How does being a contemplative help the poor, suffering, etc.?

[sabriner]

I have a small dilemma. I know that definitely yes, being a contemplative and offering a life of prayer helps all the world’s souls, but I just cannot figure out a way to explain it! Please, my friend is not sure about his Catholic faith but is still interested in learning about it, and this is one of the questions he has.

(He posted this article and he asked, “This is painful to read, but how can I help?” I half-jokingly said, join the convent like me. He asked me to explain. Hmm.)

eek, help!

a clear and concise answer would be good, but also quotes from saints are good.

I know the missionary contemplative life of St. Therese of Liseux is pretty much an example of this concept…

 

[Victorious]

I have a small dilemma. I know that definitely yes, being a contemplative and offering a life of prayer helps all the world’s souls, but I just cannot figure out a way to explain it!

Well, here are some explanations, all rooted in the fact that nothing we can do is more powerful than prayer:

– Great apostolic works in the world need to be backed by prayer and sacrifice. Some contemplative orders (e.g., the Redemptoristines) are explicitly charged with supporting by prayer the apostolic works of another order.

– There is a need to thank God for His many gifts,and to make reparation for sin and indifference, and there are orders devoted to doing just that. Example: the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (Mother Angelica’s order) devote their lives to adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in thanksgiving and to offer reparation for all the sins committed against the same Sacrament.

– The chosen souls (i.e., the religious) draw down grace and mercy upon the rest of the world. St. Faustina said that it was revealed to her that the chosen souls, burning as sacrifices before God’s throne, maintain the world in existence, and that when their number is fulfilled, the world will end. Remember that God told Abraham that if He could find ten righteous men within the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, he would spare those cities? Think of the contemplatives as those ten righteous men, for whose sake God has mercy on the rest of us. (And we kid ourselves if we think we’re not living smack in the middle of Sodom and Gomorrah.)

 

[adowcday]

Contemplative prayer fosters a deeper love for God and for others. It changes us inwardly, helping us to become more like Christ. It makes us more aware and sensitive to reality, including both what is wonderful about the world and what we normally avoid or shun, such as injustice, poverty, etc. All these things can and should contribute to our caring for the poor and suffering rather than focusing on our own needs.

 

[Benadam]

They witness to the poor and suffering the union with God that their condition makes them more disposed to experience.

 

[Elizabeth502]

(1) Read Thomas Merton.

(2) A contemplative life does not require one to be ignorant. The more one reads about the world’s (and the poor’s) troubles, the more specific one’s prayer can be.

(3) In addition to changing one’s own heart, prayer --especially when directed this way–changes the hearts of others (who might be generous to the poor, provide practical rescue, & institute social changes).

(4) Fasting makes prayer more efficacious.

(The best answer is #1)

 

[Victorious]

(1) Read Thomas Merton.

(2) A contemplative life does not require one to be ignorant. The more one reads about the world’s (and the poor’s) troubles, the more specific one’s prayer can be.

(3) In addition to changing one’s own heart, prayer --especially when directed this way–changes the hearts of others (who might be generous to the poor, provide practical rescue, & institute social changes).

(4) Fasting makes prayer more efficacious.

(The best answer is #1)

Not sure it’s altogether a good idea to read Thomas Merton without discrimination…

 

[Elizabeth502]

Not sure it’s altogether a good idea to read Thomas Merton without discrimination…

What are you talking about? He’s hardly controversial.

Are you referring to his late-in-life tangential interest in the relationship of Buddhism to Christian mysticism?

 

[sabriner]

What are you talking about? He’s hardly controversial.

Are you referring to his late-in-life tangential interest in the relationship of Buddhism to Christian mysticism?

If that’s not what he’s talking about, that’s what I was thinking.

Though I did read some of Merton’s writings, and really enjoyed them (read some of “The Sign of Jonas”), I heard about his “tangential interest” and that his later writings could be potentially harmful to someone not entirely solid in their faith. But I have no first-hand experience in reading them, so I’d really appreciate it if you could elaborate

Thanks for all the answers. They’re helping

 

[RoncalliM]

Intellectually, I agree with all of the above posters. As young person though, I can tell you from firsthand experience that focus on prayer IS NOT a winning strategy to convert people nowadays. You truly have to focus on bringing about the Kingdom on Earth through good works. No faith has such a focused, dynamic social teaching as the Catholic Church. Emphasize this to your friend, in my opinion.

