered all these outward things, what has it profited you, this neglecting of yourself (Mt 16:26)?

If you would have peace and true union within, you must set aside all other distractions, and turn your gaze only upon yourself alone.

3. You will make great progress if you keep yourself free from worldly cares.
However, if you set a value upon any of these worldly things you will lamentably fail. 

Let nothing be great, nothing high, nothing pleasing, nothing acceptable to you, except God Himself or the things that come from God.

Think it all vanity whatsoever consolation comes to you from any creature.

The soul that loves God  does not look to anything that is beneath God. God alone is eternal and incomprehensible, filling all things, the solace of the soul, and the true joy of the heart.

*[A short note on language: the word "passion" in The Imitation of Christ, as used below, is a negative. In modern usage, we see "having a passion" for something as a positive, and this is where Thomas uses the word "zeal." Passion, as used above, is that negative connotation more toward obsessive, unhealthy interest.]

How Can Purity & Simplicity Penetrate Heaven?

Book 2, Chapter 4: Of a pure mind and simple intention

In this chapter, Thomas keeps it simple and pure. So I'll keep it simple as well. Thomas lays out for us how these two virtues make our walk in holiness self evident.  The purity of fine music, or as evidenced by the beauty of nature can quickly deliver us into the presense of Almighty God.  As easily as a bird in flight. The only thing holding us back from the journey is --our selves.

With two wings is a disciple lifted above earthly things: that is, with
simplicity and purity.

Simplicity ought to be in the intention, purity in the affection.

Simplicity reaches towards God, purity takes hold of Him and tastes Him (John 6:35; Matt 26:26-27).

You will not be hindered by good action if you are free from unhealthy affections. If you reach after and seek only the will of God and the benefit of your neighbor, you will enjoy inward liberty.

When your heart is right, then every creature will act as a mirror of life and a book of holy doctrine. There is no creature so small and vile that cannot yet manifest to us the goodness of God (Rm 8:19; Ps 98:4-8; Acts 9:18).

2. If you were good and pure within, then you would you look upon
all things without hurt and understand them rightly.

A pure heart penetrates heaven and hell.

As you are inwardly, so you judge outwardly. If there is any joy in the world surely the disciple who is of pure heart possesses this joy, and if there is tribulation and anguish anywhere, the evil conscience feels the best of it (Rm 11:9).

As iron cast into the fire loses rust and is made all glowing, so the believer who turns wholly to God is freed from laziness and changed into a new disciple (Prv 27:17; 1Cor 3:13-15)

3. When a believer begins to grow lukewarm (Rev 3:16), the fear of a little labor develops, and soon outward consolation is accepted; but when the task is set to conquer one’s self and to walk courageously in the way of God, then you may count as nothing those things which before seemed to be so difficult to you.

Until next time,  Be Imitators of Christ!
tim

It's Just a Silly Excuse: Your Obstacle to Peace

When looking for peace either within our homes or within ourselves, our first step should be to to quit making excuses for our own behaviors.  Wouldn't it be interesting, as Thomas suggests, if we didn't know how to be angry?

Further, its easy to identify the "non peaceful" as they like to stir the pot so no one is happy around them, as they cannot be at peace themselves. 

But Thomas warns us that to achieve a peaceful state, we may have to suffer:  Our suffering emanates from conquering our selfish natures. 

Until next time, be imitators of Christ!
tim

Book 2, Chapter 3,

Of the good, peaceful disciple, continued..

2. You know well how to excuse and to color your own doings, but you will not accept the excuses of others. It would be more just to accuse yourself and excuse your brother. If you expect that others bear with you, you need to bear with others.


See how far you are as yet from the true charity and humility which does not know how to be angry or indignant against any one except one’s own self.

It is no great thing to mingle with the good and the meek, (Matt 5:43-48) for
this is naturally pleasing to all, and every one of us willingly enjoys peace and likes best those who agree with us: but to be able to live peaceably with the hard and perverse, or with the disorderly, or those who oppose us - this is a great grace and highly commended and most courageous.

3. There are who keep themselves in peace and keep peace also with others, and there are who neither have peace nor allow others to have peace; they are troublesome to others, but always more troublesome to themselves.

And there are those who hold themselves in peace, and study to bring others to peace; nevertheless, all our peace in this sad life lies in humble suffering rather than in not dealing with these adversities. Whoever knows how to suffer shall possess the most peace; that disciple is conqueror of himself and lord of the world, the friend of Christ, and the heir of heaven.

How Can I Get Others To Be Peaceful?

"Put up thy sword..." Jn 18:11, Keep yourself at peace and they you will be able to bring peace to others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book 2, CHAPTER III:   The good, peaceful disciple.

 

Thomas opens this short chapter with a directive to be peaceful, so that others will "catch" the peace of your spirit.

He then tells us that we cannot let our passions rule us.  In modern parlance, to be "passionate" about something is good.  And so it is.  But here, Thomas is talking about a heated, unnatural lack of control, which turns into a sort of madness.  Thomas then compares the peaceful with the passionate, and advises us to take steps toward the peaceful, for ourselves and for others.  Lastly, he admonishes us to get our own act together before we start working on others.  Good advice.  I think I'll get started, what about you?

 

Keep yourself in peace, and then you will be able to bring peace to others.  The peaceful disciple does more good than those who are learned. 

Those who are passionate turn even good into evil and easily believe evil; whereas one who is good and peaceful converts all things into good. 

The disciple who dwells in peace, is not suspicious of anyone.

Jas: 5:16

But if you are discontent and restless, you are tossed about with many suspicions, and are neither quiet yourself nor allow others to be quiet.

You often say what you should not say, and omit what would be more expedient for you to do.  You consider what duties others are bound to perform, and yet neglect those to which you yourself are bound to perform.

Therefore be zealous first over yourself, and then you may righteously be zealous concerning your neighbors.

Until next time, thank you for praying with me, and reading along.  Be of peaceful hearts, and be imitators of Christ!
tim