the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter lii (that a man ought not to reckon himself worthy of consolation but more worthy of chastisement)

THAT A MAN OUGHT NOT TO RECKON HIMSELF WORTHY OF CONSOLATION, BUT MORE WORTHY OF CHASTISEMENT “O Lord, I am not worthy of Your consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation, and therefore, You deal justly with me, when You leave me poor and desolate. For if I were able to pour forth tears like the [...]

the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter li (that we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty)

THAT WE MUST GIVE OURSELVES TO HUMBLE WORKS WHEN WE ARE UNEQUAL TO THOSE THAT ARE LOFTY “” My Son, you are not always able to continue in very fervent desire after virtues, nor to stand fast in the loftier region of contemplation, but you must, of necessity, sometimes descend to lower things because of [...]

the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter l (how a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God)

HOW A DESOLATE MAN OUGHT TO COMMIT HIMSELF INTO THE HANDS OF GOD “O Lord, Holy Father, be You blessed now and evermore, because as You will, so it is done, and what You do is good. Let Your servant rejoice in You, not in himself, nor in any other, because You alone are the [...]

the imitation of Christ, the 3rd book: chapter xlix (the desire after eternal life and how great blessings are promised to those who strive)

THE DESIRE AFTER ETERNAL LIFE, AND HOW GREAT BLESSINGS ARE PROMISED TO THOSE WHO STRIVE ““My Son, when you feel the desire of eternal happiness to be poured into you from above, and longest to depart from the tabernacle of this body, that you may contemplate My glory without shadow of turning, enlarge your heart, [...]