Imitation of Christ: 4, 10 (106) Do Not Lightly Forego Holy Communion [Devotional]

WorkofGod.org ^ | 1441 | Thomas aKempis

[Salvation]

Do Not Lightly Forego Holy Communion
THE VOICE OF CHRIST YOU must often return to the source of grace and divine mercy, to the fountain of goodness and perfect purity, if you wish to be free from passion and vice, if you desire to be made stronger and more watchful against all the temptations and deceits of the devil. The enemy, knowing the great good and the healing power of Holy Communion, tries as much as he can by every manner and means to hinder and keep away the faithful and the devout. Indeed, there are some who suffer the worst assaults of Satan when disposing themselves to prepare for Holy Communion. As it is written in Job, this wicked spirit comes among the sons of God to trouble them by his wonted malice, to make them unduly fearful and perplexed, that thus he may lessen their devotion or attack their faith to such an extent that they perhaps either forego Communion altogether or receive with little fervor. No attention, however, must be paid to his cunning wiles, no matter how base and horrible -- all his suggestions must be cast back upon his head. The wretch is to be despised and scorned. Holy Communion must not be passed by because of any assaults from him or because of the commotion he may arouse. Oftentimes, also, too great solicitude for devotion and anxiety about confession hinder a person. Do as wise men do. Cast off anxiety and scruple, for it impedes the grace of God and destroys devotion of the mind. Do not remain away from Holy Communion because of a small trouble or vexation but go at once to confession and willingly forgive all others their offenses. If you have offended anyone, humbly seek pardon and God will readily forgive you. What good is it to delay confession for a long time or to put off Holy Communion? Cleanse yourself at once, spit out the poison quickly. Make haste to apply the remedy and you will find it better than if you had waited a long time. If you put it off today because of one thing, perhaps tomorrow a greater will occur to you, and thus you will stay away from Communion for a long time and become even more unfit. Shake off this heaviness and sloth as quickly as you can, for there is no gain in much anxiety, in enduring long hours of trouble, and in depriving yourself of the divine Mysteries because of these daily disturbances. Yes, it is very hurtful to defer Holy Communion long, for it usually brings on a lazy spiritual sleep. How sad that some dissolute and lax persons are willing to postpone confession and likewise wish to defer Holy Communion, lest they be forced to keep a stricter watch over themselves! Alas, how little love and devotion have they who so easily put off Holy Communion! How happy and acceptable to God is he who so lives, and keeps his conscience so pure, as to be ready and well disposed to communicate, even every day if he were permitted, and if he could do so unnoticed. If, now and then, a man abstains by the grace of humility or for a legitimate reason, his reverence is commendable, but if laziness takes hold of him, he must arouse himself and do everything in his power, for the Lord will quicken his desire because of the good intention to which He particularly looks. When he is indeed unable to come, he will always have the good will and pious intention to communicate and thus he will not lose the fruit of the Sacrament. Any devout person may at any hour on any day receive Jesus Christ in spiritual communion profitably and without hindrance. Yet on certain days and times appointed he ought to receive with affectionate reverence the Body of his Redeemer in this Sacrament, seeking the praise and honor of God rather than his own consolation. For as often as he devoutly calls to mind the mystery and passion of the Incarnate Jesus Christ, and is inflamed with love for Him, he communicates mystically and is invisibly refreshed. He who prepares himself only when festivals approach or custom demands, will often find himself unprepared. Blessed is he who offers himself a sacrifice to the Lord as often as he celebrates or communicates. Be neither too slow nor too fast in celebrating but follow the good custom common to those among whom you are. You ought not to cause others inconvenience or trouble, but observe the accepted rule as laid down by superiors, and look to the benefit of others rather than to your own devotion or inclination.

[Salvation]

For your thoughtful and prayerful meditation and response.

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

 

 

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

[Cheverus]

Much to meditate on.

I tend to not go to Holy Communion when I can’t recieve in “The Ordinary Manner”...you know when there are 50,000 Extraordinary Ministers blocking access to the Priest(s).

I will go to a Deacon, who I suppose would also be considered an Extraordinary Minister...but laywoman in jeans and a Sweatshirt is too much for me to handle.

I’ll zig zag and climb over pews to get to the Priest, but sometimes it’s impossible so I just stay kneeling in the pew.

