Posted on 01/08/2008 10:51:48 PM PST by Salvation
With All Her Heart the Devout Soul Should Desire Union with Christ in the Sacrament
THE DISCIPLE
LET it be granted me to find You alone, O Jesus Christ, to open to You my whole heart, to enjoy You as my soul desires, to be disturbed by no one, to be moved and troubled by no creature, that You may speak to me and I to You alone, as a lover speaks to his loved one, and friend converses with friend. I pray for this, I desire this, that I may be completely united to You and may withdraw my heart from all created things, learning to relish the celestial and the eternal through Holy Communion and the frequent celebration of Mass. Ah Lord God, when shall I be completely united to You and absorbed by You, with self utterly forgotten? You in me and I in You? Grant that we may remain so together. You in truth are my Beloved, chosen from thousands, in Whom my soul is happy to dwell all the days of her life. You are in truth my pledge of peace, in Whom is the greatest peace and true rest, without Whom there is toil and sorrow and infinite misery. You truly are the hidden God. Your counsel is not with the wicked, and Your conversation is rather with the humble and the simple. O how kind is Your spirit, Lord, Who in order to show Your sweetness toward Your children, deign to feed them with the sweetest of bread, bread come down from heaven! Surely there is no other people so fortunate as to have their god near them, as You, our God, are present everywhere to the faithful, to whom You give Yourself to be eaten and enjoyed for their daily solace and the raising of their hearts to heaven. Indeed, what other nation is so renowned as the Christian peoples? What creature under heaven is so favored as the devout soul to whom God comes, to feed her with His glorious Flesh? O unspeakable grace! O wonderful condescension! O love beyond measure, singularly bestowed upon man! What return shall I make to the Lord for this love, this grace so boundless? There is nothing I can give more pleasing than to offer my heart completely to my God, uniting it closely with His. Then shall all my inner self be glad when my soul is perfectly united with God. Then will He say to me: "If you will be with Me, I will be with you." And I will answer Him: "Deign, O Lord, to remain with me. I will gladly be with You. This is my one desire, that my heart may be united with You." |
![]() |
Actual title:
With All Her Heart the Devout Soul Should Desire Union with Christ in the Sacrament
Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Imitation of Christ Devotional Ping List.
Also, many Protestants have asked me to put them on this ping list. I have gladly done so, and will add your name if you FReepmail me. I reassure you that you will not get all the Catholic pings.
Absolutely no flaming! These daily threads are intended to be devotional in nature. If a particular day's offering says nothing to you, please just go on and wait for the next day. Consider these threads a DMZ of sorts, a place where a perpetual truce is in effect and a place where all other arguments and disagreements from other times and places are left behind.
I can attest from personal experience (Salvation's) that reading from Imitation of Christ daily will almost certainly change - not one's faith - but one's perspective of his/her own faith, and open up new vistas in your spiritual life. If - when - this happens to a reader of these threads, and they choose to share what has happened within them - we are treading on hallowed ground. Be respectful.
- Religion Moderator
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
BY
THOMAS KEMPIS
A very powerful spiritual guidance for the soul who seeks to imitate Jesus Christ.
Learn from me, because I am meek and humble of heart. Mat. 11:29
If flaming is not accepted, why not make this a caucused thread?
“Avoid as far as thou canst the tumult of men; for talk concerning worldly things, though it be innocently undertaken, is a hindrance, so quickly are we led captive and defiled by vanity. Many a time I wish that I had held my peace, and had not gone amongst men. But why do we talk and gossip so continually, seeing that we so rarely resume our silence without some hurt done to our conscience? We like talking so much because we hope by our conversations to gain some mutual comfort, and because we seek to refresh our wearied spirits by variety of thoughts. And we very willingly talk and think of those things which we love or desire, or else of those which we most dislike.
