Bountiful Goodness: Spiritual Meditations for a Deeper Union with Christ by Thomas à Kempis

Author:Thomas à Kempis [Kempis, Thomas à]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spiritual & Religion
ISBN: 9781586177782
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Published: 2013-09-17T05:00:00+00:00

9

On Recollecting One’s Heart in God

He who does not gather with me scatters.

(Matthew 12:30)

Thus says our Lord Jesus Christ. When you find yourself greatly distracted and devoid of devotion due to countless devil-inspired thoughts or because of your own heart’s bitter passions or are disturbed by the unpleasantness of others, seek out a quiet place and recollect yourself, reciting the Lord’s Prayer and the Angelic Salutation. Kneel down alone before the Holy Cross or a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary or some saint’s revered image—made to the honor of God and in that saint’s memory.

Especially ask mercy of Jesus and of Mary, of the angelic host, and of the entire heavenly court, that the grace of divine consolation be again granted you. Then from the Psalms say with holy David: “Lord, all my longing is known to You, and my sighing is not hidden from You.”1 You have been my hope, Lord, ever since my youth; I now turn to You in this time of trial.

O Lord, teach me always to follow and to fulfill Your will and to set my own aside, for this is what pleases You and is of benefit toward my own soul’s salvation. May it never happen, Lord, that I think, desire, or do anything that displeases You or is injurious to another; this is what You have asked of me and of all who serve You.

If I should do anything contrary to Your will, then in Your kindness correct me and in Your anger condemn me not. You are my God, and because I am your poor and weak-willed servant, I am, in all things and at all times, in need of Your grace and mercy.

May Your name be blessed above all, now and forever!

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