Thought for the Day from the Imitation of Mary: Do You Spend Time With Jesus Every Day?

Have you spent time with Jesus today? He's waiting for you!

Let no day pass without feeding your soul on some salutary truth. That is how to learn the science of the saints. Do not excuse yourself with the claim that you have no time for meditation. What you lack is the will, not the time.

You have only one important business in life: to save your soul. Should you not think about it every day?

You always find time to think seriously about the transitory business of this world. And yet there are no concerns closer to you or of greater importance to you than those of eternity.

Do not excuse yourself by saying you cannot meditate. You are quite able to reflect on countless matters of pure curiosity. Can you really claim that you are unable to think when it comes to reflecting on the great mysteries of faith and eternity

Admit rather that you have no great love for the Lord; admit that you are ungrateful.

My child, your life will always be well ordered if you examine yourself daily in the presence of God and if you are what you ought to be in His sight.

Temptation of St. Anthony by Lelio Orsi 1570s

Death will surely not take you by surprise if you learn each day how to die well. Spend just a quarter of an hour each day meditating before the altar or your crucifix on the greatness, mercy, threats, and promises of the Lord, and you will acquire a knowledge infinitely superior to that of all the philosophers whose works teach everything but the knowledge of eternal salvation....

You do not become virtuous simply by desiring it; you must seriously study and learn the means of becoming virtuous....

Do not deprive yourself of something so advantageous not only for yourself but for those who will be more especially entrusted to your care.