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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
The Ninth Chapter
ALL THINGS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO GOD AS THEIR LAST END
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, I must be your supreme and last end, if you truly desire to be
blessed. With this intention your affections, which are too often perversely
inclined to self and to creatures, will be purified. For if you seek yourself in
anything, you immediately fail interiorly and become dry of heart.
Refer all things principally to Me, therefore, for it is I Who have given them
all. Consider each thing as flowing from the highest good, and therefore to Me,
as to their highest source, must all things be brought back.
From Me the small and the great, the poor and the rich draw the water of life as
from a living fountain, and they who serve Me willingly and freely shall receive
grace upon grace. He who wishes to glory in things apart from Me, however, or to
delight in some good as his own, shall not be grounded in true joy or gladdened
in his heart, but shall be burdened and distressed in many ways. Hence you ought
not to attribute any good to yourself or ascribe virtue to any man, but give all
to God without Whom man has nothing.
I have given all things. I will that all be returned to Me again, and I exact
most strictly a return of thanks. This is the truth by which vainglory is put to
flight.
Where heavenly grace and true charity enter in, there neither envy nor
narrowness of heart nor self-love will have place. Divine love conquers all and
enlarges the powers of the soul.
If you are truly wise, you will rejoice only in Me, because no one is good
except God alone, Who is to be praised above all things and above all to be
blessed.
