Lectio et Oratio

Episode 30 -- Imitation of Christ II.5 -- On Self-Criticism

We read about the danger of criticizing others and finding fault with others. Instead of staying at home and seeing our own faults we waste time, lose peace, and forget about God. We go out and set ourselves up as the judge of others. How little evidence we truly have for our judgments! If only we believed more and more in the greatness and infinity of God!

Episode 29 -- Imitation of Christ II.4 -- Purity of Heart and Singleness of Intention

How do we make progress in our relationship with God?

Purity of mind and singleness of intention. In this reading, Thomas a Kempis shows us the kind of intention we need as we approach God. We must have in mind His will and our neighbour's good. But having this intention requires us to have a pure heart. So many things depend on the state of our affections. The world "seems" to us as our heart desires. Our heart influences our judgments of the world. How we need the Lord to purify our hearts.

Episode 28 -- Imitation of Christ II.3 -- On the Character of a Peaceable Man

We read about the important of peace of heart. We cannot have peace with others if we are not at peace with ourselves. Having a good conscience, being right with God, is a gift. But having peace of heart is only the foundation. Being a truly peaceable person requires us to put up with all kinds of people, not only the ones who are kind to us. How do we find the way to be at peace with very difficulty people? Much grace!

Episode 27 -- Imitation of Christ II.2 -- On Humbling Ourselves Before Others

What is a real sign of spiritual growth?

Considering others as better than ourselves. In this reading, The imitation urges us not to worry so much what other people think of us. He tries to persuade us that it does not matter so much whether this or that person agrees or disagrees with us. Is God on our side or not? In fact, is it not sometimes very valuable for our spiritual lives when human beings neglect us?

Episode 26 -- Imitation of Christ II.1 -- Cultivating an Interior Life Focused on Christ

We read the long opening chapter of book 2 of The Imitation of Christ. Thomas a Kempis puts before us the main goal of book 2: interior union with Christ. We are not just imitating Christ from the outside. We want to have a taste of his own interior states. We want to Be like Christ within so that we can act like he acted.

Episode 25 -- Imitation of Christ I.25 -- On Zeal for Spiritual Progress

What is the one model we need for the whole of our spiritual lives?

Christ Crucified. We read about how Christ on the Cross shows us the perfect example of every good and holy kind of action. As we try to figure out how to live, we must keep our eyes on the Lord of glory, nailed to the Cross. Chapter 25 is the final chapter in book 1. The general theme of this chapter is our need for zeal. Zeal is an effect of divine love. Zeal makes us eager to get rid of hinderances to holiness. What are we zealous for? What should be our main concern? Doing God's will in all its manifestations so as to grow in spiritual perfection, Christian holiness.

Episode 24 -- Imitation of Christ I.24 -- On Judgement and the Punishments of Hell

What will matter to us at the moment of death when we face judgment?

Our love for God. In this chapter, Thomas a Kempis tries to persuade us to think of our life in light of eternity. He wants us to consider what follows death, namely, judgement. We will have to give an account of our entire life. We will not be able to take anything from this world with us except the good deeds we have done out of charity. In addition to encouraging us to ponder this judgement, Thomas a Kempis wants us to understand that the punishments of hell are worse than anything in this life.

Episode 23 -- Imitation of Christ I.23 -- Thinking about death

What should we ponder each day?

Our death. In chapter 23, Thomas a Kempis tries to persuade us of the advantages of thinking about the day of our death. He tries to show how short this life is. He shows how foolish it is to assume we will live a long life. He wants us to value this life for its main purpose: preparing us for eternity.

Episode 22 -- Imitation of Christ I.22 -- A View of Man’s Misery

What should we think about this life?

A gift from God and A Misery due to sin. In chapter 22, The Imitation paints a very clear picture of our fallen condition. The main objective is to encourage us to stand strong in the face of disappointments. Every life, even the life of the most famous people, has difficulties. Then we must also consider all the sufferings caused by our sins. Truly this life cannot be all there is. Truly this life will not make us fully happy. Let us beg the Lord for the grace to run the race that is set before us.

Episode 21 -- Imitation of Christ I.21 -- On Holy Sorrow and Fear of the Lord

Besides wanting to be close to God, what other inward disposition should we pray for, especially in Holy Week?

