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Imitation of Christ, 1, 5, Reading the Holy Scripture [Devotional]
WorkofGod.org ^ | 1441 | Thomas a Kempis

Posted on 09/07/2007 7:15:27 AM PDT by Salvation

Imitation of Jesus Christ - Reading the Holy Scripture  Reading the Holy Scripture

TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished diction.
Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the authority of the writer, whether he be a great literary light or an insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many ways without regard for persons.
Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read and pass by.
If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for they were not made without purpose.
Imitation of Jesus Christ - Reading the Holy Scripture


TOPICS: Catholic; Moral Issues; Prayer; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: bible; catholic; catholiclist
For your thoughtful and prayerful meditation and response
1 posted on 09/07/2007 7:15:31 AM PDT by Salvation
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To: nickcarraway; sandyeggo; Lady In Blue; NYer; american colleen; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ...
Imitation of Christ Devotional Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Imitation of Christ Devotional Ping List.

Also, many Protestants have asked me to put them on this ping list. I will gladly do so, but they will not get all the Catholic pings.

2 posted on 09/07/2007 7:20:06 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
The Religion Moderator gave me permission to copy the rules from the Chambers' thread (with a few alterations) which I think are applicable. Thank you to the RM!

Come to these threads as you are; leave with what you have discovered.

Absolutely no flaming! These daily threads are intended to be devotional in nature. If a particular day's offering says nothing to you, please just go on and wait for the next day. Consider these threads a DMZ of sorts, a place where a perpetual truce is in effect and a place where all other arguments and disagreements from other times and places are left behind.

I can attest from personal experience (Salvation's)  that reading from Imitation of Christ daily will almost certainly change - not one's faith - but one's perspective of his/her own faith, and open up new vistas in your spiritual life. If - when - this happens to a reader of these threads, and they choose to share what has happened within them - we are treading on hallowed ground. Be respectful.

- Religion Moderator



3 posted on 09/07/2007 7:21:01 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
Christ In The Garden Of Gethsemane art print by Heinrich Hofmann 

 

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST

BY

THOMAS KEMPIS

A very powerful spiritual guidance for the soul who seeks to imitate Jesus Christ. 

Learn from me, because I am meek and humble of heart. Mat. 11:29


4 posted on 09/07/2007 7:22:05 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All

A lot of wisdom here for being written in 1441, isn’t there?


5 posted on 09/07/2007 7:24:47 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
Imitation of Christ -- Foreword [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ, 1,1 - Imitating Jesus Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1,2, Having A Humble Opinion of Self [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 3, The Doctrine of Truth [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ: 1, 4, Prudence in Action [Devotional]
Imitation of Christ, 1, 5, Reading the Holy Scripture [Devotional]
6 posted on 09/07/2007 7:27:15 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

Thanks Salvation,prayer bump.


7 posted on 09/07/2007 8:55:29 AM PDT by fatima (Baby alert,Baby Ava arrived 6-29-07 at 3 PM-she is 10 pounds:))
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To: fatima

These really are wonderful, aren’t they?


8 posted on 09/07/2007 9:06:52 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation
They are.They remind me how bad I am :)Takes me back to a simpler time in my prayer life.
9 posted on 09/07/2007 9:17:02 AM PDT by fatima (Baby alert,Baby Ava arrived 6-29-07 at 3 PM-she is 10 pounds:))
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To: All

Devotional bump.


10 posted on 09/07/2007 11:13:31 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

**If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for they were not made without purpose.**

Again some wise words. Especially for me.


11 posted on 09/07/2007 11:34:02 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

“The Holy Scripture is the domain of Wisdom, Word and Spirit, of God in the Trinity: in it He clearly manifests Himself: ‘The Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,’ [+John 6:63] said the Lord. The writings of the Holy Fathers are again the expression of the Mind, Word and Spirit of the Holy Trinity, in which the spirit of the higher spiritual class of mankind has largely participated; the writings of ordinary worldly men are the expression of the fallen spirit of men, with all their sinful attachments, habits and passions.In Holy Scriptures we see God face to face, and ourselves as we are. Man, know thy self through them, and walk always as in the presence of God.” +John of Kronstadt


12 posted on 09/08/2007 4:24:15 AM PDT by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!)
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