In all things I wish you to be stripped of self. How otherwise can you be
mine or I yours unless you be despoiled of your own will both inwardly
and outwardly? The sooner you do this the better it will be for you, and
the more fully and sincerely you do it the more you will please Me and the
greater gain you will merit.
Some there are who resign themselves, but with certain reservation; they
do not trust fully in God and therefore they try to provide for themselves.
Others, again, at first offer all, but afterward are assailed by temptation and
return to what they have renounced, thereby making no progress in virtue.
These will not reach the true liberty of a pure heart nor the grace of happy
friendship with Me unless they first make a full resignation and a daily
sacrifice of themselves. Without this no fruitful union lasts nor will last.
I have said to you very often, and now I say again: forsake yourself,
renounce yourself and you shall enjoy great inward peace. Give all for all.
Ask nothing, demand nothing in return. Trust purely and without hesitation
in Me, and you shall possess Me. You will be free of heart and darkness
will not overwhelm you.
Strive for this, pray for this, desire this — to be stripped of all selfishness
and naked to follow the naked Jesus, to die to self and live forever for Me.
Then all vain imaginations, all wicked disturbances and superfluous cares
will vanish. Then also immoderate fear will leave you and inordinate love
will die.
Thomas a Kempis; Book Three; 37th Chapter: Pure and Entire Resignation
of Self to Obtain Freedom of Heart
If you enjoyed these readings, there’s a lot more where they came from. The “Rise”
readings this week come from Volume 1 of “Seeds: A Scattering of Groundbreaking
Ideas,” edited by J.D. Walt. You can get it digitally or in print here.
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