Chapter IV of Book III of Thomas à Kempis’s The Imitation of Christ: “How We Should Live in God’s Presence in Truth and Humility.”  In this chapter, Kempis continues two prevalent themes in this work: veritas and humilitas.  Seek truth from God and not the world and remember your own wretchedness and the need for grace to do anything good.  Above, Kempis has Christ respond in this way to the disciple who asks to be taught, guarded, and kept in this life so that he can attain eternal life.

Today’s Gospel (Jn 15:12-17) repeats the last six verses of yesterday’s reading in which Jesus commands (and then reiterates to) His disciples to love one another if they wish to remain in his friendship.

In human relationships, we would not expect to remain in good standing with friends if we constantly betrayed and scorned them.  We would likely think something was wrong with them if they continued to accept this sort of behavior from us.  Why, then, would we think that, with Almighty God, anything goes?  It is true, of course, that the Lord awaits our return, no matter how egregious our behavior toward Him or our fellow mortals.  But He will not save us against our will.  Now, He has been very generous to us in giving us Divine Revelation safeguarded by the Church as the fountain of truth to rightly satiate our thirsty consciences.  But, if we do not listen, if we wish to sever those ties with God, we have only ourselves to blame — we condemn ourselves.

So let us always strive for the Truth, that is, Jesus because, as He said:

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (Jn 8:31-32)

Jesus saying farewell to his eleven remaining disciples (1308-1311) by Duccio

Kempis closes out this chapter (3,3) with the proper attitude of a servant toward his Master: do God’s will, be worthy of the name Christian, be humble realizing that I am nothing and God is everything, and all wisdom comes from God.  The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves and has conceived of us before we were a hint in our parents’ minds (see Jer 1:5).

Jesus uses the word love eight times in the nine verses included in today’s Gospel reading (Jn 15:9-17).  How do we prove our love?  Jesus says, “keep my commandments.”  This is how a person’s joy is made complete, so that he may remain in God’s love.  Jesus goes on to say: “love one another as I love you.”  This is how we stay friends with Christ.  The words in the headline lead to His conclusion where He again issues the command to “love one another.”

Kempis and Jesus are on the same page (a good page to be on): God knew us and chose us from all eternity.  He comes to us — we have no power on our own to go to Him.  We recognize this in all humility.  We also acknowledge the Messiah’s mission for us: to do His will.  This is made perfect in love.  The Ten Commandments are our guideposts for this task (see Ex 20:1-17).  The first three commandments pertain to love of God; the concluding seven have to do with love of neighbor.  This is true wisdom: to love God above all things and, in turn, to view others as God views them.  This is, it hardly needs to be said, truly difficult, as well.  But with God’s grace all things are possible (see Mt 19:26).  Let us ask for this gift unceasingly.  In a world in which divisiveness, hate, and despair seem to have the upper hand, let us do our part to bring the unity, love, and joy of God.

“Lord, save us from gloomy saints,” has been attributed to the great mystic and master of the spiritual life, St. Teresa of Avila.  What a beautiful sentiment.  Being in right relationship with the Lord should be thrilling!  Bearing fruit, as appointed by Jesus for us to do, should render us ecstatic!  Spreading the Good News should be a joy (see here)!

To the One who gave us everything what else must we do but give it all back in spades.

After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (Mt 25:19-21,29)

That is some great reward.

Parable of the Talents by Willem de Poorter (1608-1668)

Kempis puts the words above on Christ’s lips (3,3).  In this rather lengthy monologue, the Lord bemoans the fact that so many listen to the world and the flesh, even in small matters, than they listen to Him.  It will not turn out for these unfaithful ones.

Jesus’ lengthy Last Supper Discourse continues with the famous analogy of the vine and the branches (Jn 15:1-8).  Remain attached to Jesus (the vine), feeding from Him (as branches do), accepting the pruning of the Father (the vine grower), and one bears much fruit.  Those who do not desire the life giving nourishment of the Lord wither, die, and are tossed into the fire.

