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The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
The Twenty-first Chapter
ABOVE ALL GOODS AND ALL GIFTS WE MUST REST IN GOD
THE DISCIPLE
ABOVE all things and in all things, O my soul, rest always in God, for He is the
everlasting rest of the saints.
Grant, most sweet and loving Jesus, that I may seek my repose in You above every
creature; above all health and beauty; above every honor and glory; every power
and dignity; above all knowledge and cleverness, all riches and arts, all joy
and gladness; above all fame and praise, all sweetness and consolation; above
every hope and promise, every merit and desire; above all the gifts and favors
that You can give or pour down upon me; above all the joy and exultation that
the mind can receive and feel; and finally, above the angels and archangels and
all the heavenly host; above all things visible and invisible; and may I seek my
repose in You above everything that is not You, my God.
For You, O Lord my God, are above all things the best. You alone are most high,
You alone most powerful. You alone are most sufficient and most satisfying, You
alone most sweet and consoling. You alone are most beautiful and loving, You
alone most noble and glorious above all things. In You is every perfection that
has been or ever will be. Therefore, whatever You give me besides Yourself,
whatever You reveal to me concerning Yourself, and whatever You promise, is too
small and insufficient when I do not see and fully enjoy You alone. For my heart
cannot rest or be fully content until, rising above all gifts and every created
thing, it rests in You.
Who, O most beloved Spouse, Jesus Christ, most pure Lover, Lord of all creation,
who shall give me the wings of true liberty that I may fly to rest in You? When
shall freedom be fully given me to see how sweet You are, O Lord, my God? When
shall I recollect myself entirely in You, so that because of Your love I may
feel, not myself, but You alone above all sense and measure, in a manner known
to none? But now I often lament and grieve over my unhappiness, for many evils
befall me in this vale of miseries, often disturbing me, making me sad and
overshadowing me, often hindering and distracting me, alluring and entangling me
so that I neither have free access to You nor enjoy the sweet embraces which are
ever ready for blessed souls. Let my sighs and the manifold desolation here on
earth move You.
O Jesus, Splendor of eternal glory, Consolation of the pilgrim soul, with You my
lips utter no sound and to You my silence speaks. How long will my Lord delay
His coming? Let Him come to His poor servant and make him happy. Let Him put
forth His hand and take this miserable creature from his anguish. Come, O come,
for without You there will be no happy day or hour, because You are my happiness
and without You my table is empty. I am wretched, as it were imprisoned and
weighted down with fetters, until You fill me with the light of Your presence,
restore me to liberty, and show me a friendly countenance. Let others seek
instead of You whatever they will, but nothing pleases me or will please me but
You, my God, my Hope, my everlasting Salvation. I will not be silent, I will not
cease praying until Your grace returns to me and You speak inwardly to me,
saying: "Behold, I am here. Lo, I have come to you because you have called Me.
Your tears and the desire of your soul, your humility and contrition of heart
have inclined Me and brought Me to you."
Lord, I have called You, and have desired You, and have been ready to spurn all
things for Your sake. For You first spurred me on to seek You. May You be
blessed, therefore, O Lord, for having shown this goodness to Your servant
according to the multitude of Your mercies.
What more is there for Your servant to say to You unless, with his iniquity and
vileness always in mind, he humbles himself before You? Nothing among all the
wonders of heaven and earth is like to You. Your works are exceedingly good,
Your judgments true, and Your providence rules the whole universe. May You be
praised and glorified, therefore, O Wisdom of the Father. Let my lips and my
soul and all created things unite to praise and bless You.
