Of the Imitation of Christ and Contempt of All the Vanities of the World
"He who follows Me, walks not in darkness," says the Lord. These are the words of Christ, by which we are taught to imitate His life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened and delivered from all blindness of heart.
Let therefore our chief endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. The teaching of Christ exceeds all the teachings of the Saints, and he who has His Spirit will find therein a hidden manna.
But it happens that many, though they frequently hear the Gospel, feel little desire to follow it, because they have not the Spirit of Christ. Whoever would fully and with true relish understand the words of Christ must study to conform his whole life to Him.
What does it profit you to discourse profoundly of the Trinity, if you lack humility and are thereby displeasing to the Trinity? Truly, sublime words do not make a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him dear to God.
I would rather feel compunction than know how to define it. If you knew the whole Bible by heart and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it profit you without the love of God and His grace?
"Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity," except to love God and serve Him alone. This is the highest wisdom: by contempt of the world to tend toward the kingdom of heaven.
📖 Scripture
John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Grant me the grace to follow You faithfully, to imitate Your humility and love, and to find in You alone my true happiness. Help me to see through the vanities of this world and to seek only what leads to eternal life. Through Your most holy Name. Amen.