Episode 11 -- Imitation of Christ I.11 -- Holy Ambition for Spiritual Progress

Why do we seem to make such little spiritual progress?

Lack of ambition, desire. We read about The Imitation's advice on growing in holiness. This chapter offers various considerations to help attract our hearts for making up our minds to seek after spiritual progress. In trying to encourage us, Thomas a Kempis also helps us to see ourselves in a clearer light, especially the ways we deceive ourselves about our true state of soul.

Last episode we read about what The Imitation of Christ above all wants us to experience: inward comfort from God. Instead of turning to God for our consolations, we often turn to useless talking. Yes we need friendships. Yes, we need conversations with others. In fact, there is a small virtue called friendliness by which we give delight to others in word and deed. We are supposed to give delight to those with whom we live and interact. We are supposed "to say the good things that men need to hear," St Paul says. May the Lord give us holy discretion to know when to speak and when to be silent so as to commune with the Lord.