What's "wrong" with being a contemplative in today's Church?

[Michael_Heinzen]

Thank you for the many insightful comments which help me to understand and be reassured about my feelings and convictions.

From the time when the first Christian hermits left predominately pagan cities and villages that needed evangelization, in order to seek God in the wilderness, there has been soul-searching and controversy about reducing one’s active ministry for “flight” into the desert. Yet, the desert was not a place to find peace. It was a scary place in those days–the physical rigors and isolation as well as the danger to life and limb from bands of robbers and terrorists ready to prey on these Christian solitaries.

I think the key is “vocation” – what does God want; what is He calling me to do at this time and place in my life? How am I to be a good and faithful servant?

As with anything, “active” and “contemplative” can be abused, used as ways to escape personal responsibility–one through being too “involved” and “busy” to respond to the needs of those who have a right to our time and energy, and the other as a flight into a “higher calling” which rises above and leaves behind the cries of those who need us.

When it comes to constant sermonizing about helping out, I can see one reason for this; I’m sure there are others. I grew up in the Fifties when many parishes had a minimum of two priests, and religious sisters and brothers (young and older) staffed most parish positions. Laity were not encouraged, or even seen as necessary, for Church ministry (except choir members, altar boys and ushers). In those days, since churches remained unlocked, a layperson might sit quietly in a darkened, candle-scented, Gothic nave, surrounded by statues and stained-glass windows to feel and communicate with the Mysterium Tremendum of God, the loving and tender Virgin as well as the angels and saints. It was a time and place conducive to contemplation.

After Vatican II and the reawakening of the priesthood of the faithful, the upheavals of the late 60’s and 70’s with cries for social justice and action, the aging and exodus of priests and religious with few replacement vocations in an ever-growing secular culture, etc., parishes became desperate for workers to bring in the “harvest.” Since then there has been a constant pleading for active souls to help tread the wine press.

In my opinion, the benefit of this urging is that it serves as a check and balance to those who feel a yearning towards a less active life and more time for contemplative prayer and listening. Emphasis on action can aid discernment as to whether withdrawal really is a “vocation” which comes from God or simply a personal need to flee from handling the plow. Contemplation is not, however, a flight into bliss and ease.

As those in contemplative life know, whether vowed religious or laity, a genuine call is no escape into complacency and comfort. It is a desert trek, not only with stops at cool springs surrounded by peaceful and shaded palm groves, but also a passage wrought with doubt-filled and pitch-black nights, discouraging dryness, patience-robbing heat, tempting demons and roaming bands of soul-threatening terrorists. The pilgrims on this journey are seldom refreshed by letters of appreciation, applause, accolades from the pulpit or honor banquets. They only are sustained by their love for God as well as a faith and hope that He is leading them to a Promised Land on the other side of death in this earthly life. There is no escape from hardship on this exodus. It is a desert journey after all.

 

[MTD]

Very nice post, Michael. I’ve wanted to be a contemplative nun for 12 years now and intend to enter a contemplative community within a year or two. Because of this, I’ve studied the contemplative vocation quite a bit.

When I first saw your question, I wasn’t sure how much you actually knew about what the contemplative vocation is all about. In my experience in pro-life activism, I’ve seen a lot of people back out of pro-life work in favor of prayer; it seemed to me that for them it was only a way out of doing the “dirty work.”

So I couldn’t quite tell from your original post if you had a true contemplative vocation; thus my mention of both not trying to escape hard work and also the real need in our world for contemplative vocations.

After reading your last post, however, I’ll say: by all means, go for it! You’re in it for the right reasons. God bless you!

Maria

 

[Mordocai]

The world needs us to give time by praying and begging mercy.
Making reparation to Our Lord and Our Lady by being Contemplative is perhaps the most noble of all Apostolates.
To say that a Contemplative (perhaps a cloistered nun/monk or a lay person who has given their life to prayer and penance) is not active is ridiculous. They love deeper and more truly than anyone else. However they recognize the call from Jesus to pray, and so they pray.
Often the enemy tempts me with “well why aren’t you helping the poor and doing this and visiting them? Jesus says to in the Gospel” and I think, yes I should give my time for corporal works of mercy. But never neglect the spiritual works of mercy.
Mary the Mother of God certainly was not actively preaching (nor were the other women) but they helped spread the Gospel infinitely more than had they been out preaching. Why? Because they were the prayer support for the Apostles.
God calls actives and contemplatives. They’re not opposed, BOTH should be active AND contemplative. Active in prayer and contemplative in action.

