The Joy of a Good Conscience

THE glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience. Therefore, keep your conscience good and you will always enjoy happiness, for a good conscience can bear a great deal and can bring joy even in the midst of adversity. But an evil conscience is ever restive and fearful.
Sweet shall be your rest if your heart does not reproach you.
Do not rejoice unless you have done well. Sinners never experience true interior joy or peace, for "there is no peace to the wicked," says the Lord. [ Isa. 48:22] Even if they say: "We are at peace, no evil shall befall us and no one dares to hurt us," do not believe them; for the wrath of God will arise quickly, and their deeds will be brought to naught and their thoughts will perish.
To glory in adversity is not hard for the man who loves, for this is to glory in the cross of the Lord. But the glory given or received of men is short lived, and the glory of the world is ever companioned by sorrow. The glory of the good, however, is in their conscience and not in the lips of men, for the joy of the just is from God and in God, and their gladness is founded on truth.
The man who longs for the true, eternal glory does not care for that of time; and he who seeks passing fame or does not in his heart despise it, undoubtedly cares little for the glory of heaven.
He who minds neither praise nor blame possesses great peace of heart and, if his conscience is good, he will easily be contented and at peace.
Praise adds nothing to your holiness, nor does blame take anything from it. You are what you are, and you cannot be said to be better than you are in God's sight. If you consider well what you are within, you will not care what men say about you. They look to appearances but God looks to the heart. They consider the deed but God weighs the motive.
It is characteristic of a humble soul always to do good and to think little of itself. It is a mark of great purity and deep faith to look for no consolation in created things. The man who desires no justification from without has clearly entrusted himself to God: "For not he who commendeth himself is approved," says St. Paul, "but he whom God commendeth." [ 2 Cor. 10:18]
To walk with God interiorly, to be free from any external affection -- this is the state of the inward man.

For your thoughtful and prayerful meditation and response.

1 posted on 10/08/2007 8:39:05 AM PDT by Salvation

To: nickcarraway; sandyeggo; Lady In Blue; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; Catholicguy; RobbyS; ...

Imitation of Christ Devotional Ping!

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.

2 posted on 10/08/2007 8:40:38 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

The Religion Moderator gave me permission to copy the rules from the Chambers' thread (with a few alterations) which I think are applicable. Thank you to the RM!

Come to these threads as you are; leave with what you have discovered.

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

3 posted on 10/08/2007 8:41:49 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

Christ In The Garden Of Gethsemane art print by Heinrich Hofmann

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

4 posted on 10/08/2007 8:42:42 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

**Therefore, keep your conscience good and you will always enjoy happiness, for a good conscience can bear a great deal and can bring joy even in the midst of adversity. But an evil conscience is ever restive and fearful. **

For me, at the end of the day, since I know I am a sinner, an examination of conscience is becoming a habit. I don’t always remember it, but try to.

5 posted on 10/08/2007 8:44:55 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

To: Salvation; NYer

Important question: the First lady (my wife) believes that the drop of wine on her blouse is the Blood of Christ. She noticed it about an hour or two after Mass yesterday. I know how to handle a dropped Host, but don't know how to handle the Lord's blood on a blouse.

Sorry I'm off topic, but we don't want to wash the blouse until I've had some direction.

Unfortunately, all the priests in the parish are out of town or at lunch at the moment.

5.56mm

6 posted on 10/08/2007 8:54:50 AM PDT by M Kehoe

Rinse in in cold water and drain that water down the sacrarium (the special sink that drains directly into the ground for the water used by the priest in purifying the chalices). Since you are at home, I think it might be appropriate to pour it into one of your flower beds where it won’t get walked on.

7 posted on 10/08/2007 9:20:59 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

To: M Kehoe; Salvation

the First lady (my wife) believes that the drop of wine on her blouse is the Blood of Christ. She noticed it about an hour or two after Mass yesterday. I know how to handle a dropped Host, but don't know how to handle the Lord's blood on a blouse.

My suggestion would be to set the blouse aside and wait for the return of the priests.

8 posted on 10/08/2007 9:26:43 AM PDT by NYer ("Where the bishop is present, there is the Catholic Church" - Ignatius of Antioch)

To: NYer; M Kehoe

What I have written (about pouring the cold water down the sacrarium) is suggested for the care of the purificators and corporals with wine (Blood of Christ) stains on them. After the cold water rinse, then they may be laundered.

I believe it was on a thread that NYer posted a long time ago with Q & A from Zenit.

9 posted on 10/08/2007 9:34:17 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

To: Salvation; NYer

Update: I waited for the priest, and he said exactly what you recommended Salvation. Thank you both.

5.56mm

10 posted on 10/08/2007 11:06:08 AM PDT by M Kehoe

**It is characteristic of a humble soul always to do good and to think little of itself. It is a mark of great purity and deep faith to look for no consolation in created things. The man who desires no justification from without has clearly entrusted himself to God: “For not he who commendeth himself is approved,” says St. Paul, “but he whom God commendeth.” [ 2 Cor. 10:18]**

Again Thomas aKempis brings humility into the picture. Begone pride; come hither humility.

11 posted on 10/08/2007 4:46:39 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

12 posted on 10/08/2007 10:01:29 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

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The Joy of a Good Conscience

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST

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

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