But alas! it is often to no purpose and in vain. For this outward consolation is no small hindrance to the inner comfort which cometh from God. Therefore must we watch and pray that time pass not idly away. If it be right and desirable for thee to speak, speak things which are to edification. Evil custom and neglect of our real profit tend much to make us heedless of watching over our lips. Nevertheless, devout conversation on spiritual things helpeth not a little to spiritual progress, most of all where those of kindred mind and spirit find their ground of fellowship in God.”
As a Southern Baptist, I find a hymn helps meditation
My favorite: http://www.simplyangel.com/theoldruggedcross.htm
The should the Spurgeon, Chambers, etc. threads be caucus threads?
There are many non-Catholics on my ping list for this thread.
Furthermore, the Religion Moderator approved my use of the post used on the Chambers thread. Have you talked to the posters there about a caucus?
Music/songs very often help mediation. Especially if they are keyed into the subject matter of a presentation or meditation.
I find “the Old Rugged Cross” to be in keeping with the theme of imitating Jesus.
All other threads are open and posters should behave as if it were happening in the town square.
I like the one “Were You There When They Crucified my Lord?”
Imitation of Christ -- Foreword [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ, 1,1 - Imitating Jesus Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1,2, Having A Humble Opinion of Self [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 3, The Doctrine of Truth [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 4, Prudence in Action [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ, 1, 5, Reading the Holy Scripture [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 6, Unbridled Affections [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 7, Avoiding False Hope and Pride [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 8, Shunning Over- Familiarity [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 9, Obedience and Subjection [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 10, Avoiding Idle Talk [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 11, Acquiring Peace and Zeal for Perfection [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 12, The Value of Adversity [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 13, Resisting Temptation [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1. 14, Avoiding Rash Judgment [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 15, Works Done in Charity [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 16, Bearing With the Faults of Others [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1. 17, Monastic Life [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 18, The Example Set Us by the Holy Fathers [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 19, The Practices of a Good Religious [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 20, The Love of Solitude and Silence [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 21, Sorrow of Heart [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 22, Thoughts on the Misery of Man [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 23, Thoughts on Death [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 24, Judgment and the Punishment of Sin [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 25, Zeal in Amending Our Lives [Devotional]
Book Two -- The Interior Life
Imitation of Christ: 2, 1, (26), Meditation [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 2, (27) Humility [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 3, (28) Goodness and Peace in Man [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 4, (29) Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 5, (30) Ourselves [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 6, (31) The Joy of a Good Conscience [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 7. (32) Loving Jesus Above All Things [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 8, (33) The Intimate Friendship of Jesus [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 9, (34) Wanting No Share in Comfort [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 10, (35) Appreciating God's Grace [Devcotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 11, (36) Few Love the Cross of Jesus [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 2, 12, (37) The Royal Road of the Holy Cross [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,1, (38) The Inward Conversation of Christ with the Faithful Soul [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 2, (39) Truth Speaks Inwardly without the Sound of Words [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 3, (40) Listen Humbly to the Words of God. Many Do Not Heed Them[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 4, (41) We Must Walk Before God in Humility and Truth [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 5, (42) The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 6, (43) The Proving of a True Lover {Devotional}
Imitation of Christ: 3, 7, (44) Grace Must Be Hidden Under the Mantle of Humility [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 8, (45) Self-Abasement in the Sight of God [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 9, (46) All Things Should be Referred to God as their Last End [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 10 (47) To Despise the World and Serve God is Sweet [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 11 (48) The Longings of Our Hearts Must Be Examined & Moderated [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 12, (49) Acquiring Patience in the Fight against Concupiscence [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,13,(50) The Obedience of One Humbly Subject to...Jesus Christ [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,14(51)Consider...Judgments of God Lest You Become Proud...Deeds [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 15 (52) How One Should Feel and Speak on Every Desirable Thing [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,16, (53) True Comfort is to be Sought in God Alone [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 17, (54) All Our Care is to be Placed in God [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ:3,18(55)Temporal Sufferings..be Borne Patiently,..Example of Christ [Devotional}
