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Lovers of the Cross
priest and devotional writer. The author deals with the issue of fair-weather followers of Jesus. OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF LOVERS OF THE CROSS OF JESUS Jesus hath now many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many that are desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation. He finds many companions of His table, but few of His abstinence. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are willing to endure anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the chalice of His Passion. Many reverence His miracles, but few follow the ignominy of His Cross. Many love Jesus as long as they meet with no adversity, many praise Him and bless Him as long as they receive some consolations from Him. But if Jesus hid Himself, and leave them for a little while, they either murmur or fall into excessive dejection. - Thomas à Kempis (1379 - 1471), from IMITATIO CHRISTI (THE IMITATION OF CHRIST), as collected in 2000 YEARS SINCE BETLEHEM: IMAGES OF CHRIST THROUGH THE CENTURIES, compiled by Janice T. Grana, Upper Room Books, 1998. For more biographical information on Thomas a Kempis, take a look at: http://www.ewtn.com/library/HOMELIBR/CEKEMPIS.TXT http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/JEK/query.cgi?7+24 [Perhaps these weeks before Easter will be ones in which we can each think about what it means to "take up the cross daily" and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23)] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina |