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About the "Imitation" - first published anonymously in A.D. 1418 |
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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST | |||
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By Thomas � Kempis |
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Book THREE. Internal Consolation (cont) |
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24. Avoiding Curious Inquiry About the Lives of Others |
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The Voice of Christ My child, do not be curious. Do not trouble yourself with idle cares. What matters this or that to you? Follow Me. What is it to you if a man is such and such, if another does or says this or that? You will not have to answer for others, but you will have to give an account of yourself. Why, then, do you meddle in their affairs? Behold, I know all men. I see everything that is done under the sun, and I know how matters stand with each -- what is in his mind and what in his heart and the end to which his intention is directed. Commit all things to Me, therefore, and keep yourself in good peace. Let him who is disturbed be as restless as he will. Whatever he has said or done will fall upon himself, for he cannot deceive Me. Do not be anxious for the shadow of a great name,
for the close friendship of many, or for the
particular affection of men. These things cause
distraction and cast great darkness about the heart.
I would willingly speak My word and reveal My secrets
to you, if you would watch diligently for My coming
and open your heart to Me. Be prudent, then. Watch in
prayer, and in all things humble yourself. |
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The Voice of Christ My child, I have said: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you."(1) All men desire peace but all do not care for the things that go to make true peace. My peace is with the humble and meek of heart: your peace will be in much patience. If you hear Me and follow My voice, you will be able to enjoy much peace. The Disciple What, then, shall I do, Lord? The Voice of Christ Watch yourself in all things, in what you do and what you say. Direct your every intention toward pleasing Me alone, and desire nothing outside of Me. Do not be rash in judging the deeds and words of others, and do not entangle yourself in affairs that are not your own. Thus, it will come about that you will be disturbed little and seldom. Yet, never to experience any disturbance or to suffer any hurt in heart or body does not belong to this present life, but rather to the state of eternal rest. Do not think, therefore, that you have found true peace if you feel no depression, or that all is well because you suffer no opposition. Do not think that all is perfect if everything happens just as you wish. And do not imagine yourself great or consider yourself especially beloved if you are filled with great devotion and sweetness. For the true lover of virtue is not known by these things, nor do the progress and perfection of a man consist in them. The Disciple In what do they consist, Lord? The Voice of Christ They consist in offering yourself with all your heart to the divine will, not seeking what is yours either in small matters or great ones, either in temporal or eternal things, so that you will preserve equanimity and give thanks in both prosperity and adversity, seeing all things in their proper light. If you
become so brave and long-suffering in hope that you can prepare
your heart to suffer still more even when all inward consolation
is withdrawn, and if you do not justify yourself as though you
ought not be made to suffer such great things, but acknowledge Me
to be just in all My works and praise My holy name -- then you
will walk in the true and right path of peace, then you may have
sure hope of seeing My face again in joy. If you attain to
complete contempt of self, then know that you will enjoy an
abundance of peace, as much as is possible in this earthly life. |
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| 1. John 14:27. |
