Thomas a Kempis

 

Today the Church remembers Thomas a Kempis, a priest, monk and writer, who was born in Germany around 1380 and died in 1471.  He is most known for his book, The Imitation of Christ, which he wrote between 1418 and 1427.  The book is one of the most widely read Christian works.  Thomas a Kempis places great emphasis on the interior life, the life of contemplation, as opposed to the active life of Christian works of charity.

 

It is divided into four sections: (1) “Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life”, (2) “Directives for the Interior Life”, (3) “On Interior Consolation” and (4) “On the Blessed Sacrament”.

 

The Imitation of Christ has influenced many people, including John Wesley and John Newton, the founders of the Methodist Movement, who said that the book influenced them at their conversion.

 

Here is a sample from The Imitation of Christ:

 

When God bestows Spiritual comfort, receive it with a grateful heart; but remember that it comes of God’s free gift, and not of your own merit. Do not be proud, nor over joyful, nor foolishly presumptuous; rather, be the more humble for this gift, more cautious, and more prudent in all your doings, for this hour will pass, and temptation will follow it. When comfort is withdrawn, do not immediately despair, but humbly and patiently await the will of Heaven; for God is able to restore you to a consolation even richer than before. This is nothing new or strange to those who know the ways of God, for the great Saints and Prophets of old often experienced these changes. ...Indeed, the temptation that precedes is often a sign of comfort to follow. For heavenly comfort is promised to those who have been tried and tempted.” To him who overcomes,” says God, “I will give to eat of the Tree of Life.”

 

Let us pray:  Holy Father, who have nourished and strengthened your Church by the writings of your servant Thomas a Kempis: Grant that we may learn from him to know what we ought to know, to love what we ought to love, to praise what highly pleases you, and always to seek to know and follow your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Paint to the Music: going through to Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm at Bright-Davies Hall, the Art Room.

 

Contemporary Moral Issues: 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  Last week we discussed Plato’s and Aristotle’s approach to the purpose of life and morality.  Next week we will ask the question: “What is the purpose of life from a Christian perspective?” Then we will look at natural law, divine law and human law.

  

St. Augustine’s Feast Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 25 August 2013 at the 9:00 a.m. service followed by a pot luck lunch.  This is the 129^th anniversary of the church. 
 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Henry and Marguerite who are recuperating from their hospital stays.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550