Episode 8 -- Imitation of Christ I.8 -- On the Danger of Being Too Familiar

Is there a difference between kindness and being too familiar?

Yes. In this reading, the Imitation of Christ distinguishes the kindness that vowed religious in monasteries owe to all and a dangerous familiarity that can arise. In other words, chapter 8 is directed especially to men who have made public vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The Imitation warns them about certain dangers of "crossing the line" with various kinds of people whom the Lord is not asking such priests to help. The whole focus of a man's life who is dedicated to God has to be on God and drawing others to God. He must not be too worried about spending time with people that will pull him away from the Lord's humble service. This reading is good for all as a reminder to pray for priests and has some application for all people.

Last episode we read about the dangers of self-conceit, about having a too high opinion of oneself. The biggest reason for avoiding this trap in the spiritual life is that our happiness is not to be found in a creature. Creatures are finite, limited, incomplete. But we are made for the infinite, the unlimited, the perfect. God alone, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will be our happiness. This happiness we will share with others in heaven. But no mere human being will ever make us perfectly happy, including ourselves! No amount of self-admiration will satisfy us, especially when it is not built on truth! We need self-knowledge, but self-knowledge that is rooted in God and our relationship to Him. Riches, famous people, skills, beauty, health can be good, if loved in relation to God. Lord show us you will!