The Imitation of Christ in Four Books [antikvár]

FOREWORD A timeless arsenal of moral armament and spiritual consol^ation, "The Imitation of Christ" is a treatise for every Christian soul. So it has been for five hundred years, and so it is today when mankind is so sorely in need of serenity and confidence. The still, small voice of a Kempis, so gentle and so forceful, is not only a permanent reminder that we must nourish the love of love and nurture the fear of fear, it tells us where and how we can renew our light and refresh our strength. The devious inclinations of our being, the dangers from within and the troubles from without, are all treated with a terseness, clearness, simplicity, and unction that are redolent of the Sacred Scriptures. But always it is to the Divine Tenant of the Eucharistic Tabernacle that we are led. One whole book of "The Imitation" is devoted to Holy Communion. This gift contains food for the hungry, and healing for the sick; it is the fountain at which the weary and parched soul may slake her thirst; it is the fruition of all life. It is at the light that streams from the Sanctuary lamp that "The Imitation of Christ" must be read. There, then, we will learn that "Christ is Love" and that the way to imitate Him and to be like Him is to love Him. It is not by vain prayers or fruitless adoration, nor in outward display, that we show our love, but we must love God in our brethren. Christ Himself said: "I give you a new commandment that you love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another."