Just some thoughts.
Fulton Sheen said that in these times the new actives would be contemplatives.
I think he was right. What does the world need more than anything else in the world?
Divine Mercy.

 

[jimmy]

Jesus’ replied: “Martha, Martha [the Activist], you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary [the Contemplative] has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

QUESTION: Is there anything wrong with focusing one’s life on being a contemplative in today’s Catholic Church? The vibes I get nowadays in the parish where I attend Mass is–If you are not deeply into Stewardship, giving of your Time, Talent or Treasure, you are a nominal Catholic and lacking as a Christian. I seem to get this message in most parishes where I’ve attended Mass these days.

No doubt John Paul II and Mother Teresa were active contemplatives, and many other active Marthas in this world are also contemplatives. But there are laity and contemplative religious who “give” of themselves MOSTLY through prayer rather than in marches, holding signs in front of abortion clinics, performing parish lay ministries, etc. I also did these “active things” at one time, but now I feel called to mostly PRAY and be in LOVE with God. I still give of my treasure for the missions, but I do not want to be one of the active missionaries. I no longer wish to serve in a parish ministry, but I’ll gladly give of my treasure. Yet, the other day a priest mentioned how we need to be “involved” rather than just throw money in the basket.

I’m saddened by the message I feel nowadays that if you are a Mary you are doing little for God and Brethern, somehow not living up to Matthew 25.

Hopefully my impression is incorrect. Perhaps the person who sits in front of the tabernacle or monstrance “looking at God while God looks back in an exchange of love”; or the Catholic who prays the beads or the Liturgy of the Hours; or the person who listens to God speak during Lectio with the Scriptures, instead of rushing about in active ministry, is still following a worthwhile Christian Way. Are we still pleasing our Lord, or will He say that He does not know us because He never saw us at the soup kitchen, the bed of the elderly, or holding a sign in front of the abortion clinic? What do you think?

I have had similar thoughts as you. I have thought for the last year or so that there is an emphasis on the active ministry to the detriment of the interior life. Look at who the Church canonizes anymore. They are all active ministers rather than contemplatives. Have you heard of any Carthusians being canonized in the last few hundrew years? The contemplative way is the higher way. You can not downplay it and have a proper understanding of spirituality.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

I have had similar thoughts as you. I have thought for the last year or so that there is an emphasis on the active ministry to the detriment of the interior life. Look at who the Church canonizes anymore. They are all active ministers rather than contemplatives. Have you heard of any Carthusians being canonized in the last few hundrew years? The contemplative way is the higher way. You can not downplay it and have a proper understanding of spirituality.

I’m not certain that I would say that the contemplative way is the higher way. In fact, I think I would try to avoid a conflict between the two “schools.” I don’t see how you can fruitfully undertake active ministry without a contemplative life and on the other, contemplative life has to be active (praying for the world surely has to be seen as being “actively” engaged). As for who the Church canonizes, I rather think that the saints proposed to us are supposed to assist us in the lives that we find ourselves perforce leading, which are usually “market place” lives rather than “desert lives.” It’s seems only natural that more of them would be canonized, as they are the ones who are seen. I daresay there are countless unknown contemplative saints that just simply never came to the attention of the Church, precisely BECAUSE they lead such hidden lives.

 

[jimmy]

if someone is a true contemplative, the chances are that no one else will know…

The true contemplative orders are those few ever hear about.

Sadly many think that nuns and monks who are enclosed are in some way running away from “real life”…

The Holy Father recently made a statement praising contemplatives and especially hermits; I will try to find it.

Incidentally, Sr Mary Francis, Poor Clare in " A Right to be Merry" points out that Jesus only made that remark because Martha criticised Mary…

ie it was not a direct teaching per se.

