CHAPTER II

Of thinking humbly of oneself

There is naturally in every man a desire to know, but what profiteth knowledge without the fear of God? Better of a surety is a lowly peasant who serveth God, than a proud philosopher who watcheth the stars and neglecteth the knowledge of himself. He who knoweth himself well is vile in his own sight; neither regardeth he the praises of men. If I knew all the things that are in the world, and were not in charity, what should it help me before God, who is to judge me according to my deeds?

2. Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge desire to appear learned, and to be called wise. Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul. And foolish out of measure is he who attendeth upon other things rather than those which serve to his soul’s health. Many words satisfy not the soul, but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure conscience giveth great confidence towards God.

3. The greater and more complete thy knowledge, the more severely shalt thou be judged, unless thou hast lived holily. Therefore be not lifted up by any skill or knowledge that thou hast; but rather fear concerning the knowledge which is given to thee. If it seemeth to thee that thou knowest many things, and understandest them well, know also that there are many more things which thou knowest not. Be not high-minded, but rather confess thine ignorance. Why desirest thou to lift thyself above another, when there are found many more learned and more skilled in the Scripture than thou? If thou wilt know and learn anything with profit, love to be thyself unknown and to be counted for nothing.

4. That is the highest and most profitable lesson, when a man truly knoweth and judgeth lowly of himself. To account nothing of one’s self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom. Even shouldest thou see thy neighbor sin openly or grievously, yet thou oughtest not to reckon thyself better than he, for thou knowest not how long thou shalt keep thine integrity. All of us are weak and frail; hold thou no man more frail than thyself.

WELCOME TO THE BEGINNING OF OUR LENTEN READING!

I am undecided on how much commentary I will be providing during our reading of Book 1 from the Imitation of Christ.  I think the best way is for each person to read and reflect on the writings themselves.  If there is a particular thought or idea that someone wants explained, then they can ask a question.

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Hello Everyone!  Are you ready to begin reading our Lenten book!  This year it is The Imitation of Christ (or De imitatione Christi), by Thomas à Kempis written about1418.

Why have I chosen The Imitation of Christ?  Well,  many reasons.  Supposedly, it is the second best selling book after the Bible.  The number of editions and translations exceed 2000.  It is widely read by both Catholics and Protestants.  It was written by an Augustinian Canon.  It is one of my favorite books. And the list can go on and on.

It is a manual of devotion (from the Devotio Moderna school of writing) and is written to help one pursue holiness and communion with God.  It is not an easy book.  Each chapter is short, but asks a lot.  It was intended as a spiritual path for Canons and other religious.  The style of writing is in the form of a disciple talking to Christ.  Christ is sometimes a speaker in the book.  This is part of the school of writing and not some sort of revelation received by the author.

The ideas expressed in the book come from the Bible, the works of St. Augustine and his Rule, and other Church Fathers.  The book is not very well footnoted.  So it is hard to discern where the idea comes from.  In fact, the other day I found a sentence from St. Augustine’s Confessions that was not footnoted.

I think I got my first copy of the book when I was 13 or so (I still have that one and it is the one I normally read).  Since then I have struggled to read it.  It is difficult.  Not because of the language.  But, because it is a very strict way of life.  It is the basis of how I try to live my life as a follower of Christ.

Please join me in reading Book 1 during this Lent and Easter.  I will post a chapter (they are very, very short) every Wednesday and Friday.  Sometimes, I may make comments on the chapter.

It will all start on Wednesday this week.