Words of Thomas A Kempis'-Imitation of Christ(on going)

[babe]

JESUS has always many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him. Many follow Him to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the chalice of His passion. Many revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the Cross. Many love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him. But if Jesus hides Himself and leaves them for a while, they fall either into complaints or into deep dejection. Those, on the contrary, who love Him for His own sake and not for any comfort of their 75own, bless Him in all trial and anguish of heart as well as in the bliss of consolation. Even if He should never give them consolation, yet they would continue to praise Him and wish always to give Him thanks. What power there is in pure love for Jesus—love that is free from all self-interest and self-love!

Let us all follow Jesus, the "trailblazer" to the Father, and enter into eternal bliss. Without a doubt, following him brings on trials, persecution, anguish. But, like the mother who cries in pain when she is in labour, and then, soon after her soul jumps for joy that cannot be described, so will it be for those who bear the burden or Christ's cross. Love him, Love hin, Love him. In good times and in seemingly hopeless times.

lHe beckons: Come to me all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: And you shall find rest to your souls. (Jesus Christ)

[babe]

I WILL hear what the Lord God will speak in me.”2525 Ps. 84:9.

Blessed is the soul who hears the Lord speaking within her, who receives the word of consolation from His lips. Blessed are the ears that catch the accents of divine whispering, and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world. Blessed indeed are the ears that listen, not to the voice which sounds without, but to the truth which teaches within. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to exterior things and are fixed upon those which are interior. Blessed are they who penetrate inwardly, who try daily to prepare themselves more and more to understand mysteries. Blessed are they who long to give their time to God, and who cut themselves off from the hindrances of the world.

We can read the Bible all we want, but it is the Lord Jesus who ultimately speaks to the bowels of our hearts. He consoles, strengthen and guides the weary heart of the individual. If he speaks to you today, close not the ears of your heart. Let us turn a deaf ear, and a blind eye to everything that is not of Jesus, praise you Lord, for you found us worthy enough to speak to us.

[babe]

Behold, in the cross is everything, and upon your dying on the cross everything depends. There is no other way to life and to true inward peace than the way of the holy cross and daily mortification. Go where you will, seek what you will, you will not find a higher way, nor a less exalted but safer way, than the way of the holy cross. Arrange and order everything to suit your will and judgment, and still you will find that some suffering must always be borne, willingly or unwillingly, and thus you will always find the cross.

Ah, the old rugged cross. So ironic that a symbol of death and suffering has been transformed to a symbol of life, hope and peace. Jesus carried his cross, with all the suffering and scorn that was attached to it. We are to do the same to enter into LIFE. Let us all gather and adore the one that hung on the cross, and draw strength to bear our cross that we will, without a doubt carry.