Andre's Blog (9)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/31130371/John-of-the-Cross-The-Ascent-of-Mount-Carmel…

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The Ninth Chapter

OBEDIENCE AND SUBJECTION

IT IS a very great thing to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one's own master, for it is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of…

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The Eighth Chapter

THE INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP OF JESUS

WHEN Jesus is near, all is well and nothing seems difficult. When He is absent, all is hard. When Jesus does not speak within, all other comfort is empty, but if He says only a word, it brings great consolation.

Did not Mary Magdalen rise at once from her weeping when Martha said to her: "The Master is come, and calleth for thee"? Happy is the…

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The Seventh Chapter

AVOIDING FALSE HOPE AND PRIDE

VAIN is the man who puts his trust in men, in created things. Do not be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ and to seem poor in this world. Do not be self-sufficient but place your trust in God. Do what lies in your power and God will aid your good will. Put no trust in your own learning nor in the cunning of any man, but rather in the grace of God Who…

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The Fourth Chapter

PRUDENCE IN ACTION

DO NOT yield to every impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God's will. For very often, sad to say, we are so weak that we believe and speak evil of others rather than good. Perfect men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech.…

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The Fifth Chapter

READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURE



TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every

part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to

seek profit rather than polished diction.



Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly as learned and

profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the authority of the writer, whether he be

a… Continue

The Third Chapter

THE

DOCTRINE OF TRUTH

HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words that fade,but as it actually is. Our opinions, our senses often deceive us and we discern very little.



What good is much discussion of involved and obscure matters when ourignorance of them will not be held against us on Judgment Day? Neglect of thingswhich are profitable and necessary and undue concern with those which are irrelevantand… Continue

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

Book 4

The Seventh Chapter



THE EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE AND THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND



THE VOICE OF CHRIST

ABOVE all, God's priest should approach the celebration and reception of thisSacrament with the deepest humility of heart and suppliant reverence, with completefaith and the pious intention of giving honor to God.



Carefully examine your conscience, then. Cleanse and… Continue

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