The Imitation of Christ is the most-read book in Christianity after the Bible. It is the high point of medieval spirituality where the goal is for the believer to truly partake of the divine image and nature. Its study requires a contemplative heart, not an analytical mind. The work is composed of four books. The first three books concern the purgative, illuminative, and unitive stages of spiritual growth which are analogous to the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. The fourth book is an extended meditation on the Eucharist. I used this version with commentary along with Vedic Commentary on the work. The book was studied over three Eastertides. Books 1 and 2 cover nine weeks, Book 3 covers six weeks, and Book 4 covers five weeks.
(Easter 2015, 2016, 2017)
Imitation of Christ – Introduction, pt.1
Thomas á Kempis’ “The Imitation of Christ” does not seek to give us abstract knowledge about God but to guide us into a deep spiritual experiential personal knowledge of the Divine.
Imitation of Christ – Introduction, pt.2
Merely reducing the work to the bullet points of its content impairs its overall message and power. Therefore, approach the book with a contemplative heart and not an analytical mind.
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.1-4, pt.1
Salvation is not about a change in location, but a change in being. It is about restoring the image of God into a fallen humanity. The first step in restoring this image is purgation which is Book 1.
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.1-4, pt.2
In our readings through the Imitation of Christ, our questions will not be what was á Kempis’s purpose or intention in regard to a particular passage; rather we want to look at how that particular passage speaks to you personally and ultimately transforms you.
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.5-9, pt.1
Within these chapters, á Kempis emphasizes our humility, not as an end unto itself, but as the means of emptying ourselves so that we can, as Peter writes, become partakes of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.5-9, pt.2
One of the great themes in The Imitation is that of simplicity. Within Chapter 5, á Kempis writes of needing to have simplicity in interpreting Scripture – “for we should look for profit in the writings rather than subtle expressions.”
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.10-12, pt.1
There is a difference, therefore, between obedience grounded in love and obedience predicated upon power. As you read through this meditation, think about whether obedience is a necessary good within a spiritual or ecclesiastical context. Should we all be obedient to someone?
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.10-12, pt.2
As you read through chapter 12, think about whether trials and hardships themselves are Good or Evil. If they come from God, then they are the former but if God merely sends us the means with which to handle the trials, but not the trials themselves, then they are the latter.
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.13-16, pt.1
The commandment to keep from judging others, is not one we can volunatry keep, as if we could simply will ourselves not to judge; but rather it is the fruit of a humble heart turned towards God and with love towards your neighbor.
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.13-16, pt.2
Whenever we wish damnation on others, we attack Christ himself, annul his Passion, and so compel him to undergo it again. Ultimately, when we lose patience with others and curse them we bring that same curse upon ourselves
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.17-20, pt.1
In these meditation, Kempis gives his his insights into the virtues of discipline, perseverance, service, training, and silence. He commits us to look at the example of the saints who have displayed those virtues that we should emulate them.
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.21-25, pt.1
In these final chapters of Book 1, á Kempis focuses on the final stages of purgation: remorse, misery, death, and judgment. (It’s Good Friday all over again.)
Imitation of Christ – Book 1, Ch.21-25, pt.2
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.
Imitation of Christ – Book 2, Ch.1-4, pt.1
These virtues are not additional rules and burdens that we are compelled to undertake, for as Paul says “against these things, there is no law”; rather these are desires and features of a transformed heart that actively seeks the kingdom of God which is within us all.
Imitation of Christ – Book 2, Ch.1-4, pt.2
in being illuminated inwardly by Christ the prophecy of Jerimiah becomes fulfilled “I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” Hebrews 8:8-13.
Imitation of Christ – Book 2, Ch.5-8, pt.1
The first step towards Christ is not to worry about the state of someone else’s soul but ours. If we only attend to ourselves and our own shortcomings, we will lack the energy to correct others and will be unable to judge others too harshly.
Imitation of Christ – Book 2, Ch.5-8, pt.2
Throughout his meditations, á Kempis keeps returning to the theme of having an intimate friendship with Jesus. An aspect of that friendship is the art of knowing how to converse with him.
Imitation of Christ – Book 2, Ch.9-12, pt.1
Throughout the book, á Kempis tells us that we will always have difficulties and always fall short. His intention, however, is not to dissuade us from seeking Christ, but rather to let us know that our difficulties and failures are common to all so that we should not lose heart.
