The Secret of True Peace of Heart and True Progress.
Chapter Focus: The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus recently takes place on January 3rd. St. Bernardine of Siena, instituted, promoted, and preached about the IHS icon, which represents the first three letters of our Lord’s Name in Greek.
In this chapter, Thomas suggests we meditate upon Christ’s Holy Name. In the words Christ speaks to the disciple, He says: “justify Me in My justice in all things that I appoint, and bless My Holy Name, then walk in the true and right way of peace, and have a certain hope that you shall again behold My face with joy.”
The Holy Name is a path to peace: a means to a full intimacy and revelation of seeing the Face of Jesus. I’m
convinced that, at some point in Thomas’ long life, Thomas saw the Face of Christ in the Shroud of Turin. Thomas certainly had visions and locutions. Thomas saw beyond the obvious. In my fictional narratives, Jesus visits Thomas often in conversations such as this one. Indeed, most of Book III is taken up with these conversations.
This reflection calls upon us to offer ourselves to the Divine Will, and to abandon worldly praise and comfort. It’s easy to fall into a false notion that we are especially blessed, or are walking in God’s Spirit. We readily convince ourselves of this special condescension when things are going well. When things are not well, we think God has removed His blessing from us. Thomas tells us to put that notion aside. Instead, he advises us to give thanks in all things: plenty or famine, good health or sickness, wealth or poverty. “Be steady in thanksgiving,” he tells us.
This attitude requires humility. We do not presume upon God but should bless Him (and His Name) regardless of our circumstances. We need to be wayfarers, passers-by, and yet see Him in all things and welcome the vision He presents to us in full thanksgiving. Below Ch 25 is an excerpt from Psalm 113, which also meditates on God’s Holy Name.
Chapter 25, In Short.
1. The humble of heart who hear and follow God’s voice will enjoy peace.
2. What should I do, Lord?
3. Pay attention to all you do and say; keep your purpose pleasing to the Lord.
4. In what does a disciple’s progress and perfection consist?
5. Your progress consists of offering yourself with all your heart to the Divine Will.
Scripture Memory Prayer: My Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give it to you. (John 14:27)
Question: What will you do to enjoy God’s peace?
Key Quote: My peace is with the humble and lowly in heart.
Book 3, Ch 25. The Secret of True Peace of Heart and True Progress.
Christ: “My Son, I have said, “My Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives give I unto you (Jn 14:27).’ All of humanity desires peace, but not all care for the things which belong to true peace. My peace is with the humble and lowly in heart. Your peace shall be in much patience. If you heard Me and followed My voice, you shall enjoy much peace.”
Disciple:
- What then shall I do, Lord?
Christ:
- In everything attend to yourself what you are doing and what you are saying; and direct all your purpose to this, that you please Me alone, and do not desire or seek anything apart from Me.
Moreover, judge nothing rashly concerning the words or deeds of others, nor meddle with matters which are not committed to you; and it may be that you shall be little or rarely disturbed.
But never to feel any trouble, or to suffer any pain of heart or body belongs not to this present life but is the state of eternal rest. Therefore do not think that you have found true peace if you have felt no grief; nor that all is well if you have no adversary; nor that this is perfect if all things fall out according to your plans.
Neither then reconcile yourself to be anything great, nor think that you are especially beloved if you are in a state of great devotion and sweetness of spirit; for the true lover of virtue is not known by these, nor does a disciple’s progress and perfection consist in these.”
Disciple:
- In what then, Lord?
Christ:
“In offering yourself with all your heart to the Divine Will.
In not seeking the things which are your own, whether great or small, whether temporal or eternal; so that you remain with the same steady countenance in giving thanks between prosperity and adversity, weighing all things in an equal balance.
If you can be so brave and long-suffering in hope that when inward comfort is taken from you, prepare your heart for more endurance, and do not try to justify yourself, as though you ought not to suffer these heavy things. But rather justify Me in My justice in all things that I appoint, and bless My Holy Name, then walk in the true and right way of peace, and have a certain hope that you shall again behold My face with joy (Job 33:26). For if you come to an utter humbling of yourself, know then that you shall enjoy an abundance of peace, as much as is possible here you are but a wayfarer.”
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Psalm 113
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed
both now and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord,
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God,
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down,
to look down upon heaven and earth?
From the dust, he lifts up the lowly,
from his misery, he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes,
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife, he gives a home
and gladdens her heart with children.
Hallelujah!