Crayons in Hell

A little off the beaten path today:  a huge shout out to the "artist" who created this year's cover to our 2013 Missal (http://www.ocp.org/products/BB-P).

It's so awful, it looks like a second grade crayon-on-wax-paper-melt gone bad. Or, think of it as Crayons in Hell.

One of the comments on the FB page discussing this was that it looked "Like the skull out of a Santeria ritual"

What is wrong with the beautiful art which eminates from the Church's 2000 year history?



Adoration: DaVinci



The Nativity: El Greco

 Inspirational, faith-based art is supposed to be both true and beautiful.  According to Peter Kreeft, one of the many ways to know God is through beauty, as typically expressed in art - be that musical or visual (e.g., There is the music of Mozart, therefore, there must be a God.  There is the art of DaVinci or El Greco, therefore, there must be a God.)

I can think of many pieces of art that could've been used instead of the crayon puke in a blender, shown above.

Or, perhaps an icon could've been used, or a simple picture of the Eucharist in the Monstrance, to remind us of the source and summit of our Faith.  The point is, OCP, quit trying to be edgy.  Try to inspire.

Laughing Jesus

Finally, I can't help but think of an edgier picture than this one, where Jesus is laughing at us for our silly attempts to "empower" artists to think outside the frame.  What's next?  A Crucifix in a Jar of Kool-Aid?  Sorry, that's already been done, only with urine.  Sorry, I'm not going to show that!  But here's an image of Jesus laughing at us!

Until next time.  Thanks for reading and praying along with me:Yours in Christ.
tim

Disciple = Discipline

Thomas a'Kempis wraps up Chapter 25, of Book 1 (and therefore Book 1 is done!) with his final "useful admonitions" on how to amend our life.

In short, a disciple is disciplined.  It's obvious, you can see, that the two terms are related, not only to each other, but to the spiritual walk (Mi 6:8)

Thomas points out that when you take on the role of a follower of Jesus Christ, that you have a new standard to uphold, and that in order to uphold that standard, there are a few items you may want to try...some of which will be uncomfortable.  But the exchange comes when in adopting of the rules of the faith you reap the result of joy and spiritual refreshment.

7. Whoever is a sincere person receives and bears well those burdens laid upon him. Whoever is careless and lukewarm has numerous troubles, and suffers anguish upon every side, because there is no comfort within, and seeking outward comfort is forbidden. Whoever is living without discipline is exposed to dreadful ruin. Whenever you seek easier and lighter discipline you will be in distress, because one thing or another will inevitably displease you.

8. How do so many devout persons live under strict monastic discipline?
They seldom go abroad; they live very retired; their diet is very poor; their habit is coarse; they labor much; they speak little; they watch long; they rise early; they spend much time in prayer; they read often and keep themselves in all discipline.

Cistercian Coat of Arms

Consider the Carthusians, the Cistercians, and the monks and nuns of different Orders, how every night they rise to sing psalms to the Lord. It would, therefore, be a shame for you to be sluggish at so holy a time when such multitudes of devout disciples begin with joy and give praise to God.

9. O! if no other duty lay upon us but to praise the Lord our God with our whole heart and voice! Oh! if you never had need to eat or drink, or sleep, but were always able to praise God, and to give yourself over to spiritual exercises alone; then you should be far happier, when for so many necessities you must serve the flesh. O! that these necessities were not tied to the flesh, but only that we could taste the spiritual refreshments of the soul, which alas we taste too seldom.

11. When you have come to this, that you seek comfort from no created thing, then you will perfectly begin to enjoy God, then also will you be well contented with whatsoever shall happen to you. Then you will neither rejoice for much nor be sorrowful for little, but you shall know the commitment to yourself and with full trust in God, who is all in all to you, to whom nothing perishes nor dies, but all things live to Him and obey His every word without delay.

12. Always remember your end, and how the time which is lost does not return. Without care and diligence you shall never obtain virtue. If you begin to grow cold, it shall begin to go ill with you, but if you give yourself to zeal you shall find much peace, and shall find your labor the lighter because of the grace of God and the love of virtue. A zealous and diligent disciple is ready for all things. It is greater labor to resist sins and passions than to toil in bodily labors. He who does not shun venial faults falls little by little into greater faults. At eventide you shall always be glad if you spent the day profitably. Watch over yourself, stir yourself up, admonish yourself, and no matter how it is with others, do not neglect yourself. The more discipline you enter into yourself, the more you shall profit.

Amen.

And so we end Book 1, of the Imitation of Christ.

Thank you for reading, praying along with me in uncovering the keen insights of this great and holy disciple of Christ. 

May we all be Imitators of Christ!

Next month, I'll begin book 2, which is much shorter (12 chapters), and deals with the Interior life.

Until til then, pray hard, life is short.
tim

How to Clean A Messy Room: Curb Your Passions and Imitate Christ

As Thomas gets into the meat of Chapter 25,  we should recall the previous paragraph, where he tells us that what's holding us back from a closer walk with The Lord is often times the dread of difficulty. 

Not to minimize this, but I instantly thought of my children struggling with cleaning up their room.  Especially when you cannot see the floor for the dirty laundry.  So I tell them to spend fifteen minutes working on the clothes, put in a load, and repeat.  And soon the project will be well on its way to completion.

In the same manner we know what we need to do to walk closer with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is groaning for us to do so (Rm 8:26).

So Chapter 25 continues to offer ways to amend our lives: Recognize our passions, our "bent" and work on curbing these excesses. Running away from sinful occasions.  Imitating holy people.  Note those things that bother us about other people and endeavor to NOT enter into that activity ourselves.

