Imitation of Christ I

When I decided to start this blog, this Journey blog, at the forefront of my mind is a book I have been reading now, slowly for about a month. It is My Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.

I found this at my parish library, just browsing one day.

I have heard of this book for a long time and assumed it would be very difficult and weighty. The edition I picked up that day was a beautiful one. It is written in very simple language. It also has very short chapters. My friend had another version of this book she said was in very archaic language and hard to read. I looked at it. She is right. But, I love this version. It is edited by Claire Fitzpatrick.

I have found myself relying on this book as a companion. During the move discernment I found many passages that applied. Mostly about seeking peace and detatching from worldly things. Also Kempis has written much on dealing with others.

The book is a journey. It is applying very concretely as well to my homeschool/parenting journey. There are some key thoughts he has on knowledge.

I understand that Kempis was a monk in the 1400s. His life in the monestary is much different that my and my dc's life today. But, this seems part of the journey for me. How much is really timeless? Do I read a passage he wrote and decide that, well, that does not apply?

His book is the second most published in the world. The first is the Bible. As his title states, he is trying to make an Imitation of Christ. He is not inventing new stuff. He is trying to live as Christ told us to live. When he writes, I know he is speaking to himself as well. He is struggling to walk the true Christian walk.
I am beginning to love the saints more and more. The saints are not a natural concept to me, as I was not raised Catholic. But I see that really they are just people who strove to live like Christ, to achieve as much holiness as they could while on earth. They are worthwhile for us to learn about and know. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thomas a Kempis was to my surprise never cannonized as a saint. (I googled him.) The cause began, but then was lost. I know God can work things out, so in my mind he is still a St. Thomas.

I would like to explore the book here. I like this blogging because I can take these ideas that rattle in my head all day.... as I clean, cook, run errands, talk to the boys and my friends.. and put them all in one place. It seems to make them more cohesive. More real. Seems I am chasing them less, when they end up on paper. Then I can go read them again a week later and see what I thought, if it still rings true, where I have been since then.

I have found that with reading IOC. It comes up over and over. So, I hope to capture some of it here.

God Bless,
Cindy