Illustrated Insights from The Imitation of Christ—Internal Consolation

 

"United Nations Secretary-General"

Of The Imitation of Christ Eugene Peterson wrote in his book invitingly titled Take and Read:  "This is the most widely published and read book on spirituality in our tradition. It is amazing how well its medieval monkishness carries over into the modern world. When Dag Hammarskjöld was killed in an airplane crash in Africa, the books found in his briefcase were the Bible and The Imitation." Dr. Hammarskjöld was a wise and well-respected Swedish humanitarian and economist who became the second Secretary-General of the United Nations. His only book, Vägmärken (Markings), was published posthumously in 1963 and shows The Imitation's influence: "We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours. He who wills adventure will experience it—according to the measure of his courage. He who wills sacrifice will be sacrificed—according to the measure of his purity of heart."

The Imitation of Christ is divided into four parts:

1. Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul
2. The Interior Life
3. Internal Consolation
4. An Invitation to Holy Communion

It is a brief, timeless book. The third part, Internal Consolation, has 59 chapters but they are short ones.

Part 1. Thoughts Helpful in the Life of the Soul: click here

Part 2. The Interior Life: click here

Part 3. Internal Consolation

 1. The Inward Conversation of Christ with the Faithful Soul

 2. Truth Speaking Inwardly Without the Sound of Words

 3. Listening Humbly to the Words of God—Many Do Not Heed Them

 4. Walking Before God in Humility and Truth

 5. The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love

 6. The Proving of a True Lover

 7. Grace Hidden Under the Mantle of Humility

 8. Self-Abasement in the Sight of God

 9. All Things Should Be Referred to God as Their Last End

10. The Sweetness of Serving God and Not Being Conformed by the World

11. The Longings of Our Hearts Must Be Examined and Moderated

12. Acquiring Patience in the Fight Against Sexual Temptation

13. Humbly Submitting to the Example of Jesus Christ

14. Not Being Proud of One's Own Good Deeds

15. How One Should Feel and Speak on Every Desirable thing

16. Seeking True Comfort in God Alone

17. Placing All Our Care in God

18. Christ-like Patience in Bearing Suffering

19. True Patience in Suffering

20. Confessing Our Weaknesses

21. Resting in God Above All Goods and Gifts

22. Remembering the Innumerable Gifts of God

23. Four Things That Bring Great Peace

24. Avoiding Curious Inquiry About the Lives of Others

25. The Basis of Firm Peace of Heart and True Progress

26. The Excellence of a Free Mind

27. Self-Love Is the Greatest Hindrance to the Highest Good

28. Strength Against Slander

29. How We Must Call Upon and Bless the Lord When Trouble Presses

30. The Quest of Divine Help

31. To Find the Creator, Forsake the Creatures

32. Self-Denial and the Renunciation of Evil Appetites

33. Restlessness of Soul

34. God Is Sweet Above All Things and in All Things

35. No Security from Temptation in This Life

36. The Vain Judgments of Men

37. Pure and Entire Resignation of Self to Obtain Freedom of Heart

38. The Right Ordering of External Affairs

39. Not Being Preoccupied About One's Affairs

40. No Good and No Glory

41. Earthly Honors at Arm's Length

42. Peace Not Placed in Men

43. Vain and Worldly Knowledge

44. Not Being Fixated on Outward Things

45. All Men Are Not to Be Believed, for It Is Easy to Err in Speech

46. Trust in God Against Slander

47. Every Trial Must Be Borne for the Sake of Eternal Life

48. The Day of Eternity and the Distresses of This Life

49. The Desire of Eternal Life

50. How a Desolate Person Ought to Commit Him or Herself to God

51. When We Cannot Attain to the Highest

52. What to Consider Oneself Worthy Of

53. God's Grace Not Given to the Earthly Minded

54. The Different Motions of Nature and Grace

55. The Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace

56. Denying Ourselves and Imitating Christ

57. Not Being Too Downcast When Falling into Defects

58. High Matters and Hidden Judgments

59. All Hope and Trust Are to Be Fixed in God Alone

Part 4. An Invitation to Holy Communion

To Read, Ponder, and Imitate for Yourself!