How do we bear fruit?  By having “[Christ’s] words remain in [us].”  In these posts, I never tire of tying belief in Jesus with living an authentically Christian life. Those who claim that belief and salvation only entail a verbal acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord and Savior, without concern for behavior, scandalize Christians and non-Christians alike.  We are called to interiorize the Gospel then exteriorize it in word and deed.  Jesus today, and repeatedly in the Gospels, speaks of the necessity of good works to attain heavenly glory (never forgetting the gift of grace necessary to do such deeds).  Meanwhile, this disposition also allows us to bear much fruit here: the Lord closes this passage by saying that doing so is the mark of a disciple.  Will their be pain involved?  Guaranteed.  It hurts to be pruned of our worldly affections and disordered inclinations.  But the gain is eternal life for us and for those whom Christ brings along by working through us.

Chapter III of Book III of The Imitation of Christ deals with listening to the Word with humility while recognizing that so many persons take Scripture lightly.  The voice of the world is powerful but ultimately leads to one’s downfall.  The faithful, though, will be tried and tested, as we read above.  In the end, Jesus rewards, but not before the most challenging trials are met by those deeply devoted to Him.

In today’s first reading (Acts 14:19-28), we hear of the stoning of Paul before he and Barnabas travel to a number of Gentile cities, sharing the Good News with success, before returning to Antioch to spend time with other disciples.

How things can turn on a dime, can’t they?  When we left off yesterday, we heard that Paul and Barnabas were considered gods by the pagans of Lystra because of a miraculous healing performed in the midst of the people.  Today, picking up with the verses immediately following this event, we discover that Jewish agitators from other regions come to rile up the selfsame crowd to kill Paul.

Now, I don’t believe Paul was faking his death to stop the onslaught of rocks; rather; he was likely unconscious and severely battered.  I can imagine the horror and sadness of those disciples who thought him dead.  It seems to me quite significant that Luke (the evangelist author of Acts) mentions that “the disciples gathered around” the apparently lifeless Paul.  The prayers and supplications of his friends that Paul be allowed to continue his powerful ministry must have been fervent.  Imagine their great joy when, prayers answered, he pops up and boldly heads back into the city.

Saul was zealous in his persecution of Christians.  His dramatic conversion turned that zeal around without diminishing it — in fact it was likely stronger since he was now part of the minority.  Desiring his eternal reward (Phil 1:20-26), nevertheless he was steadfast in preaching the whole truth regardless of consequences.  He had personal struggles and public disappointments.  A more devout person to Christ might never be known, yet he was severely tried.  This stoning we heard proclaimed today was certainly one of the harshest events recorded about Paul in Scripture but by no means the only one (2 Cor 11:23-28)

We should expect to be tried; even more so as our devotion deepens.  Let it never hinder our desire to evangelize as we anticipate the divine remuneration that awaits those who persevere till the end.

The Stoning of St Paul and St Barnabas at Lystra by Barent Fabritius (1624-1673)

The words above are in Kempis’s opening section in this chapter on how truth speaks within us (3,2).  Here he echoes several Old Testament themes.  Of particular note is the second part which finds its origins in Deut 32:2.  We are also reminded of the miraculous manna in the desert that appeared nearly every day — after the dew evaporated — to the hungry and complaining Israelites in Exodus (see Ex 16; more on this below).

Jesus continues His Last Supper discourse today focusing on obeying the commandments (Jn 14:21-26).  One cannot authentically claim to love Jesus and not obey Him.  By keeping Christ’s words (that is, keeping the life of grace alive in us by not mortally sinning), we have the promise of the indwelling of the Trinity (Father and Son are mentioned above, the Holy Spirit [who “will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you”] is mentioned at the end of the reading).

Kempis’s sentiments may well have been in the hearts of many of the men celebrating Passover with Jesus.  This was a difficult time for everyone in the room and certainly they were seeking, in a special way, understanding of Jesus’ testament through docility of their troubled hearts.  The Eleven, at least, truly loved the Lord, so would have been heartened to hear about the indwelling of God even if they did not understand how this would be accomplished; they would experience this very soon that evening, though.  Jesus, as the new and perfect Manna, was about to give them His very self in the first Eucharist that He celebrated.  But He had been giving Himself to them in word their entire time together over the past three years.  His preaching was to settle like dew in their hearts turning into the true manna that comes from heaven.

We, too, should never miss an opportunity to show our love for Christ by inviting Him into our very being in Word and Sacrament at the Mass, and also through study and devotional reading of Scripture, alone or with friends, while asking the Lord to be with us often in spiritual communion.

Talk is cheap (see Mt 7:21).  Our love for Christ is demonstrated through our actions. Let us always be docile and accepting of the truth of the Word so that we never lose the life of grace within us.

