In trying to understand ourselves, what must we keep in mind?

God's assessment of things. In this reading, Thomas a Kempis puts before God's perspective on our good qualities. Instead of being our own judges, let us ponder what God in all his infinite wisdom will say about us. The Lord does give us gifts of grace that transform us. Christ enables us to cooperate in our own salvation and those of others. But as we reflect on any good qualities the Lord had given us, we have to remember all the ways we constantly depend on God lest we over estimate our own excellence and want to manifest our own excellence to others.

We read about the need to obey. Thomas a Kempis makes the case for obedience in light of Christ himself. If He submitted himself to human persons, we can do so too. We should not try to ponder humility and obedience apart from Christ. Christ shows us what God can do in the hearts of those who seek Him.

Will there ever be a time in our spiritual lives when all trials and sufferings will end?

Not really, not in this life. Thomas a Kempis puts before us the importance of the virtue of patience. But he wants to make sure that we realize that the patience the Lord wants from us is consistent with trials and pains. In fact, he insists that we should never think that we will ever fully escape such situations. The patience He wills us to have is a patience in the midst of trials. No human person, even persons totally given to pleasures in this life, is without trials. But the Lord stands by us.

We read about the need to sift and govern our our hearts. Thomas a Kempis insists that our desires need to be held back, kept in check. Because of original sin, we have a tendency to desire things more than we should and at times that are bad. We cannot live purely by our own likes and dislikes. We must seek to bring our desires in line with God"s will. And then there are times when we absolutely have to deny ourselves certain desires of the body. The body is not evil. Pleasure is not evil. But there are moments in our lives when we a choice for God and our vocation must be made. Such moments are moments of grace, moments when the Lord protects us and strengthens us.

What does Our Lord promise us even in this life?

Joy. In this reading, Thomas a Kempis explains why there is joy in the Lord's service. I came, Christ said, that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. The labours and service we offer Christ is not drudgery. There is a spiritual joy, a resting in the good, that he promises his friends.

What is the origin and end of all things?

The Lord God. In this reading, Christ speaks to us about the secret to true happiness: Himself. In so far as all things were created through Him, all things find their meaning in relation to Christ Jesus, the eternal Word. Not only is Christ as God the origin of all things, He is also the end, the goal. All things were made for Him. All things find their fulfillment in Him.

What should we do when we discover how little humility is in our hearts?

Ask the Lord to turn us back to Himself. In tonight"s reading, Thomas a Kempis proposes various considerations for understanding true humility. He shows how love for God and humility are interrelated. He also offers suggestions for growing in humility.

We read about what to do when the flame of devotion seems to be going out. How should we react when our spiritual lives do not match our expectations? How should we respond to our own lack of determination? Patience, humility, resignation.

We read about the various tests that God allows those who love him to undergo. Thomas a Kempis calls these the tests of true lovers. The Lord wants us to love Him with a pure love. These tests can take on many different forms. Let us not be surprised. Let us look to the example of the saints.

Will the love of God change our lives?

We read about the effects of divine love in our lives. When we begin to love Christ, such love overflows into many aspects of our lives. Being in love with God changes the way we look at everything. Life only truly begins when loving Christ becomes the most important aspect of our life. In the evening of life, a saint has said, we will be judged by our love. The goal of our lives is to become loving persons, sharing in God’s own way of loving.