What Example Are We Following? The Way...Of The Cross.

This week, Thomas points us to the early church fathers as an example of how far we are to go in our quest for holiness.  He tells us of the trials and tribulations of these men and women, and how they persevered under dire persecutions and severe accommodations....but counted it all joy (Js 1:2).  As mentioned last time, these last few chapters, as well as the next few (15-20, really) should be read together to get the sense that Thomas is driving at:  living a Holy Life.  Of course, this Book, and indeed the four books, were written as a "manual" for new members of the monastery in which Thomas himself lived.  This first book, then, is the most "practical" in that it contains direct advice to those entering the monastic life.  Each subsequent book takes the acolyte deeper into God's mystery, culminating in the source and summit of our faith in book 4.  This all reminded me of a song from my Promise Keepers days, called "Face to Face".  Give it a listen while you're reading and praying.

Chapter 18

The Examples of the Holy Fathers

Look upon the vivid examples of the holy fathers and the saints in whom true perfection and religion were most evident and you will see how little, and almost nothing, that is which we do by comparison.  Alas! what is our life, if compared to theirs? The Saints and friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst; in cold and nakedness; in labor and weariness; in watching and fastings; in prayers and holy meditations; in persecutions and many insults – Hebrews 11:37

2. Ah! Consider how many and how grievous tribulations were endured by the apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and indeed all the saints, who willingly followed in Christ's footsteps! For they disparaged their lives in this world, that they might possess them for eternity – Jn 12:25.

Oh, how strict and mortified a life did the holy fathers lead in the desert! What long and grievous temptations did they endure! How often were they persecuted by the enemy! What frequent and fervent prayers did they offer to God! What rigorous abstinence did they go through! What great zeal and fervor for they had for their spiritual progress! How strong a war did they wage for overcoming vice! How pure and upright was their intention to God! They labored all day and in the night they gave themselves to prayer: though even while they were at work they did not cease from mental prayer.

3. They spent all their time profitably: every hour seemed short which they spent with God. Often through the great sweetness of divine contemplation they forgot even the the bodily needs of food and rest. They renounced all riches, dignities, honors, friends, and families; they desired to have nothing of this world; they scarcely allowed themselves the necessities of life; serving the body, even in necessity, was wearisome to them.  They were poor, therefore, as to earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtue. Outwardly they were in want, but inwardly they were refreshed with divine graces and consolations.

4. They were strangers to the world, but to God they were near and familiar friends. To the world, they were despised, and even to themselves, seemed as nothing; but in the eyes of God they were very precious and beloved. They stood in true humility, they lived in simple obedience, they walked in charity and patience; and therefore they daily advanced in spirit, and obtained great favor with God. They were given as an example for all the devout ones, and ought more to excite us to make good progress than the number of the lukewarm to grow slack.

5. Oh, how great was the fervor of all the devout in the beginning of their holy societies! Oh, how great was their devotion in prayer! How great their zeal for virtue! What great devotion was in force among them! What great reverence and obedience in all, flourished under the rule of a superior! The footsteps remaining still bear witness that they were truly perfect and holy saints, who, waging war so stoutly, trod the world under their feet. Today, those who are not transgressors are thought great, as well as those who can with endure with patience what has been undertaken.

6. Ah, the lukewarmness and negligence of our state, that we so quickly fall away from our former fervor, and are now even wary of living through sloth and tepidity. Would to God that advancement in virtues was not wholly asleep in you who have so often seen many examples of the devout!

And so Thomas reminds us that this quest is not a one-time event.  Or a "retreat" event.  This following in Christ's footsteps, and in the steps for the Church's Saints, is a day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year event.  And yes....even minute-by-minute, step by step!

Until next time, thanks for praying along with me.
tim

Melting Gold: Easier Than A Devout Life

Have a listen to this great Gregorian Chant while you read through this post:
This chapter, at first, was somewhat difficult to synthesize, because I've never been in a "religious" community.  However, after reading through the meditation several times, what Thomas is pointing to is not simply a monastic community, but a community of devout believers, wherever they may be.  While one of the reasons Thomas a'Kempis wrote "The Imitation of Christ" was for those entering religious life, it has direct application to those of us outside the monastery walls. In some sense, the previous chapters all lead up to this one:  entering into a devout life (not just a life-style). In the next few chapters, good Thomas will take us deeper into the monastery and guide us into a prayer life via the example of the Church Fathers.  So this chapter is a short introduction to a more devout life.  As always, the secret weapon is humility and focus on pursuit of God's Love. After the meditation, you will get a reward.


CHAPTER 17 On a Religious (Devout) Life

A Devoted Community: the Apostles

Learn to be humble in all things if you want to get along with others, for it is to your benefit. It is not easy to live in a religious community, and to live there without complaint, and to remain faithful even unto death. Blessed are those who have lived a good life in such a community, and brought it to a happy end. Persevere in this humility and you will acquire it as you should, by regarding yourself as an exile and a pilgrim upon this earth. If you are to lead a devout, religious life, be counted as a fool for Christ (1 Cor 1:19; 1 Cor 4:10, 1 Cor 3:19; 1 Cor 1:21).

2. Religious clothing such as the habit and tonsure, and outward appearances matter little; it is change of character and entire humility of affections which make a truly devout person. When you seek those things other than the health of your soul and God Himself, you will only find tribulation and sorrow. You cannot remain long in peace, when you do not strive to be least of all and servant of all.


3. You are called to endure and to labor, not to a life of ease and wasteful gossip. In a life of devotion, you are meant to be tried as gold in a furnace. No one can last long, unless with all your heart you will humble yourself for the sake of  God's love.

And here is your prize:  Reward for Fidelity. 2 Tim 4:6-8

"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance."

Until next time, thank you for reading and praying along with me.
tim