Here’s an idea that most will scoff at today. “It is no small matter to live in a monastery, or in a congregation, and to dwell therein without complaint and to persevere faithful till death.” Our present world consider the idea of monastic life to be a laughing matter, but more wrong they could not … More Monastic Life

An admonition from Thomas à Kempis that should make every one of us feel a little guilty: “What a man cannot amend in himself or others he must bear with patience till God ordains otherwise.” Do we bear with patience the defects of others? For must of us, the answer is no.  Instead, “We would … More Bearing Others’ Defects 

“Without charity the outward work profiteth nothing; but whatever is done out of charity, be it ever so little and contemptible, all becomes fruitful.” Yes, all can become fruitful. Thomas à Kempis understood this well. Every beat of our heart, every breath we take, every single act of our will can profit us much. If … More Works of Charity

Has there ever been a more widespread sin than that of rash judgment? Who among us can claim to be free from fault in this arena? Has there been a single day in our lives where we did not in some way criticize our neighbor’s doings? Thomas à Kempis: “Turn thy eyes back upon thyself … More Rash Judgment

If man could but resist temptation, paradise would have remained our home. All evil that has come into the world is the result of man’s inability–or shall we say unwillingness–to resist temptation. There is, therefore, no more important spiritual exercise than to learn to resist and overcome temptation. Thomas à Kempis highlights the absolute necessity … More Resisting Temptation