Imitation of Christ – Book 2, Ch.9-12, pt.2
In looking at the Cross as the example to follow, the Cross is no longer something that happened a long time ago in a land far away but is something that happens to us in the here and now on a daily basis. The Cross is not only the promise of a transformed life in the hereafter but a transformed life today.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.1-5, pt.1
The first step in this unification of the soul with Jesus is the cultivation of the ability to listen and to know his voice. Throughout the scriptures, we see that God speaks to us in our silence.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.1-5, pt.2
Wandering is good when the mind wanders on God during the entire extent of his prayer, on God’s glory and majesty, stemming from a recollection of the Scriptures, from an understanding of the divine utterances and holy words of the Spirit.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.6-10, pt.1
Within these mediations á Kempis continues to caution us to not put our faith in holy things, religious practices, or spiritual feelings. Rather our faith and the object of our desire should be Christ alone.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.6-10, pt.2
We want to be the best Christian we can be. But, the example Christ gives us is to be humble, not to be the “best”. In our union with Christ, we are not called to great moral progress or perfection but simply to appear before him with a broken and contrite heart. Ps. 51:17.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.11-15, pt.2
discernment is rooted in spiritual practice, yet it is not a step-by-step process. It requires, learning to listen for and recognize over time the voice and character of God in our hearts and daily lives. – Henri Nouwen
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.16-20, pt.2
For me, these meditations of á Kempis in leading us to imitate the meekness of the suffering servant raises the question of how do we confront injustice in the world.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.21-25, pt.2
Jesus gives us for lessons for peace: Do another’s will, prefer less than more, seek the lower place, and ask God’s will be fulfilled in you.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.26-30, pt.1
We were created and commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Deut. 6:5, Matt. 22:37. That love, however, can be bent either internally resulting in pride, anger, and envy, or bent externally towards the material world resulting in greed, gluttony, or lust. Therefore, á Kempis encourages us to keep our love of God alone.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.26-30, pt.2
In the later meditations, á Kempis shows us how someone who is in Christ responds to the hardship. If our responses are different, then the problem doesn’t lie with the response itself, but in our relationship with Jesus.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.31-35, pt.2
In classical Western thought (both Christian and pagan), the unencumbered soul will always choose the Good, for that is the source of its existence. Therefore, when we “choose” to follow our base passions and desires, we are, in reality, enslaved to them and not free.
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.1-4, pt.1
As the alternative to the Scholastic Doctrine of Transubstantiation, á Kempis simply gives us a series of five Bible verses to contemplate as a guide into a spiritual knowledge of the Eucharist and thereby into a relationship with Jesus that passes all understanding. Therefore, for Tuesday night, the only homework is to read the five verses: Matthew 11:28, John 6:52, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 6:57, and John 6:63.
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.1-4, pt.2
Á Kempis begins his series of meditations with the awesome duty we have of preparation. Á Kempis looks back on the preparations made by Noah, Moses, and Solomon to receive God’s presence and what type of preparation do we make to receive God as well?
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.4-7, pt.1
In meditations four and five, we come across two concepts that have a very ancient origin in the church – the Eucharist as the “medicine of immortality” and the special dignity (or burden) of the priesthood.
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.4-7, pt.2
One Christian who found a great benefit in reading through “The Imitation of Christ” was John Wesley, the Anglican priest and founder of the Methodist movement. Wesley translated the book into English and published the same so that members of his Methodist community could benefit from á Kempis’ writing.
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.8-11, pt.1
The theme of these next meditations is the mutual offerings we experience in the Eucharist. Within this mystery Christ fully offers himself on our behalf; so also does he now call us to likewise fully offer ourselves to him.
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.8-11, pt.2
Enter into the story of the Road to Emmaus. Read the passage slowly, reverentially, and expectantly allowing yourself to live into the story itself. Reflect on the part of the story that resonates with you, particularly its conclusion that the Risen Jesus is known in the breaking of the bread.
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.12-15, pt.1
For the early church, the Eucharist was not simply a wedding feast but the very manifestation of the physical union between Christ and his Bride or between Christ and the individual’s soul. St. Ambrose writes: “When the body of Christ is placed on the lips of the believer, it is truly a kiss given by Christ to the soul, the expression of the union of love between the believer and his Lord.”
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.12-15, pt.2
Let us be like Joseph, always increasing in virtue, and taking hold of that which is truly good. And let us also take the Body of Jesus, through Holy Communion, and place It in a tomb hewn out of a rock, that is, place It within a soul which always remembers God and does not forget Him. – Theophylact of Ohrid (c.1050-c.1107)
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.16-18, pt.1
Dearly beloved, on Tuesday, it is purposed, through God’s assistance, to administer to all such as shall be religiously and devoutly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; to be by them received in remembrance of his meritorious Cross and Passion; whereby alone we obtain remission of our sins, and are make partakers of the Kingdom of heaven. . . .
Imitation of Christ – Book 4, Ch.16-18, pt.2
Beware of curious and vain examination of this most profound Sacrament. . . . Faith is required of you, and a sincere life, not a lofty intellect nor a delving into the mysteries of God. If you neither know nor understand things beneath you, how can you comprehend what is above you?