The Imitation of Christ

The Imitation of Christ

The Imitation of Christ is such a deep and profound book; it has changed lives from the time it was first published to this very day. In so many ways it has become a very practical book for many religious and laity alike. 

The Imitation of Christ came at such a critical time because Catholics were feeling a bit dry and needed something else to stimulate their spiritual life. Thanks to Thomas Kempis we have been able to achieve this even today. 

The book was written sometime between 1418 and 1427 by Thomas A Kempis, as a spiritual handbook to help those trying to achieve a closer relationship with Christ. The book is broken into three sections; the first book is titled Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual life the second book is Directives for the Interior Life, and the third is On Interior Consolation the fourth book is in The Blessed Sacrament. 

As I read through the book, I found many special quotes that stood out to me, specifically because of my spirituality and what I have been hoping to achieve. For example book one opens up by saying, “HE WHO follows Me, walks not in darkness,” says the Lord. John 8:12. By these words of Christ, we are advised to imitate His life and habits if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart.”1 An open invitation to the reader to pick up their cross and follow Christ, what is even more powerful is the promise of light in the person life. How then do we achieve this level of imitation?

Furthermore, we are challenged on the way we perceive ourselves and our expectations of how the world around us see us. We are then challenged to live out true charity rather than obsessing on the things of the world and self-centeredness. “If I knew all things in the world and had not charity, what would it profit me before God Who will judge me by my deeds?”2 As applicable as this was at the time, we can see more and more of it now, how we obsess on knowledge for self-gain rather than knowledge for the sake of others. 

Book one continues to challenge the reader into leaving behind petty habits, the routine of gossip and harsh words and instead to humble ourselves in simplicity and faith. “Not to act rashly or to cling obstinately to one’s opinion, not to believe everything people say or to spread abroad the gossip one has heard, is great wisdom.”4 

“If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being learned.”

One of the great points that this book has made is about putting our trust in God and accepting that he knows what is better for us. We tend to live our lives as if everything depends on us, that we do forget about Christ and how he put his life in the hands of God. “Do not be self-sufficient but place your trust in God.”5 Moreover, our trust in God is expressed in the charity that we have towards others. 

Book two goes on to talk about the interior life and how to achieve a  better understanding of it. Specifically, how we find peace in our life. Although meditation is important, it is really about how we interiorize what we encounter, like God’s love in the people and world around us. I thought this section of the book was extremely helpful because sometimes we can just be going through the motions and actions of things, but we never truly interiorize or analyze how these things are affecting us. For example; when we are preoccupied with mundane things while we are attending mass, rather than actively participating in the Eucharistic celebration. 

“If you do not know how to meditate on heavenly things, 

direct your thoughts to Christ’s passion 

and willingly behold His sacred wounds.”7 

In part three of the book, we come to a greater understanding of ourselves in the sense of consolation. This section is truly important for those who feel that they have lost control of their lives, or that situations around them aren't the best. In a way, we find consolation in allowing these things to pass, and not being caught up by them where they become our downfall. Consolation can be incredibly important for those who have fallen away from who are struggling with their faith, for instance, after I lost my parents I couldn't understand why this was part of God’s plan. I was instead filled with pain and resentment. It wasn't until I was able to let it go and understand that they are in a better place, where the suffering of the world no longer affects them, that I had gained peace of mind and heart. “If you have ever seen a man die, remember that you, too, must go the same way.”6

Finally, part four of the book speaks about the Blessed Sacrament and the importance of spending time with Christ. For many of us, we tend to simply attend Mass, on Sundays, days of obligations and never truly see the amazing affects that spending an hour with the blessed sacrament a day can have on us. It not only helps us with everything the book has talked about this far, but it also helps us to understand better God’s will and truly get to know ourselves. 

1. Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper, 1965. Print. Pg. 4

2. Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper, 1965. Print. Pg. 5

3. Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper, 1965. Print. Pg. 13

4. Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper, 1965. Print. Pg. 13

5. Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper, 1965. Print. Pg. 22

6. Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper, 1965. Print. Pg. 21

7. Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper, 1965. Print. Pg. 34