DEVOTION CORNER

"My Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis
Revised translation edited by Confraternity of the Precious Blood, Imprimatur Thomas Edmundus Molloy, Archbishop of Brooklyn, 1954

Book One - useful adminishes for a Spiritual Life

Chapter 6-Inordinate Affections

1. Whensoever a man disires anything inordinately he is presently disquieted within himself. The proud and covetous are never easy. The poor and humble of spirit live in much peace. The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself is soon tempted and overcome by trifling things. He that is weak in spirit, and in a manner yet carnal and inclined to sensible things, can hardly withdraw himself wholly from earthly disires. And therefore he is often sad when he withdraws himself from them and is easily moved to anger if any one thwarts him.
2. And if he has pursued his inclinations he is immediately tormented with the guilt of his conscience, becasue he has followed his passions, which helps him not at all toward the peace he sought for. It is then by resisting our passions that we are to find true peace of heart, and not by being slaves to them. There is no peace, therefore in the heart of a carnal man, nor in a man that is addicted to outward things; but only in a fervent spiritual man.