As the back of my copy of this book states, "After the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the all-time favorite book of Catholics throughout the world and during the more than 500 years since its first appearance." I would simply like to allow the author to speak for himself as I pull out some of my favorites from this classic.
"I had rather live a good life than a long life."
"Verily, when the Day of Judgment comes, we shall not be examined on what we have read, but what we have done; nor how learnedly we have spoken, but how religiously we have lived."
"It is then by resisting our passions, that we are to find true peace of heart, and not by being slaves to them."
"He that seeks here any other thing, than purely God and the salvation of his soul, will find nothing but trouble and sorrow."
And this certainly one of my favorites, especially in our day and age, is actually quoted from the Roman philosopher Seneca: "As often as I have been amongst men, I have returned less a man."
"If thou wouldst oftener think of thy death than of a long life, no doubt thou wouldst more fervently amend thyself."
"When a certain person in anxiety of mind was often wavering between hope and fear, and, on a time, being overwhelmed with grief, had prostrated himself in prayer in the church before a certain altar, he resolved these things within himself saying, 'If I did but know that I should persevere'; and presently he heard within himself this answer from God: 'And if thou didst know this what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst then do , and thou shalt be very secure.'
"When a man is come to this, that he seeks comfort from nothing created, then he begins perfectly to relish God; then likewise will he be well content, however matters happen to him.
Then will he neither rejoice for much, nor be sorrowful for little, but will commit himself wholly and confidently to God, who is to him all in all; to whom nothing perishes or dies, but all things live to Him and serve Him at a nod without delay."
I desire "to live under the eye of Jesus Christ by means of recollection, in His hands by resignation, and at His feet by humility."
"...for a good conscience is that which is either exempt from sin by fidelity, or cleansed from it by repentance."
God says to us, "I am accustomed to visit My elect in two ways, that is by trial and by comfort. And I read them daily two lessons, one to rebuke their vices, the other to exhort them to the increase of virtues."
"Write, read, sing, sigh , keep silence, pray, bear thy crosses manfully; eternal life is worthy of all these, and greater combats."
"...hence are we constrained to fight incessantly against the motions of nature, and to follow those of grace. Without offering this holy violence to ourselves, by which we subdue and renounce our own inclinations, it would be impossible to be saved."
"Boast not in the stature nor beauty of thy body, which is spoiled and disfigured by a little sickness."
"Faithfulness can never be measured in terms of success, but only in terms of commitment."
"Thou knowest what is expedient for my progress [Lord], and how serviceable tribulation is to rub away the rust of sin."
"We are all frail: but see thou think no one more frail than thyself."
And lastly, "But he who has not his heart within, nor God before his eyes, is easily moved with a word of censure. Whereas he that trusts in Me, and desires not to stand by his own judgment, will be free from the fear of men."
Friends, I earnestly encourage you to invest in this paperback treasury of gems from one of the great hearts and minds of Catholic history. Regardless of your Christian heritage you owe it to yourself, especially if you have been moved by some of these brief quotations.
Go with God!
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