De imitatione Christi

CAPUT III

CAPUT LI (3 - 51)

Quod humilibus insistendum est operibus, cum deficitur a summis.

Fili, non semper vales in ferventiori desiderio virtutum stare nec in altiori gradu contemplationis, sed necesse habes interdum ob originalem corruptelam ad inferiora descendere, et onus corruptibilis vitae etiam invite et cum taedio portare. Quamdiu mortale corpus geris, taedium senties et gravamen cordis. Oportet ergo saepe in carne de carnis oneere gemere, eo quod non vales spiritualibus studiis et divinae contemplationi indesinenter inhaerere.

2. Tune expedit tibi ad humilia et exteriora opera confugere, et in bonis actibus te recreare, adventum meum et supernam visitationem firma confidentia exspectare, exilium tuum et arditatem mentis patienter sufferre, donee iterum a me visiteris et ab omnibus anxietatibus libereris. Nam faciam te laborum oblivisci et interna quiete perfrui. Expandam coram te prate scripturarum, ut dilatato meorum, et dices: Non sunt condignae passiones hujus temporis ad futuram gloriam, quae revelabitur in nobis.

(2. Rom 8:18)

WHEN WE CANNOT ATTAIN TO THE HIGHEST, WE MUST PRACTICE THE HUMBLE WORKS

THE VOICE OF CHRIST

MY CHILD, you cannot always continue in the more fervent desire of virtue, or remain in the higher stage of contemplation, but because of humanity's sin you must sometimes descend to lower things and bear the burden of this corruptible life, albeit unwillingly and wearily. As long as you wear a mortal body you will suffer weariness and heaviness of heart. You ought, therefore, to bewail in the flesh the burden of the flesh which keeps you from giving yourself unceasingly to spiritual exercises and divine contemplation.

In such condition, it is well for you to apply yourself to humble, outward works and to refresh yourself in good deeds, to await with unshaken confidence My heavenly visitation, patiently to bear your exile and dryness of mind until you are again visited by Me and freed of all anxieties. For I will cause you to forget your labors and to enjoy inward quiet. I will spread before you the open fields of the Scriptures, so that with an open heart you may begin to advance in the way of My commandments. And you will say: the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory which shall be revealed to us.

CAPUT LII (3 -52)

Quod homo non reputet se consolatiene dignum, sed magis verberibus reum.

Domine, non sum dignus consolatione tua nec aliqua spirituali visitatione, et ideo juste mecum agis, quando me inopem et desolatum relinquis. Si enim ad instar maris laerymas fundere possem, adhue consolatione tua dignus non essem. Unde nihil dignus sum, quam flagellari