Detail from Institution of the Eucharist (1441) by Fra Angelico

The next chapter of Thomas à Kempis’s The Imitation of Christ is entitled “How Truth Speaks within Us without Noise of Words” (3,2).  The words above are in the closing section, repeating the first words of the chapter.  Kempis urges us to be like Samuel in the Old Testament who responds to the mysterious voice that he finally understands to be God calling him: “Speak, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:9-10).  We are to invite the Lord to speak directly to our hearts the “words of eternal life.”

Today’s reading is an extended version of the reading from just two days ago.  It is the beginning of Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse in John (14:1-12).  Friday’s excerpt ended with the words above.  Today, Jesus goes on to explain the relationship between Himself and the Father to His apostles who lack understanding.  The Father is in Jesus and Jesus is doing the Father’s will.  Jesus will be returning to the Father so that the apostles can do even greater deeds than they witnessed Jesus performing.

Jesus, in today’s Gospel, gives us the perfect ground and program for relating to Him.  He is the way we must follow by accepting the truth of divine revelation (He is the Word) in order to attain eternal life.  Yes, we are to ask the Lord to speak to our hearts and then listen attentively to His message for us.  We listen at prayer, while reading Scripture, while studying the Faith, and while being advised by persons aligned with the Church.  So, Jesus speaks to us in various ways.  Let us always be attentive to the authentic voice of the savior so that we, like Samuel and Peter (see Jn 6:68), will never hesitate to confess (and live) the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior who came to offer us everlasting life with the Trinity.

Kempis continues to warn against worldly voices that contradict the truth or, much more prevalent in recent times, deny there even is objective truth (3,1).  God has given us a conscience (our interior student) to help us know the truth.  But it must be informed by the Church (certainly not the world) to follow the proper path.

Today’s first reading (Acts 13:44-52) is from the chapter of Acts in which the Lord sends Paul (with Barnabas) on his first missionary journey.  Immediately preceding today’s excerpt, Paul gave a long speech in the synagogue in Antioch covering salvation history through the Resurrection and appearance of Jesus afterward (the early part of this speech was proclaimed at yesterday’s Mass).  From this they were asked to return the following Sabbath to preach further.  And their evangelization gained the two men followers.  Due to the Jewish religious leaders’ jealousy in the popularity of Paul and Barnabas, when they returned, they “with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said” and ultimately stirred up enough dissension to drive them from the city.  Yet, per the excerpt in the headline, the Gentiles who embraced the truth of the disciples’ mission “[a]ll who were destined for eternal life came to believe.”

The prominent Jews made a lot of noise in trying to dissuade Paul’s hearers of the truth of his message.  Those with ears to hear, and hearts open to God, were delighted to receive these holy men and embrace (and help spread) the Good News.  The Gentiles were cut to the heart, receptive to the Word, and thus were on the road to salvation.  Interiorly they were moved while shunning the exterior noise of dissenting voices.

Do not let your hearts be troubled (Jn 14:1)

Good advice from Our Lord that we heard at yesterday’s celebration.  Let us never allow the voice of the world to dissuade, confuse, or disturb us from the truth no matter how cacophonous it becomes.  And may we never be reluctant “to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for [our] hope” (1 Pt 3:15).

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra (1592/3) by Jacob Pynas

Kempis here is talking about interior conversations with Christ (3,1).  How important it is that we are attuned to the Lord’s communication with us!  It is the perfect remedy for the “whispers of the world” that want us to focus on anything but the divine.  How to best be open to this?  Kempis, later in the chapter, speaks of “shut[ting] the doors to sensuality, so that you may hear what the Lord your God says inside of you.”  Yes, a love for silence is necessary for intimate communion with the Trinity.

In today’s Gospel we get the beginning of the famous Last Supper discourse extending over several chapters (Jn 14:1-6).  Jesus gives the apostles wonderful news in their trepidation: “Do not let your hearts be troubled”!  Keep the faith and He will lead you home in the end.  What is the way to the Father in heaven?  Jesus is “the way” because in Him is found “the truth” and through Him we have the possibility of eternal “life.”

Unlike Jesus’ apostles, the vast majority of the faithful have had to rely on interior conversations with the Lord Jesus.  He certainly wishes to communicate with us in this way, and Kempis helps us to be disposed to His voice.  But, remember that Christ speaks to us in many ways.  His words in Scripture (the Word’s words) are timeless.