 

[Benadam]

This is an old saying that originates from the pagans who witnessed the martyrdom of Christians in the first centuries. I paraphrase.

**The persecuted christians rejoiced at the opportunity to forgive knowing that forgiveness adds power to their prayers. **

The opportunity to forgive is inhehrent to contemplative life in that it is prayer that lifts the heart up to God. Better said, it’s prayer that God reaches down and joins. Union with God and a share in God’s suffering. Padre Pio comes to mind.

 

[Dale_M]

Well, here are some explanations, all rooted in the fact that nothing we can do is more powerful than prayer:

Yes, that was the response of one Trappistine nun when challenged by a laywoman with the question of this thread. I think the contemplative life requires immense faith, because it relies upon God to produce change, rather than relying upon one’s own deeds. But the nun I mentioned earlier did say that she, and others in her abbey, sometimes wrestled with the question. Living a life of faith is hard.

 

[sabriner]

Would pointing out Jesus’ praise of Mary (of Martha & Mary) be an appropriate response?

And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10: 41-42)

 

[jpk1313]

well in being contemplative means you do alot of thinking and in that thinking maybe you could think of ways to improve the world and help the poor. if it was not for some thinking person thinking thoughts about helping poor people that thinking person would not have thought up that awsome thought of homeless shelters and food banks ect. so start thinking deep thoughts and perhaps one day you will think a thought that will get other people thinking thoughts that will help the poor.

 

[Roman_Army]

Umm… I might be ignorant about how religious orders run, but it is my understanding that monasteries do provide material aide to the poor and the sick. Some monasteries even sell things that the monks make like wine, coffee, clothing, pottery, literature, etc., in which the profit would go to support the monastery and charity. They might even request donations to charity from the laity that they serve or who support them. Also, there are different vocations in the Church. Perhaps a contemplative monk would not provide as much material aide to the poor as would a Franciscan friar, but their vocations are different. A contemplative monk is more concerned with the spiritual works of mercy whereas a Franciscan might be more concerned with the corporal works of mercy.

 

[Victorious]

Perhaps a contemplative monk would not provide as much material aide to the poor as would a Franciscan friar, but their vocations are different. A contemplative monk is more concerned with the spiritual works of mercy whereas a Franciscan might be more concerned with the corporal works of mercy.

Minor point: there are contemplative Franciscans (e.g., the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration).

One thing about focusing on the spiritual works of mercy rather than the corporal works of mercy. With the corporal works of mercy, you see the fruits right away: you can see the hungry being fed, and the naked being clothed. But those who lead the contemplative life seldom see the fruits of their labors in this life.

So in a sense, the contemplative life has to be harder, because you can’t see the effects of what you’re doing.

 

[sabriner]

One thing about focusing on the spiritual works of mercy rather than the corporal works of mercy. With the corporal works of mercy, you see the fruits right away: you can see the hungry being fed, and the naked being clothed. But those who lead the contemplative life seldom see the fruits of their labors in this life.

So in a sense, the contemplative life has to be harder, because you can’t see the effects of what you’re doing.

ah, yes. I never really thought of it that way.

 

[Roman_Army]

Minor point: there are contemplative Franciscans (e.g., the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration).

One thing about focusing on the spiritual works of mercy rather than the corporal works of mercy. With the corporal works of mercy, you see the fruits right away: you can see the hungry being fed, and the naked being clothed. But those who lead the contemplative life seldom see the fruits of their labors in this life.

So in a sense, the contemplative life has to be harder, because you can’t see the effects of what you’re doing.

Yes, good point. It certainly is harder to persevere in such a hard life without being consoled in seeing the fruits of your labors. Good point also in pointing out that there are contemplative Franciscans. Now, I recall St. Padre Pio was a contemplative Franciscan Capuchin friar priest, he also founded a hospital to care for the poor free of charge in his hometown and that hospital still exists today serving the poor. As you are aware many miraculous healings were attributed to his intercessions, yet he recognized the need for natural science to help heal the sick as well.