Imitation of Christ: 3, 19, (56) True Patience in Suffering [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 20, (57) Confessing Our Weakness in the Miseries of Life [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 21 (58) Above All Goods and All Gifts We Must Rest in God [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,22 (59) Remember the Innumerable Gifts of God [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3 23, (60) Four Things Which Bring Great Peace [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 24, (61) Avoiding Curious Inquiry About the Lives of Others [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 25 (62) The Basis of Firm Peace of Heart and True Progress [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,26,(63)The Excellence of a Free Mind, Gained Through Prayer ... [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 27, (64) Self-Love is the Greatest Hindrance to the Highest Good[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 28, (65) Strength Against Slander [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,29(66)How We Must Call Upon ... the Lord When Trouble Presses [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 30 (67) Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in Regaining Grace [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 31 (68) To Find the Creator, Forsake All Creatures [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 32, (69) Self-Denial and the Renunciation of Evil Appetites [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,33,(70)Restlessness of Soul:Directing Final Intention Toward God[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 34, (71) God is ... in All Things to Those Who Love Him [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 35, (72) There is No Security from Temptation in This Life [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 36, (73) The Vain Judgments of Men [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 37 (74) Pure...Resignation of Self to Obtain Freedom of Heart [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,38,(75)...Right Ordering of External Affairs; Recourse to God... [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,39, (76) A Man Should Not be Unduly Solicitous about his Affairs[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 40 (77) Man Has No Good in Himself and Can Glory in Nothing [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 41, (78) Contempt for All Earthly Honor [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 42 (79) Peace is not to be Placed in Men [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 43 (80) Beware Vain and Worldly Knowledge [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 44 (81) Do Not be Concerned About Outward Things [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 45 (82) ...Men...Not To Be Believed, ...Easy To Err in Speech [Devotional]
Imitation of Chirst: 3, 46, (83) Trust in God Against Slander [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 47, (84) Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 48 (85) The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of this Life [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,49(86)...Desire of Eternal Life;...Rewards...Those Who Struggle [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 50 (87) How a Desolate Person... Commit...into the Hands of God [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3,51,(88)When We Cannot Attain...Highest,...Practice...Humble Works[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ:3,52(89)A Man Ought Not Consider Himself Worthy...Consolation, ...[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 53, (90) God's Grace Is Not Given to the Earthly Minded [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 54 (91) The Different Motions of Nature and Grace [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ:3,55 (92)The Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 56 (93) We...Deny Ourselves... Imitate Christ...Bearing Cross [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 57 (94) Man Should Not Be Too Downcast...Falls Into Defects [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 58 (95) High Matters...Hidden Judgments of God...Not...[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 3, 59 (96) All Hope and Trust Are To Be Fixed in God Alone [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 1, (97) The Great Reverence With Which We Should Receive Christ [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ:4,2(98) God's Great Goodness and Love...Shown to Man in...Sacrament[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 3 (99) It Is Profitable To Receive Communion Often [Devotional}
Imitation of Christ: 4, 4(100) Many Blessings Are Given...Receive Communion Worthily [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 5 (101) The Dignity of the Sacrament and of the Priesthood [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 6 (102) An Inquiry on the Proper Thing to do Before Communion [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4,7 (103)...Examination of Conscience and the Resolution to Amend [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 8 (104) The Offering of Christ on the Cross; Our Offering [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4,9 (105)...Offer Ourselves...All...We Have to God, Praying...[Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 10 (106) Do Not Lightly Forego Holy Communion [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 11 (107)...Body of Christ...Sacred Scripture...Most Necessary...{Devotional]
Imitation of Christ:4,12(108)...Communicant Should Prepare...for Christ w/ Great Care [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 4, 13 (109 ...Devout Soul Should Desire Union with Christ... [Devotional]
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.