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

Have recourse to regular quiet time with the Lord.  Speak as you would to a friend (see Jn 15:15).  And find inspiration in the Bible, as well.

[T]he “Word” of God [is] a word which is “not a written and mute word, but the Word is incarnate and living” (CCC 108)

Being the “living” Word because Jesus lives, Scripture speaks to us in all our needs, and delivers the message we need in every circumstance.  In it we find the truth of the way to life, a “sweet murmur of divine inspirations” countering the forked-tongue hiss of the “whispers of the world.”

Christ Exhortation to the Twelve Apostles (between 1886 and 1894) by James Tissot

Today we begin Book III of Thomas à Kempis’s The Imitation of Christ.  This longest of the four books that comprise this work is entitled, “Of Interior Consolation.”  The first chapter is “The Interior Conversation of Christ with a Faithful Soul.”  The first line of the first chapter of the third book is found above.  A good way to begin, no?  If we want to understand God’s will for us we need to hear it.  If we long to converse with God, it must be a discussion, not a monologue.   If we desire contemplation and inspiration, we must be attentive interiorly while shutting out worldly noise.

Happily, in beginning this new book of the Imitation, we also kick off several weeks of working through The Book of Glory, chapters 13-20 of John’s Gospel which opens with the Last Supper.  Today we read of the aftermath of Jesus’ washing of the feet of the apostles (an episode only found in John) (Jn 13:16-20).  Jesus’ opening words in this excerpt direct the apostles to imitate Him.  If it is not beneath Jesus, the King of Kings (see 1 Tim 6:15), to act as a servant/slave (as it was normally the job of such a one to perform such a menial task as foot washing) were His closest followers to consider it beneath them to do the same?  And what was their reward for being the servant of all: “blessed are you.”  Jesus then, somewhat obscurely, predicts His betrayal as proof that He is “I AM,” that is God, and then declares these men sent.

Yes, it is the best advice we can receive to “hear what the Lord God” says to us.  This means more than just hearing but really listening.  It is an active listening that should lead us to action.  Like the apostles in the upper room, we too are sent, looking to our Master for guidance, and following in His footsteps.  He closes this section with these words: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me.”  This double amen is used occasionally by Christ (see here for an interesting overview) for additional emphasis, a particularly hearty “listen up!”  If we want to be received as Our Lord we must present ourselves as He would present Himself.  Sometimes that leads to praise and admiration, more often in the Gospels, it leads to opposition and scorn.

No slave is greater than his master.

Christ Washing the Feet of the Apostles (1475) by Meister des Hausbuches

Kempis (2,12) does not hesitate to frequently reiterate the necessity of imitating Christ (thus the title of the book).  Conforming ourselves to Jesus is an ongoing challenge — living an authentically Christian life is difficult, made even more so by a culture that is increasingly militating against objectively true moral values.  In a paradox, this increasing difficulty — and the persecution that may come with it — is actually a vehicle to allow us to draw closer to Christ by accepting this cross without complaint and in a manner that our Lord embraced it and carried it to His execution.

Today’s Gospel reading (Jn 12:44-50) brings us to the very end of the so-called “Book of Signs,” that is, the first part of John.  Jesus has just made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Many have come to believe, even authorities and Gentiles, but the Pharisees remain hard-hearted toward Jesus and His message.  Today’s passage is Jesus’ last plea before Passover (and the Last Supper) to the people to accept Him and His message that, He emphatically declares, comes from God the Father.  The consequences of rejecting God have eternal ramifications, as we read at top.

The two quotes in the headline are a study in contrasts: what we are to do and what we are to avoid in relating to Jesus.  The two concepts that jump out at us in today’s reflection are Word and Cross.  These are inseparable.  The Word was made flesh (see Jn 1:14) to accomplish our redemption through the wood of the Cross.  Jesus’ whole life was leading to this (see Jn 12:27).  If we accept the Word we must accept the Cross.  All of Scripture speaks of Christ since it and He are one.  All creation waited with bated breath for the coming of the Messiah.  We are the beneficiaries of that event.  So let us know the Word well through prayer and reading so that we can accept the Cross well when it is placed on our shoulders.  Then we will be conformed to Christ and need not fear rejection on our judgment day.

The Last Judgment (1541) by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, Rome