The Imitation Of Christ III
Michael Kroth • February 13, 2020
It would take a lifetime just to get this starting chapter right
On September 4, 2016, I began reading a chapter of the Imitation of Christ
each day, taking notes in my journal. On January 11, 2017, I made my last entry, finishing the book. My opening entry started, “My plan is to read from this each day, select a passage to write here and to reflect upon and to work on that day.” My first quotation from the book was, “He who would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must study to make his whole life conformed to that of Christ”."
"...must study to make his whole life conformed to that of Christ." That was the key, it seemed. Doing. Being.
My final entry, on January 11, 2017, was the title of Book IV, Chapter 18, the last chapter of The Imitation, which is: "That A Man Be Not A Curious Searcher Into This Sacrament, But An Humble Follower Of Christ, Submitting His Sense To Holy Faith". Right above this I wrote “[Re read this final chapter often], later amending it to read “final 2 chapters often”.
I had completed the entire book. It had taken me a little over four months, writing an entry in my journal nearly every day. That means that I had actively read about and thought about what it means to "imitate" Christ for a good chunk of time, and about what I could do to follow in those footsteps.
That doesn’t mean I’m very good at it or ever will be, but at least it established for me an intent.
This was humbling for me because it starkly showed and shows that whichever of the qualities of Christ one wants to imitate are not necessarily ones that can be easily accomplished with an “I believe” statement. Belief statements – for me anyway – are just the starting place. They mean little if they aren’t acted on, and over a lifetime mean little at all if they aren’t marbled into who we are by what we do, or at least try to do, every day.
Some examples from the book, taken from my notes, will illustrate this journaling process. These are quotations I wrote down in my journal, taken directly from the book, and then my own reflection.
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From Book One, Chapter One:
“In truth, sublime words make not a man holy and just, but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God…study, therefore, to withdraw thy heart from the love of visible things and to turn thyself to things invisible.”
“He who would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must study to make his whole life conformed to that of Christ”
My note:
“It would take a lifetime just to get this starting chapter right. I fail and have failed on so many of these counts, and have felt hell as a result. I will work each day on “the love of things invisible” and all that goes with this.”
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From Book One, Chapter Two: Having A Humble Opinion Of Oneself
“A humble husbandship, that serves God, is better than a proud philosopher, who neglecting himself, considers the course of the heavens.”
“The more and better thou knowest, the more heavy will be thy judgment unless thy life be also more holy.”
“Be not high-minded, but rather acknowledge thine ignorance. Why wouldst thou prefer thyself to anyone, since there are many more learned and skillful…”
My note:
“This was written for me. My hubris, my flaw. Knowledge is a drop in the ocean of everything.”
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From Book One, Chapter Three: Of the Doctrine of Truth
“The humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than the deepest search after science.”
“Learning is not to be blamed, nor is more knowledge of anything, which is good in itself, and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a virtuous life, are always to be preferred before it.”
“And this must be our business, to strive to overcome ourselves, and daily to gain strength over ourselves, and to grow better and better.”
My No-note:
I didn’t have a note here. I guess I was speechless. Perhaps dumbstruck at the truths here. One truth is that book learning will not do the trick. It’s not a bad thing, indeed, it’s a good thing. But humility and virtue are of ultimate value. Second – and this is the essence of what I learned from this entire book, is that daily work is what is truly important, in order “to grow better and better”.
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From Book One, Chapter Five: Of Reading the Holy Scripture
“We ought as willingly to read devout and simple books, as those that are high and profound.”
“if thou wilt receive profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faith; and seek not at any time the fame of being learned.”
My Note:
“These sentences all speak to me directly. Not fame, not learnedness – for their sake – but humble, simple truths.”
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These are just samples of what I captured in my journal, from even more than was written in the book itself in the first few chapters. It continues anon.
In truth, reading this book and reflecting on it daily was a life-changer for me. Above all, it helped bake into me a love of healthy “practices”, in this case spiritual disciplines, as the foundation for what I have come to think of as “profound living” over the lifespan.
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References
à Kempis, T. (2013). The Imitation of Christ
(R. Challoner, Trans.). Charlotte, N.C.: Tan Books & Pub.
Photo Credits
Photos by Michael Kroth
That doesn’t mean I’m very good at it or ever will be, but at least it established for me an intent
Most of all, she is crazy about her brood. She smiles more when she’s with them. Laughs more. Enjoys more. Relaxes more. Has more fun. She just loves her family.
“…there must be millions of aging males, now slipping into their anecdotage…” ~E.B. White 1
Author's Note: I originally posted this in the Profound Bartender on April 8, 2018, and then reposted it here at Profound Living on April 25, 2018. I thought it might be a good time to repost it again.
Author's Note: This is a repost of an essay I published in 2018. I thought it was a timely topic to revisit.
“In Celtic wisdom we remember that our soul, the very heart of our being, is sacred. What is deepest in us is of God. ” ~John Philip Newell 1
We may be lights under bushels, but we can shine brightly against the dark even if we are mere candles. Together, the light may shine bright.
Silence speaks to us Listening in deep quiet… Hear what you long for! ~Patricia Leyko Connelly 1
"Elegance is the harmonious integration of simplicity, refinement, and intentionality across diverse contexts, combining timeless beauty with functional sophistication." ~ChatGPT Synthesized Definition
