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Imitation of Christ,
by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapters 7, 40
That man has no
good of himself, and that he cannot glory in anything Lord, what is man,
that Thou art mindful of him; or the son of man, that Thou visit him? What
has man deserved that Thou should give him grace? Lord, what cause have I
to complain, if Thou forsakest me, or what can I justly allege, if what I
petition Thou shalt not grant? This most assuredly, I may truly think and
say: Lord I am nothing, I can do nothing of myself, that is good, but I am
in all things defective and ever tend to nothing. And unless I am assisted
and interiorly instructed by Thee, I become wholly tepid and relaxed, but
Thou, O Lord, art always the same, and endurest unto eternity, ever good,
just and holy, doing all things well, justly and holily and disposing them
in wisdom.
But I who am more inclined to go back, than to go forward, continue not always
in one state, for I am changed, seven different times. But it quickly becomes
better when it pleases Thee, and Thou stretchest out Thy helping hand: for
Thou alone, without man's aid can assist me and so strengthen me, that my
countenance shall be more diversely changed: but my heart be converted and
find its rest in Thee alone.
He who would be too secure in time of peace will often be found too much
dejected in time of war. If you could always continue to be humble and little
in your own eyes, and keep your spirit in due order and subjection, you would
not fall so easily into danger and offense. It is good counsel that, when
you have conceived the spirit of fervor, you should meditate how it will
be when that light shall be withdrawn.
Prayers
for the 12-Day Preparatory Period |
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