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Reading
Psalm 62:1-2
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place,
that I might behold your power and your glory.
Devotion
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| File:Thomas a kempis agnietenberg painting.jpg - Wikimedia Commons |
This week's painting, entitled "Thomas à Kempis on Mount Saint Agnes" dates from 1569 by an anonymous Dutch painter. The painting used to live at the Stedelijk Museum Zwolle in the Netherlands, but that museum has closed and I'm not sure where it is now. Today, 24 July, is the feast day, in the Anglican calendar, of the German-Dutch theologian Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471).
Thomas is perhaps best well known for his work, The Imitation of Christ, a devotional book compiled in the early 1400's. A classic, it is often numbered among the 'must-read' books on a spiritual director's list. One of my favorite passages is found in Book 1, Chapter 3,
A humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences. Yet learning itself is not to be blamed, or is the simple knowledge of anything whatsoever to be despised, for true learning is good in itself and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a holy life are always to be preferred. But because many are more eager to acquire much learning than to live well, they often go astray, and bear little or no fruit. If only such people were as diligent in the uprooting of vices and the panting of virtues as they are in the debating of problems, there would not be so many evils and scandals among the people, nor such laxity in communities. At the Day of Judgement, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how eloquently we have spoken, but how holily we have lived.
As for the painting, I love the rural countryside. It reminds me of the rolling hills here in Eastern Kansas. It portrays the monastery in close proximity to the town, the twin polarities of polis and religion; communal aspects that often represent the social fabric of small town/rural living. I love the clouds, the sense of silence and of solitude. Even when living in a city or at sea, I would seek out opportunities for quiet and reflection. Where do you find those moments, dear reader? Perhaps on a walk or drive? Perhaps in tending a plant on a window sill? Perhaps in reading and pondering? Perhaps in service to strangers? Find a moment this week where you can imitate some aspect of the Lord.
Prayer
Holy Father, who have nourished and strengthened your Church by the writings of your servant Thomas a Kempis: Grant that we may learn from him to know what we ought to know, to love what we ought to love, to praise what highly pleases you, and always to seek to know and follow your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Lesser Feasts and Fasts)