Last month, Rolling Ridge launched Divine Friendships, a new monthly series exploring Christian contemplative and devotional classics. This series title draws its inspiration from a quote by the great 16th century Spanish mystic, Teresa of Avila, who described contemplative prayer as “a close sharing between friends”.
From the Christian perspective, divine friendships manifest themselves in at least three ways. The first is friendship within God expressed in the Holy Trinity. This is the original divine friendship out of which all the others flow. The second is friendship between God and the individual human person. The third is friendship between and among human persons united to each other through the Holy Spirit.
On Monday evening, July 12th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, we will be exploring The Imitation of Christ, perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional book after the Bible, written by Thomas à Kempis. A German priest who spent most of his long life in a Dutch monastery copying bibles, Thomas wrote the Imitation anonymously in the early part of the fifteenth century. The first two books counsel humility, self-denial and patient endurance as crucial to the spiritual life. The last two books take the form of an imagined conversation between Christ and the disciple focused on the contrast between the love of Jesus and the love of one’s self.
Never heard of Thomas à Kempis and the Imitation of Christ? We invite you to join us for an insightful look as to how this Christian contemplative classic can deepen our divine friendships today.
If Thomas is not “your cup of tea”, we invite you to check out some of the other upcoming offerings at the Ridge, which include a look at the musical Hamilton, a Pray and Paddle retreat on Lake Cochichewick, and an evening featuring Sister Joan Chittister at our first in-person onsite hybrid event.
Whether through a Christian classic, a contemporary musical, an outdoor adventure, or an inspiring talk, Rolling Ridge seeks to nurture your spiritual life as you awaken to the divine friendships in you.
