The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Of meditation upon death explained
This chapter urges the reader to live with a constant awareness of death, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and the need for daily preparation.
What happens
This chapter urges the reader to live with a constant awareness of death, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and the need for daily preparation. It warns against procrastination in spiritual matters, encourages contempt for the world, and calls for a life of virtue, penance, and trust in God so that one may face death with confidence and joy.
Themes in this chapter
Contempt for the World
The chapter repeatedly urges contempt for earthly things and a pilgrim mindset, emphasizing that the world is fleeting and not our true home.
Suffering and the Cross
Submission to any adversity for love of Christ is presented as a key to a happy death, linking suffering with spiritual preparation.
Interior Life and Solitude
The call to keep the heart free and lifted up toward God, and to live as a stranger on earth, underscores the interior focus and detachment from worldly ties.
Characters to notice
- The Disciple
The narrator addresses the reader directly, urging self-examination and preparation for death.
- Jesus Christ
Quoted as the Son of Man who comes unexpectedly, and referenced as the one for whose love one should endure adversity.
- God the Father
Implied as the Lord to whom prayers and cries are directed for a happy death.
Key passages
“Today man is, and tomorrow he will be seen no more.”
Human life is fleeting; one day you are here, and the next you are gone.
Emphasizes the brevity of life and the need for constant readiness.
“If today thou art not ready, how shalt thou be ready tomorrow?”
If you are unprepared now, you cannot count on being prepared later.
Warns against procrastination in spiritual preparation.
“Learn now to die to the world, so shalt thou begin to live with Christ.”
Practice detachment from worldly things now, and you will truly live in Christ.
Connects contempt for the world with the beginning of eternal life.