March 4, 2012: The Second Sunday of Lent

On Sundays in Lent, this blog will adopt a different approach. Instead of a devotional reading of Scripture, you will find a quote from the Christian classic, The Imitation of Christ. These passages will be selected to go along with the themes of Lent: fasting, repentance, prayer, and service. Our faith is one of action; allow these selections and the Holy Spirit to move you accordingly.

“What do you [O Lord] especially demand of a guilty and wretched sinner, except that he be contrite and humble himself for his sins? In true sorrow and humility of heart hope of forgiveness is born, the troubled conscience is reconciled, grace is found, man is preserved from the wrath to come, and God and the penitent meet with a holy kiss.

“To You, O Lord, humble sorrow for sins is an acceptable sacrifice, a sacrifice far sweeter than the perfume of incense. This is also the pleasing ointment which You would have poured upon Your sacred feet, for a contrite and humble heart You have never despised. Here is a place of refuge from the force of the enemy’s anger. Here is amended and washed away whatever defilement has been contracted elsewhere.”

Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ: “A Man Ought Not to Consider Himself Worthy of Consolation, But Rather Deserving of Chastisement.” Translated by Aloysius Croft and Harold Bolton. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2004.

February 26, 2012: The First Sunday of Lent

On Sundays in Lent, this blog will adopt a different approach. Instead of a devotional reading of Scripture, you will find a quote from the Christian classic, The Imitation of Christ. These passages will be selected to go along with the themes of Lent: fasting, repentance, prayer, and service. Our faith is one of action; allow these selections and the Holy Spirit to move you accordingly. 

     “Why wish to see what you are not permitted to have? ‘The world passes away and the concupiscence thereof.’ Sensual craving sometimes entices you to wander around, but when the moment is past, what do you bring back with you save a disturbed conscience and a heavy heart? A happy going often leads to a sad return, a merry evening to a mournful dawn. Thus, all carnal joy begins sweetly but in the end brings remorse and death…”

     “Raise your eyes to God in heaven and pray because of your sins and shortcomings. Leave vanity to the vain. Set yourself to the things which God has commanded you to do. Close the door upon yourself and call to your Jesus, your Beloved. Remain with Him in your cell, for nowhere else will you find such peace…” 

Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ: “The Love of Solitude and Silence.” Translated by Aloysius Croft and Harold Bolton. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2004.