Tonight we are concluding Book 1 of The Imitation of Christ with a discussion of meditations 21-25. The overall theme of these chapters (and the book) is to be prepared. Nothing should focus the soul and the mind as death and the threat of punishment. Think about the parable of the Rich Young Fool (Luke 12:13-21). Within this parable, Jesus teaches that the “man (we) says ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
We are reading through five somewhat long meditations this week, therefore we will not be reading the meditations themselves tonight. Dinner is at 6. The menu is a shrimp boil. Discussion at 6:45. Hope to see you here.
Strive to live in such a way now that in the hour of death you may rejoice rather than fear. Learn now to place Christ at the center of your life , that then you may begin to live your life with Christ.
Book 1, Chapter 23