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The Imitation of Christ & Saint Stephen

Reflecting on the life of Jesus and participating in it, Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ seems to be a perfect manual of practice. It instructs on what you should be and do to imitate Christ. Thomas spells them out in his book and Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr lived it out.

The content of this reflection is:

  1. The Concept of the Imitation of Christ
  2. Musing One
  3. Musing Two
  4. Musing Three

Acts 7:55-60

Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them;” and when he said this, he fell asleep. 

The Concept of the Imitation of Christ

The concept of the ‘imitation of Christ’ has been a motif of Christian spirituality, theology, and social teaching on one hand, and a way or rule of life for Christian living, on the other. Most Christian writers, saints and church fathers devoted their time and energy sourcing out the meaning and impact of life with Christ. Saint Augustine of Hippo, for example considered the imitation of Christ as the main reason of Christian life and a way to put to rights the imitation of the sins of Adam. Francis of Assisi viewed imitating Christ from the perspective of following his path of poverty. For example, Jesus was poor at birth, died naked on the cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb. 

A compendium of what imitating Christ means is summarised in the book, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, a 15th century devotional book. The main emphasis of this book is ‘on the interior life,’ ‘withdrawal from the world’ and ‘on the Blessed Sacrament.’

In Acts 7: 55-60, Stephen followed the path of his Master, Jesus. He said what Jesus said while in agony on the cross and did the same thing he did. From Saint Luke’s account:

§  Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

§  Stephen cried out in a loud voice: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them;” (Acts 7:60).

§  Jesus cried out in a loud voice: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

§  Stephen called out: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59).

Stephen followed his Master to the end. He forgave his persecutors and that was his final bearing out of the content of his soul. He was purged of any bitterness in his heart that may be seeking for revenge. This lyric of Don Moen in his “God with Us” album tells more of the imitation of Christ from the point of view of what Jesus did for us: 

He walked where I walked | He stood where I stand | He felt what I feel | He understands | He knows my frailty | Shared my humanity | Tempted in every way | Yet without sin | One of a hated race | Stung by the prejudice | Suffering injustice | Yet He forgives! | Wept for my wasted years | He paid for my wickedness | He died in my place | That I might live (Don Moen, God with Us).

Imitating Christ means that you considered ‘Jesus’ and ‘his way’ the perfect ‘method of life,’ that is, following a particular practice of accomplishing a fulfilled life. To imitate Christ is to view him as your gateway of glory and pathway to peace. Follow the musings and consider your ‘method of life’ in Christ.

Musing One

It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope for any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men. (Thomas a Kempis - The Imitation of Christ)

Musing Two

God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another’s burdens; for no man is without fault, no man without his burden, no man sufficient of himself, no man wise enough of himself; but we ought to bear with one another, comfort one another, help, instruct, and admonish one another (Thomas a Kempis - The Imitation of Christ). 

Musing Three

If you live, you will be subject to change, whether you will it or not - now glad, now sorrowful; now pleased, now displeased; now devout, now undevout; now vigorous, now slothful; now gloomy, now merry. But a wise man who is well taught in spiritual labour stands unshaken in all such things, and heeds little what he feels, or from what side the wind of instability blows (Thomas a Kempis - The Imitation of Christ).

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