Bountiful Goodness: Spiritual Meditations for a Deeper Union with Christ

by Thomas à Kempis, Joseph N. Tylenda (Translator)

The Imitation of Christ, also by Thomas À Kempis, is the most famous and beloved Christian devotional ever written. The simplicity, piety and wisdom that readers have found in that classic will also be discovered in these new modern-English translations of A Little Garden of Roses and The Valley of Lilies. The aim of these works is to draw the reader to a closer union with Jesus. While Imitation sets forth the principles of discipleship, the two works in this volume offer more practical advice. They treat of the virtues needed to advance toward God.

The introduction to this volume includes a brief biographical sketch of Thomas À Kempis, a fourteenth-century German monk, as well as some notes about the texts themselves. Like all meditation books, explains the introduction, this one is not to be read in one sitting, but pondered and prayed over slowly. "Pause and reflect on what [À Kempis] has to say," advises Fr. Joseph Tylenda, the translator, "and then join with him when he address the Lord and listen to Him when He speaks to you."

Genres: Spirituality, Christian

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 17, 2013

About the author

Thomas Hammerken (or Hammerlein -- both mean "little hammer") / Thomas de Kempis / Thomas Hamerken von Kempen was born at Kempen (hence the "A Kempis") in the duchy of Cleves in Germany around 1380. He was educated by a religious order called the Brethren of the Common Life, and in due course joined the order, was ordained a priest, became sub-prior of his house (in the low Countries), and died 25 July 1471 (his feast is observed a day early to avoid conflict with that of James bar-Zebedee the Apostle).

Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as The Imitation of Christ, in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great daily devotional.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

21 5/28/15 Lovely. I enjoyed Imitation of Christ more, but the bite size form of this makes it very accessible.