for your reflection

In Lenten terms, I hope I am as close to blooming as these are!

I thought I would share a few of the passages that have jumped out at me during my Lenten reading these past weeks.

This one is very reassuring, to those of us still working out the knots; from Francis De Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life.

   A slow cure, as the maxim says, is always surest. Diseases of the soul as well as those of the body come posting on horseback but leave slowly and on foot.

And, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis,

The Value of Adversity

It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.

When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then he understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found on earth.

 I admit, I have never gotten to the point of wishing for death. I have, though, realized that during times of trial, I do "lament and pray," and when things are swimming along, I sometimes forget God in my daily moment to moment. I do seem to have a pretty steady flow of things to keep me praying, so God has my number on that point.


I also was strangely touched by Chapter 23,Thoughts on Death. I have a version that has Old English. Sometimes it emphasizes the meanings of the words. I linked the modern version. I don't understand yet why that chapter grabbed me.

Blessings and Peace, 

Kelly