"Let us prepare ourselves for the appointed time…"

"But if it be delayed, we can be sure that we were neither ready nor prepared for that glory, which will be revealed to us in God's time.  Let us then prepare ourselves better for the appointed time."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

...and times we need to live more devoutly

"In this way, we ought to prepare ourselves at holy seasons, living more devoutly and performing our duties more exactly as if we were soon to go before God to receive the reward of our labors."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Our practices have "seasons" too...

"As the principal feasts occur we must renew our pious practices according to the spirit of the feast, fervently asking the Saints to help us.  As the liturgical year unfolds, we should make our resolutions as if we were then to leave this world for the everlasting feast in heaven."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Our size does not fit all...

"The same pious practices are not practical for all; for one suits one person, while another suits someone else.  Different exercises are required for different times, some being more applicable for holy days, others for ordinary days.  Also, we need one kind in time of temptation and another in time of peace and quiet; one when we have devotion, another when devotion is absent."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

On surrendering your will...

"Personal penitential practices are best done in private and not openly for others to see.  Do not be more inclined to the devotions of your own choosing than to those that are of religious obligation.  When you have faithfully fulfilled your obligation, then if there is time left, you may perform those devotions according to your inspiration."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Arm yourself with humility...

"Arm yourself with humility and charity so as to ward off attacks of the devil.  Refrain from gluttony and it will be easier for you to restrain carnal desires.  Never be idle: read, write, meditate, pray, or work for the good of the community.  As for bodily mortification, practice these with discretion; for what is profitable for one may harm another."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

On checking your progress...

"If you cannot recollect yourself all the time, you should do so at intervals; for instance, in the morning you should make your resolution for the day, and then in the evening check up on yourself to see what your conduct has been during the day--how you have kept your resolution, what have been your thoughts, words, and actions.  For in any of these ways you may have offended God and your neighbor more often than you think."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

On making a firm resolution...

"Nevertheless, we must have a resolve about something definite, particularly concerning those things which are our greatest hindrances.   We should carefully search and put in order both our interior and exterior, for both are necessary to our spiritual progress."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

The danger of laziness

"If for the sake of charity a pious practice is omitted, it may be recovered later; but if omitted through laziness or our own negligence, it is not a small fault and will prove harmful.  Although we try our best, some failures will be unavoidable."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Choose God's grace...

"The resolution of devout persons depends more on the grace of God than on their own wisdom. For human beings propose, but God disposes, nor is the course of their life as they would have it."(Jer 10:23)."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Make up your mind...

"Let us then make up our minds to do the best we can; even so our good intention may be hindered in various ways, such as the omission of a good exercise for a slight reason.  It is seldom that such willful omission can be recovered without spiritual loss."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Climb to the heights...

"As our intention is, so will our progress be, and we have need of great diligence if we want to advance.  For if those whose purpose is to do good often fall short or it, what shall the person do who seldom, if ever, makes such a resolution?

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

On making a fresh start, again and again!

"Every day renew your dedication to God, arousing fervent devotion in your heart as if it were the first day of your turning back to God.  Pray to Him, saying, "Help me, Lord Jesus, to persevere in my good resolutions and in Your holy service till death.  Help me to begin this day well, for up to now I have done nothing."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Our inner and outer lives should be pure...

"The life of a good religious should be distinguished by virtue, being inwardly as one appears outwardly, for He Who sees the heart is God, Whom we should always reverence.  We should walk in His Presence as pure as the Angels."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Nineteen

Do not fall off in fervor...

"How sad it is that through our own negligence and wasting of time we have fallen so quickly from our first fervor, and are even tired of life itself!  God grant that the desire to advance in virtue be not dormant in you, who so often have had the examples of the Saints before you!"

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

On the fervent holy religious of old...

"The history of their deeds bears witness to their holiness and perfection by which they were able to subdue the world and trample it beneath their feet.  Nowadays, those who can keep the rule and maintain patience in what they have undertaken are thought the world of."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

The grace of obedience...

"How fervent were the religious when their institutions were founded! What devotion in prayer, what zeal for virtue and what strict discipline was maintained!  Reverence and obedience under the rule of the Superior prospered!"

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

More on holy souls...

"This is why they grew spiritually every day, gaining great grace from God.  They were given as an example to all who desire to be holy; how much more, therefore, should they inspire us to advance spiritually than the number of the lukewarm influence us to grow lax."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

They were strangers to the world...

"They were strangers to the world, but to God they were dear and intimate friends.  In the world's eyes and in their own they were despised as nothing; but in the eyes of God and His Saints they were beloved and precious indeed.  True humility, simple obedience, charity, patience--in fact all the virtues shone forth in them."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

…but inwardly they were filled with grace...

"They abandoned riches, honors, friends and families; they wanted nothing of this world, scarcely even taking what was necessary for the body.  Outwardly they were in need, but inwardly they were filled with grace and spiritual consolation."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

Forgetting oneself for God

"They worked by day and they prayed by night.  Their time was always profitably spent, for even in their physical labors they turned their minds to God and considered the time in His service all too short. Often they forgot the need for food, so consoling were their contemplations."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

The zeal of the Desert Fathers...

"How strict and mortified was the life our Fathers led in the wilderness!  How many grievous temptations they endured and violent assaults of the devil!  How fervently they prayed daily to God, imposing rigid fasts on themselves!  What ardent zeal to advance in the spiritual life!  What relentless war they waged against all sin and with what pure and wholehearted intention did they aspire toward God!"

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

Rejecting honors and pleasures now...

"Consider the many and grievous trials endured by the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and indeed all the Saints who followed in the footsteps of our Lord!  In order to possess everlasting life they rejected honors and all the pleasures of this life."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

More on holy souls...

"These friends of Christ served Him amid all sorts of tribulations: hunger and thirst, heat and cold, labor and weariness, in vigils and fasts, holy meditations and prayers and in persecutions and insults."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

On the example of the Holy Fathers...

"Look at the shining examples of our ancient Fathers and the Saints, in whom true perfection and religion flourished and then you will see how little we do by comparison.  How can we even compare our life with theirs!"

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Eighteen

You are meant to be tried as gold in a furnace...

"It is good, therefore, often to remember that you entered religious life to serve and not to be served, and that you are called to suffer and to work, not to waste your time in idleness and gossip.  In religious life you are meant to be tried as gold in a furnace and you will not last long unless with all your heart you are ready to humble yourself for the love of God."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seventeen

Dying to self-love

"Receiving the habit and the tonsure is but little help; it is the reforming of your life and the dying to self-love that makes the true religious.  If you seek anything in religious life other than God and the good of your soul, you will find nothing but trouble and grief and you will not persevere there in peace unless you strive to be the least and subject to all."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seventeen

Consider yourself an exile and pilgrim...

"If you wish to remain steadfast in grace and to grow in virtue, consider yourself an exile and a pilgrim in this world.  You must rejoice to be considered a fool and a contemptuous person for the love of God."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seventeen

On the religious life…but it also applies to all our lives...

"If you want to get along with others, it is necessary to curb your own will in many things.  It is not easy to live in a monastery or a congregation, to remain there without complaint or reproof and to persevere in your vocation."

Imitation of Christ, Book One, Chapter Seventeen