IMITATION OF CHRIST

TAN BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS, INC. | 1418 | Thomas à Kempis, Translated by Rev. Richard Challoner, D.D. from the Original Latin

[naira]

Chapter 1

Of the Imitation of Christ, and the Contempt of All the Vanities of the World

"HE that followeth me, walketh not in darkness," saith Our Lord. (John 8:12).These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished, that we must imitate His life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened, and delivered from all blindness of heart.

Let it then be our chief study to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ.

(John 8:12 Again therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying: I am the light of the world. He that followeth me walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life.)

[naira]

2. The doctrine of Christ surpasseth all the doctrines of the saints, and whosoever hath the spirit will find therein a hidden manna. (Apocalypse 2:17).

But it happeneth that many, by frequent hearing of the Gospel, are very little affected: because they have not the spirit of Christ.

But he who would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must study to make his whole life conformable to that of Christ.

(Apocalypse 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna and will give him a white counter: and in the counter, a new name written, which no man knoweth but he that receiveth it.)

[.45MAN]

This is a wonderful book. Everyone should read it and at least try and live by it, we would have a much more loving world....

[Desdemona]

Actually, what the imprint of the book says to do is read one chapter a day and reflect on it.

I carry my printed copy in my purse. It's the Confraternity of the Precious Blood little blue one. It comes in handy quite often.

[Titanites]

Oh my. A Catholic reading scripture; now that doesn't follow the stereotype. :)

[fidelis]

I recently put the Imitation on my PDA, where it joins my virtual Rosary, Stations of the Cross, The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and two Bible translations. I feel loaded for bear.

[fidelis]

“It's very likely too that a Kempis regarded so-called "oral traditions," i.e., those stray winds of doctrine of doubtful and indeterminate source, as of little or no value, particularly so since often they cannot be justified from the Scriptures and, in fact, are frequently contradicted and denied by GOD's inspired Scriptures.”

Michael-

Since you are a well-known and notorious anti-Catholic on these pages, it is not hard to see where you are going with this. I will give your views all the attention they deserve.


Best Regards,
Fidelis

[Desdemona]

Either read the writings themselves and do a line by line critique or go play in somebody else's sandbox.

Thank You.

[Desdemona]

it seemed very odd to me that people who also publicly commended this advice by Thomas a Kempis' did not also follow it, since they did not include regular study of GOD's unique and inspired Scriptures in their daily devotions.

And how, exactly do you know this? Any person going to daily Mass hears more scripture than you can imagine. There's other devotions as well, like the Liturgy of the Hours and Vespers. All have more scripture than you might guess. And who are you, or any of us, to say that people do not read scripture on their own.

Take the Rosary for example. The prayers of the Rosary are:

1. The Sign of the Cross (In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen)
2. The Apostles' Creed
3. The Our Father (Direct quote from the Gospels According to Matthew and Luke)
4. The Hail Mary (Direct quotes from the Gospel According to Luke)
5. The Glory Be to God
6. The Fatima prayer
(addded later: Oh, My Jesus, Forgive us our sins;
Save us from the fires of hell;
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those in most need of thy mercy.)
7. The Hail, Holy Queen (not a scripture quote, but a request)

Originally, the 150 Hail Mary's were a substitute of sorts for the Psalms, before the people were literate. It was a way to pray them. Now, as the devotion has evolved, the decades have been divided into mysteries - five new ones have been added.

The Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. THe Birth of Christ
4. Christ's Presentation at the Temple
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

The Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism of Our Lord
2. The Wedding at Cana
3. The Declaration of the Kingdom
4. The Transubstatiation
5. The Insitution of the Eucharist (the Last Supper)

The Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. Christ receives His Cross
5. Christ Dies on the Cross

The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurection
2. THe Assension
3. Pentecost
4. The Asumption
5. The Crowning of Mary Queen oh Heaven and Earth

All but two of these mysteries are found in scripture. When saying the Rosary we reflect on them. How is it then that it can be said we don't reflect on God's word, as that is scripture.

What we do not do is interpret it ourselves. Doing that leads to misunderstanding of the Word.

[drstevej]

***All but two of these mysteries are found in scripture.***

Let me guess which ones...
- The Asumption
- The Crowning of Mary Queen of Heaven and Earth


Am I right?

[Desdemona]

Being patronizing is beneath you.

[drstevej]

I asked a question. Characterize it however you will. How do you know my motives?

[Desdemona]

If you know the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles at all (as a protestant minister, I would hope that you would) you would know the answer to the question, as I do. As far as I know Luther didn't remove them from the Bible.

It's a little early in the morning and I'm waiting impatiently for the Rose Parade to start.

[drstevej]

Speaking of patronizing.

Have a great 2004.