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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
The Eighteenth Chapter
TEMPORAL SUFFERINGS SHOULD BE BORNE PATIENTLY, AFTER THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, I came down from heaven for your salvation and took upon Myself your
miseries, not out of necessity but out of love, that you might learn to be
patient and bear the sufferings of this life without repining. From the moment
of My birth to My death on the cross, suffering did not leave Me. I suffered
great want of temporal goods. Often I heard many complaints against Me. Disgrace
and reviling I bore with patience. For My blessings I received ingratitude, for
My miracles blasphemies, and for My teaching scorn.
THE DISCIPLE
O Lord, because You were patient in life, especially in fulfilling the design of
the Father, it is fitting that I, a most miserable sinner, should live patiently
according to Your will, and, as long as You shall wish, bear the burden of this
corruptible body for the welfare of my soul. For though this present life seems
burdensome, yet by Your grace it becomes meritorious, and it is made brighter
and more endurable for the weak by Your example and the pathways of the saints.
But it has also more consolation than formerly under the old law when the gates
of heaven were closed, when the way thereto seemed darker than now, and when so
few cared to seek the eternal kingdom. The just, the elect, could not enter
heaven before Your sufferings and sacred death had paid the debt.
Oh, what great thanks I owe You, Who have shown me and all the faithful the good
and right way to Your everlasting kingdom! Your life is our way and in Your holy
patience we come nearer to You Who are our crown. Had You not gone before and
taught us, who would have cared to follow? Alas, how many would have remained
far behind, had they not before their eyes Your holy example! Behold, even we
who have heard of Your many miracles and teachings are still lukewarm; what
would happen if we did not have such light by which to follow You?
