Thomas a Kempis: few bearers of His cross

Thursday, November 5, 2020
Meditation:
    Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
    But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
    —Matthew 8:21-22 (NIV)
Quotation:
    Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many seekers of comfort, but few of tribulation. He findeth many companions of His table, but few of His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, few are willing to undergo anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat of His loaves, but few that they may drink of the cup of His passion. Many are astonished at His miracles, few follow after the shame of His Cross. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities happen to them. Many praise Him and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hide Himself and withdraw a little while, they fall either into complaining or into too great dejection of mind.
    ... Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471), Of the Imitation of Christ [1418], Leipzig: Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1877, II.xi, p. 103 (see the book)
    See also Matt. 8:21-27; 16:24,25; John 16:33; Acts 14:21-22; Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, help me to recognize trials, so that I might never despair. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
    search    script    mobile
sub    fb    twt    Jonah    Ruth