ക്രിസ്തുവിൻ്റെ പീഡാനുഭവവും മരണവും | On the Passion of Christ According to the Four Evangelists: Prayers and Meditations

by Thomas à Kempis, Thomas Kanayamplavan (Translator)

In his famous spiritual classic, "The Imitation of Christ", Thomas à Kempis reminds the reader that in order to become a follower of Christ one must imitate his life, and to accomplish this he "Let it then be our main concern to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to imitate Christ without first knowing him, and the best way of getting to know him is by meditating on his life as it is described in the four Gospels." Thus, in this wonderful meditation book, perfect for Lent, or any time of the year, the great spiritual writer and monk presents profound, short reflections on Gospel passages about the passion and death of Christ. Each chapter, focusing on a specific aspect of the Passion of Our Lord, gives a prayer, a meditation and spiritual advice and closes with another short prayer.

Very much in the same style as his "The Imitation of Christ," this book covers the entire Passion, and makes great spiritual reading for anyone. Illustrated.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Catholic, Theology, Christianity

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Thomas Hammerken (or Hammerlein -- both mean "little hammer") / Thomas de Kempis / Thomas Hamerken von Kempen was born at Kempen (hence the "A Kempis") in the duchy of Cleves in Germany around 1380. He was educated by a religious order called the Brethren of the Common Life, and in due course joined the order, was ordained a priest, became sub-prior of his house (in the low Countries), and died 25 July 1471 (his feast is observed a day early to avoid conflict with that of James bar-Zebedee the Apostle).

Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as The Imitation of Christ, in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will.

Reviews

[Walter Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good prayerful text for the lenten season, and for meditating upon our Lord's passion and death.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best books ever written. This makes a good daily devotional for Lent or any time.

Divided into chapters, each having to do with an event from the passion & death of Christ. Very touching sentiments from an author who clearly had a very deep prayer life.

At the end there is a very beautiful series of prayers to the members of Christ's body so cruelly violated in the passion and death he underwent.

Like the Imitation of Christ this book should be on every shelf and read regularly.

[Brian J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and heartbreaking description of Christ's passion. Humbling. Helps see Mary and the Apostles' points of view at parts.

[Kateri Estano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Lenten read!! 🫶🏼

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the devotional style in which this book is written. Every aspect of Christ's passion is covered, and you will have a renewed appreciation for all He did for us. The chapters are short enough to use as a daily meditation during Lent. Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

He was a Monk and he leans towards the Catholic doctrine in his writing.

[Ilya Kozlov · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 pages samples of private intimate talks to our Lord.....teaches me how to talk.....i just does not know how to talk to Him

[Jt]

classic

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was a monk in late medieval times, best known for his work, "The Imitation of Christ". The book under review is a translation from Latin of the major portion of another of his works meditating on the life of Christ. This book translates the part dealing with Christ's passion and crucifixion. Its 35 chapters consist of a series of meditations on each event from the Last Supper and His betrayal by Judas Iscariot, His trial before the priests and Pilate, His scourging and crucifixion and death through Christ's burial in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. There are meditations on His Mother Mary and the other women who followed him to Calvary, and His entrusting His disciple John with the care of His mother. Near the end is a chapter of prayers to each part of Christ's body. The author emphasizes throughout the whole book how Jesus suffered for our sins and how He reconciles sinful humanity to God. The book is an excellent devotional read, especially during Lent and Holy Week leading up to Easter, and I highly recommend it.

[Siddhartha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Malayalam translation of the book. The book is divided into 35 chapters with each chapters focusing on an incident during passion of Christ and meditation on it. One of the chapter, 34, is prayers to different body parts of Jesus.

It's an outstanding reading experience especially during Lenten days in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. Thought it's about the last few days before Easter, it might more benefit ital if we read a chapter per day so start reading from beginning of Lent.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a series of meditations on the Passion of Christ. I could see it being a good book for Lent. It's not meant to be read straight through, so you could start the day with a chapter to put the Cross in front of you. Or read one at 3p before a DMC. Some of the messaging is obviously for those in the author's religious order, but it's certainly primarily applicable for all readers.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece of a meditation on the different aspects of the passion of Christ. It has helped me enormously to enter into this great mystery over Lent. It's particularly good for praying from but you can read it as spiritual reading too.

[Michael Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great meditations about Christ's passion. The death and burial of the Risen Saviour. There are Catholic undertones regarding the teachings of theor dogma. If you can get past this then you can see the meditations are a blessing and salve yo your weary soul.

[Nathan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great spiritual read. Read it over a short period of time, but would be better spaced out over a number of weeks. Good reader for all of Lent. Interesting to see the various reflections and spiritual disciplines from a Kempis's time.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book to read during Lent.

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful read for Lent, and with 35 different meditations, one that you can use almost every day of the entire season.

"Since you had come among us to suffer, you chose not to use your divine power but to make known your benign patience." (p. 24)

"[T]each me to accept all criticism and reproof with a calm spirit...let a humble, calm, and constant mind be my invulnerable shield." (p. 33)

"Blessed are the tears that quickly wash away past sins and recover lost graces." (p. 35)

"[A]ccording to the rule submit your whole body to the discipline." (p. 53)

"[M]ay I imitate your virtuous silence." (p. 64)

"Teach me to conquer my will, to be satisfied with few things in life, and not to desire to journey outside the monastery." (p. 72)

"As the first Adam walked about naked in paradise prior to his fall, so in like manner naked you ascended your Cross to restore that lost paradise." (p. 73)

"It hardly becomes one who is dedicated to the Passion to break out into riotous laughter, and it is less in keeping with religious decorum to exhibit a lack of gravity in one's behavior." (p. 77)

"[F]ree my soul from all love for the things of this world." (p. 78)

"[W]rite your sweet and excellent name clearly and firmly on the tablet of my heart." (p. 104)

"[T]he Lord of all things, who has need of nothing, has been brought to such a measure of misery as to speak his needs into his Father's ears." (p. 120)

"Notice the gratitude that the world shows him in return for all of his extraordinary deeds and miracles." (p. 134)

"Learn to die before you actually die." (p. 137)

"When you come upon the graves of the dead, remember that you will soon be joining them." (p. 161)

"So lament during this time of grace, when the doors of mercy are open, and when God, in whom there is abundant redemption, accepts your repentance." (p. 162)

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has become standard reading for me during Lent.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using the information from Mark, Matthew, Luke and John, Thomas a Kempis provides readings, meditations and prayers.