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Steady_Eddy
Guest
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A kempis.
Second only to the Bible.
2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry
Second only to the Bible.
2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry
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Brickmaker
Guest
Strange, then, that Thomas a Kempis is not a saint…
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Hesychios
Guest
From what I recall, the reason he is not canonized is an odd one, but he may be a saint nonetheless in the mind of God. Not for us to judge him, but we are free to have an opinion of his writings.
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TrueLight
Guest
Have you read Introduction to the Devout Life? I find it just as awesome!
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hudson
Guest
I bought that for my library recently. I thought it would be a good idea to buy a 1900ish used one that was in good shape. Now I am scared to open it for fear it might fall apart. Doh. I haven’t read either book yet, but I plan on them being my next 2.
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TrueLight
Guest
I know what you mean! The priest who instructed me gave me a very old copy with cloth binding and it was falling apart. I ended up buying another copy on Amazon because I didn’t want to give it back to him in tatters!
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Steady_Eddy
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Hi everyone, Thanks for your response.
Hello TrueLight,
Yes I have read the book you mentioned and countless others too over the years. Ever since my youth and especially since my early twenties I’ve read an incredible amount. Had very sore eyes for a time, but the incredible thing is at 60 years old now my eyesight is still very good, I don’t need glasses. The two books that I really devoured, and that have helped me most over the years are the Bible and the Imitation. I don’t actually remember where I read the following but it was said of St Therese (Little Flower) that she knew the Imitation off by heart. Here’s a short excerpt below, just one of many that I love.
“Blessed is the soul who hears the Lord speaking within her, who receives the word of consolation from His lips. Blessed are the ears that catch the accents of divine whispering, and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world. Blessed indeed are the ears that listen, not to the voice which sounds without, but to the truth which teaches within. Blessed are the eyes which are closed to exterior things and are fixed upon those which are interior. Blessed are they who penetrate inwardly, who try daily to prepare themselves more and more to understand mysteries. Blessed are they who long to give their time to God, and who cut themselves off from the hindrances of the world.
Consider these things, my soul, and close the door of your senses, so that you can hear what the Lord your God speaks within you. “I am your salvation,” says your Beloved. “I am your peace and your life. Remain with Me and you will find peace. Dismiss all passing things and seek the eternal. What are all temporal things but snares? And what help will all creatures be able to give you if you are deserted by the Creator?” Leave all these things, therefore, and make yourself pleasing and faithful to your Creator so that you may attain to true happiness”.
The Imitation of Christ
Book Three, Chapter One
2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry
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PJM
Guest
Hi Eddy,
INDEED a GREAT Spiritual book. I have read it twice. BUT for ME; I like Archbishops Sheens “Life of Christ” and try to read it annually
God Bless,
Pat
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Steady_Eddy
Guest
Hi Pat,Hi Eddy,
INDEED a GREAT Spiritual book. I have read it twice. BUT for ME; I like Archbishops Sheens “Life of Christ” and try to read it annually
God Bless,
Pat
Since learning how to use the Internet I have enjoyed listening to Bishop Sheen on YouTube, he had a wonderful sense of humour too.
2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry
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sicutincensum
Guest
“The Imitation of Christ” is THE book. If I’d land on a desert island, I would like to have with me the Holy Bible and the Imitation of Christ!
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