“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

“It is good for us to have sometimes troubles and adversities: for they make a man enter into himself, that he may know that he is in a state of banishment, and may not place his hopes in anything of this world.” “For then we better run to God, our inward witness, when outwardly we … More The Utility of Adversity

Peace and progress. It seems the latter is dependent upon the former. If we wish to make progress in life, we must be at peace. The restless man is capable of very little because his thoughts are scattered, his attention divided. The peaceful man, on the contrary, can accomplish anything. The peaceful man can make … More Peace and Progress