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Imitation of
Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 25
On the Fervent Amendment of our Whole Life
When a certain
anxious person, who often times wavered between hope and fear, once
overcome with sadness, threw himself upon the ground in prayer, before
one of the altars in the Church and thinking these things in his mind,
said "Oh, if I only knew how to persevere," that very instant he heard
within him, this heavenly answer: "And if thou didst know this, what
would thou do? Do now what you would do, and thou shall be perfectly
secure." And immediately being consoled, and comforted, he committed
himself to the Divine Will, and his anxious thoughts ceased. He no
longer wished for curious things; searching to find out what would
happen to him, but studied rather to learn what was the acceptable and
perfect will of God for the beginning and the perfection of every good
work.
"Hope in the Lord," said the Prophet, "And do all good, and inhabit the
land, and thou shall be fed of the riches thereof." There is one thing
that keeps many back from spiritual progress, and from fervor in
amendment namely: the labor that is necessary for the struggle. And
assuredly they especially advance beyond others in virtues, who strive
the most manfully to overcome the very things which are the hardest and
most contrary to them. For there a man does profit more and merit more
abundant grace, when he does most to overcome himself and mortify his
spirit. All have not, indeed, equal difficulties to overcome and
mortify, but a diligent and zealous person will make a greater progress
though he have more passions than another, who is well regulated but
less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.
Prayers for the 12-Day
Preparatory Period
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