Thomas then reminds us to honor our baptismal promise to love God with all of our heart, mind and soul (Dt 6: 4-5, Mark 12:29-31).

Book 1, Chapter 25, Amendment of Life, continued.

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

Two things particularly bring about improvement in holiness: namely the ability to firmly withdraw ourselves from the sins to which we are most inclined by nature, and earnestly to work toward that good which one wants most.

Strive to guard against and conquer those faults of your own which bother you  – that you see most often in others.



St Juan Diego's Image in the Eye of
Our Lady of Guadalupe



5. Turn all occasions to your spiritual profit wherever you are, and whenever you see or hear good examples, tell yourself to imitate these actions. But where you see anything which is sinful, take care that you do not imitate these actions; or if at any time you have entered into it, strive quickly to amend yourself. As your eyes observe others, so also are the eyes of others observing you.

How sweet and pleasant is it to see devout and godly believers who are temperate and of good discipline; and how sad it is and serious to see them walking in a disorderly manner, not practicing the duties to which they are called. How hurtful a thing it is to neglect the purpose of their calling, and turn their inclinations to things which are none of their business.

 6. Be mindful of the duties which you have undertaken, and set before you always the remembrance of the Crucified Christ (1 Cor 2:2). Truly you ought to be remorseful as you look upon the life of Jesus Christ, because you have not yet tried to conform yourself more to His pattern, although you have been a long time in the way of God.  Those who are religious, who conduct spiritual exercises seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord shall find there abundantly all things that are profitable and necessary. There is no need to seek anything better beyond Jesus. Oh! if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly, and completely would we learn all that we need to know!

Next time we will finish Chapter 25 and Book 1!  Thomas will tell us an easy way to overcome our faults.

Until then, thanks for reading and praying along with me.

Be imitators of Christ!
tim

p.s.  Special prayers for my friend Greg, who is delivering a talk on metanoia today.

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!

Judgment: How Can You Secure Access to God?

How do we secure access to God during the Judgment?

Today, good Thomas tells us that if we lay aside our vanity; that if we had to face death right now, would any of these honors and pleasures matter in the least?

Rather, he tells us that "Perfect Love*" gives us access to God (1 Jn 4:15-21)*.  When we love God with our whole hear, mind, soul and strength and adopt this to our daily living - then we will achieve perfect love.

I want to talk about "Fear of the Lord" for a moment.  This is not a horrified fear (such as is due to hell), but rather is an extreme form of awe that we experience through an adoring appreciation of God's Holy Power.  And we can observe it regularly if we open our eyes to it.  So Thomas tells us that laying aside fear of God will result in fear of hell - and even that is good if it causes us to refrain from our negative passions.

Book 1, Chapter 24 (on Judgment), paragraph 7

If to this day you had always lived in honors and pleasures, what would if avail you if you were now in a moment to die?

All then is vanity, but to love God and to serve Him alone. Eccl 1:2; Dt 10:20.

For those who love God with their whole heart neither fear death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell; because perfect love gives us secure access to God.

But he that is yet delighted with sin no wonder if he be afraid of death and judgment.

However, it is good that if this love, as yet,  cannot reclaims you from evil, at least the fear of hell might restrain you.

But he that lays aside the fear of God will not be able to continue long in good, but will quickly fall into the snares of the devil.


In finishing this chapter on Judgment, Thomas calls us first to the perfect love of God's Will, as laid out in our daily lives.  And if that doesn't persuade us, then he calls us to look over the edge of the cliff of hell to see what awaits us there....a different type of judgment altogether.

Thanks for reading and praying along with me.

Until next time, when we break open the final chapter of Book 1, Chapter 25, Amendment of Life,
Be imitators of Christ!
tim

*1 Jn 4:15 "Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. 16We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 17In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world.i 18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. 19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God* whom he has not seen. 21This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."

How to Enter the Narrow Gate:Self-discipline

First, it's been almost a month since my last posting.  Sorry for the delay.

Second, there are several people I know with a cancer diagnosis right now.  Please lift them up in prayer right now, for healing and health.  The tribulation these people have to endure lends itself to todays meditation.  They are travelling through the narrow gate.  Our Father.... Hail Mary....  Glory Be....  Thank you for Tom, Stacy, Lori, Jennifer and others out there unknown or un-named.
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As Thomas a'Kempis likes to do, he lists comparisons contrasting our lives now, and what it takes to enter in through the narrow gate (Matt 7:13-14), with the easy lazy spiritual life. 

He tells us that exercising self-discipline now will result in enjoyment in Paradise with Christ:    We can overcome this  fear of eternal separation from God by entering into His reality now.  It is a reality of Love.  Love is the opposite of fear.

From Book 1, Chapter 24, Para 5 & 6.

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

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

• Then shall devout rejoice, and the profane shall mourn.

• Then the flesh that has been disciplined shall triumph more than if it had been always pampered in delights.

• Then the humble garment shall reveal its beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as rags.

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

• Then long-lasting patience shall have more might than all the power of the world.

• Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than the craftiness of the worldly .

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 and following).

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


Christ The King



• 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.

• 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 cannot able to have both Paradises: taking your fill here in this world, and also reigning with Christ hereafter.

  Thomas' conclusions of these two paragraphs are typical of his plain-spoken nature:  He presents us with the obvious.  Like exercising a muscle, he tells us to work on those behaviors and attitudes NOW which keep us distant from God.  He then tells us what we hear all the time:  You can't have it both ways!

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