Holy Sorrow. In chapter 21, Thomas a Kempis places before us our need to pray for the fear of the Lord. Why? The fear of the Lord, the Psalms teach, is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Fear of the Lord has different degrees. But building on our faith in God's goodness, fear makes us feel REVERENCE towards God. Fear makes us afraid of sinning because we do not want to be separated from His love. From this fear of the Lord, we grow to hate our sins and all the ways we block out His mercy. This holy hatred leads us to a holy sorrow, a true sadness at sin.

Episode 20 -- Imitation of Christ I.20 -- Solitude, Silence, and Living in Divine Intimacy

What are some of the best means of growing in intimacy with our Creator?

Learning to love solitude. In this episode's reading, Thomas a Kempis stresses the need to love being along with Jesus. Once again he is first and foremost talking to monks and priests. But he lays down principles that are crucial for all those who want to live in greater familiarity with the Lord. What is clear is that this chapter is the fruit of experience. When he speaks of the remorse and regret for forgetting about God"s will and just trying to have a good time, his words suggest that Thomas a Kempis is writing from what he knows first hand. He is passing on to us what he had learned about the best use of one"s time.

Episode 19 -- Imitation of Christ I.19 -- On the Pious Practices of a Good Monk (and Good Laymen)

Can people in the world profit from knowing how a monk should live? 

Yes! We read about advice for the daily life of a monk. But really the advice is very general advice that almost all people can follow. What is especially useful is his suggestions for what to do every morning (resolutions) and evening (taking account of the day's behaviour). We should never forget that lay people for centuries have been reading and profiting from this masterpiece.

Episode 18 -- Imitation of Christ I.18 -- On The Example of the Saints of Old

To whom can we look for human inspiration?

The saints who have gone before us! We read an exhortation to order the example of the ancient holy men who followed Christ so bravely and prayerfully. St Philip Neri, for example, was called, "man of primitive times." Why? He longed to have contact with the saints of the early Church. He longed to love God the way they did. So can we!

Episode 17 -- Imitation of Christ I.17 -- On Joining a Monastery

Why should one become a monk?

To seek God and to save one's soul. This episode's reading describes what life in a monastery or community is like. The description might not appear at first to be useful for people in the world. But there are many lessons for everyone in this reading. What is the way to true peace in this world? Self-abasement out of love of Jesus.

Episode 16 -- Imitation of Christ I.16 -- On Putting up with other People’s Faults

What is the Lord's frequent ways of helping us grow in patience?

The faults of other people. We will receive instruction on the best way to react to the mistakes and sins of those around us. The Imitation gives us reasons to welcome the faults of others in terms of our own spiritual growth. The book then tackles a couple of our favourite objections to putting up with others. The Imitation helps us see our inconsistencies and hypocrisy in how demanding we can be of others.

Episode 15 -- Imitation of Christ I.15 -- On Charity as the Motive of Our Actions

What matters most to God in our actions?

The charity behind the action. Charity means divine love. "Charity is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Charity enables us to prefer God to all other things and to love all things on account of God who made them. The great commandment of Christ is to love one another as He loves us.

Episode 14 -- Imitation of Christ I.14 -- Avoiding Hasty Estimations

What does our hidden self-seeking and personal preferences often make us form?

Hasty estimates of situations and people. Instead of waiting for all the evidence to appear and to make a fair assessment, we often too quickly form an estimation of others. We rush to criticize. Thomas a Kempis warns us in chapter 14 about some of the hidden motivations for such estimates. He helps to uncover some of reasons we lack objectivity.

Episode 13 -- Imitation of Christ I.13 -- Value of Temptations

We read the long and wonderful chapter on the value of temptations for the spiritual life. Among the points that The Imitation makes is this one: temptations, rightly understood, can help us grow in humility. God even allows us to fall into small sins so that we will grow in our awareness of our inherent weakness. If we are so prone to fall through small temptations, how much more vigilant do we need to be in regards to more dangerous temptations to more serious sins? All of us will face temptations, some more than others. But all these temptations, these trials, are known and allowed by God for our sanctification. He never allows us to be tempted beyond our strength, the strength that he offers us.

Episode 12 -- Imitation of Christ I.12 -- Why Things Sometimes Go Against Us

Is it good sometimes to have our own will thwarted?

Yes. The Imitation of Christ discusses some of the reasons why God allows us to go through difficult situations and to have our own desires frustrated. This chapter even discusses why God allows us to undergo more interior trials. God has many things to teach us about this life (an exile) and about ourselves.

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.