Another case for the altar rail by the way......

[Ciexyz]

Faith-sharing bump.

[Salvation]

Book One -- Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul

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]

[Salvation]

I agree with you. Always sit where I know the line will lead to the priest or deacon.

[Salvation]

Book Three -- Internal Consolation - Conversations with Christ

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]

[Salvation]

Book Four -- An Invitation to the Holy Communion

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]

[Cheverus]

Fortunately in the Archdiocese of Boston it is very rare to have an Extraordinary Minister in the Central isle (Holy Trinity, Boston and St. Gregory, Dorchester are the only of the many parishes I’ve been to where I see that done), but it is very common in Diocese of Providence that you need to “zig-zag”

And FYI, other Parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston, I’ve attended:

St. Joseph, Boston (all four verses)
Our Lady of Victories, Boston (only half hymns)
St. James the Greater, Boston (Weekday/Holy Days)
St. Theresa of Avila, West Roxbury (people leave early)
St. John Chrysostom, West Roxbury (libs with no kneelers)
St. Ann, Dorchester (very orthodox)
Blessed Mother Theresa, Dorchester (while still St. Margaret)
St. Mark, Dorchester (ok, sometimes Liturgical dance ugh)
St. Peter, Dorchester (once kind of happy clappy)
Our Lady of Czechotowa, South Boston (incense on a Sat. Afternoon!)
St. Augusitine-St. Monica, South Boston (Fr. Kennedy is a very Holy Man)
St. Vincent DePaul, South Boston (not since Cannon left, nice design)
St. Brigid, South Boston (not since Culloty left)
St. Joseph, Needham (not since Haddad left)
St. Bartholomew, Needham (interesting design)
St. Mary, Dedham (not since Dooher left - too much into his Life Teen thing for my preference)
St. Anne, Readville (he’s good, used “Brethren”)
St. Zepherin, Wayland (horrible wreckovation - ugliest Church in Archdiocese now)
St. Patrick, Groveland (not since Conway left)
Sacred Heart, Newton (has Connelly retired?)
Mary Immaculate of Lourdes, Newton (Latin only)
Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston (not since Connolly took over)
Cathedral of the Annunciation (Melkite), Roslindale (not since Mitchell left, but they don’t use EOMs anway)
St. Paul, Cambridge (happy clappy no kneeler student Mass, so no real Mass yet)
St. Columbkille, Brighton (all five one Sunday so I know they’re safe, Msgr. Fay, Fr. Anda, Fr. Forgwe rock, and kudos to O’Rourke and Gavin - though he is a bit happy clappy he is reverent)
St. Irene, Carlisle (needs stainglass, congregation too loud)
St. Therese Sherborn (got upset at the Priest for wanting to use and EOM with less than 50 people)
St. Catherine of Siena, Norwood (Msgr. McRae is a good man)
Holy Ghost, Whitman (for a first Communion, still no EOM, I think Sweicki is good)
St. Thomas More, Braintree (Vosko Church wreckovation, don’t really know Fr. Sughrue)
St. Francis of Assisi, Braintree (Fr. Conole is good but I think they moved him)
St. Julia, Weston (not in awhile though)
St. Benedict, Somerville (still has the altar rail, don’t know Fr. Carr, but I have heard he quit drinking)
Our Lady of Lourdes, Jamaica Plain (Spanish Mass Msgr. Bourque is a very humble man, many year is the Society of St. James the Apostle)
St. Patrick, Roxbury (Rumor has it Fr. Waldron turned down Bishop many years ago to work in the poorest neighborhood in the city - truly a humble man)
Holy Name, West Roxbury (daily Mass, Msgr. Changes the translation and wreckovated the Parish ripping out the altar rail when he got there)
Infant Jesus - St. Lawrence, Brookline (daily Mass with Burke who is gone)
Immaculate Conception, Malden (too much Dan Schutte it was awful, I felt like I was in a Dignity USA Mass)

I’ve also been to St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine which is not a parish but very liturgically orthodox so many refugees end up there.

[Salvation]

Oh, dear, you have kept a running list. It is truly amazing to me.

Appears you are doing a very good job of searching.

Zig-zag...........LOL — been there and done that! I see many people do it at daily Mass.