All vocations are good; Paul re the different parts of the body.
Given by Jesus

I remember reading a statement like that by the pope. It was something like, ‘there is a false idea going around that in order to be holy you have to continually be doing things. But true holiness requires prayer.’ I can’t remember exactly what it was.

Many of the saints and spiritual guides throughout history have understood Christs statements here as Christ giving a specific teaching. The Cloud of Unknowing mentions the distinction. It is mentioned by St. John Climacus. It is understood by many of the saints.

 

[jimmy]

I’m not certain that I would say that the contemplative way is the higher way. In fact, I think I would try to avoid a conflict between the two “schools.” I don’t see how you can fruitfully undertake active ministry without a contemplative life and on the other, contemplative life has to be active (praying for the world surely has to be seen as being “actively” engaged). As for who the Church canonizes, I rather think that the saints proposed to us are supposed to assist us in the lives that we find ourselves perforce leading, which are usually “market place” lives rather than “desert lives.” It’s seems only natural that more of them would be canonized, as they are the ones who are seen. I daresay there are countless unknown contemplative saints that just simply never came to the attention of the Church, precisely BECAUSE they lead such hidden lives.

The spiritual guides of the Church, St John of The Cross, the Carthusians, the author of the Cloud of Unknowing, the ancient Greek Christians put a primacy on the prayer life as the higher way. The active life is 100% necessary for all. Those who enter the contemplative life must have lived an active life. No one is going to be completely contemplative. The two ways merge. Some people are more contemplative than others. Most people are more active. There are various degrees.

The probelm I see is that the active is emphasized in every reference the Catholic spirituality in modern times. But the contemplative is completely neglected. They need to emphasize that contemplative prayer is an important aspect of the Christian life. They could atleast make statements encouraging the contemplative life.

 

[jimmy]

I’m not certain that I would say that the contemplative way is the higher way. In fact, I think I would try to avoid a conflict between the two “schools.” I don’t see how you can fruitfully undertake active ministry without a contemplative life and on the other, contemplative life has to be active (praying for the world surely has to be seen as being “actively” engaged). As for who the Church canonizes, I rather think that the saints proposed to us are supposed to assist us in the lives that we find ourselves perforce leading, which are usually “market place” lives rather than “desert lives.” It’s seems only natural that more of them would be canonized, as they are the ones who are seen. I daresay there are countless unknown contemplative saints that just simply never came to the attention of the Church, precisely BECAUSE they lead such hidden lives.

Jkirk, you want to know how I feel? I feel like it is being turned into a social gospel. Almost like the Christian life is meant to heal the problems of the earth(poverty, war, and etc.). That is what it seems to do when you neglect the contemplative life but emphasize the active. It turns it into a purely human gospel.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

The spiritual guides of the Church, St John of The Cross, the Carthusians, the author of the Cloud of Unknowing, the ancient Greek Christians put a primacy on the prayer life as the higher way. The active life is 100% necessary for all. Those who enter the contemplative life must have lived an active life. No one is going to be completely contemplative. The two ways merge. Some people are more contemplative than others. Most people are more active. There are various degrees.

The probelm I see is that the active is emphasized in every reference the Catholic spirituality in modern times. But the contemplative is completely neglected. They need to emphasize that contemplative prayer is an important aspect of the Christian life. They could atleast make statements encouraging the contemplative life.

I certainly agree with this.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Jkirk, you want to know how I feel? I feel like it is being turned into a social gospel. Almost like the Christian life is meant to heal the problems of the earth(poverty, war, and etc.). That is what it seems to do when you neglect the contemplative life but emphasize the active. It turns it into a purely human gospel.

You know, I can’t really argue with that, but I think it is important to remember that a great deal seems to hinge on that “social” gospel, ie, Jesus words “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me to drink, naked, and you clothed me, imprisoned and you visited me.” Those who DIDN’T do these things were sent away in shame. The problem with an overemphasis on the “social” gospel is that you end up a in the same boat as the Episcopal Church is in right now, ie, more concerned with the United Nation’s Millenial Developement Goals (go to the Episcopal News Service and read how often they’re mentioned) than with conversion. That’s where I think it’s a mistake to set up a false dichotomy. Dogma and doctrine, prayer and contemplation, acts of corporal and spiritual mercy, all of this is a part of the “seamless garment” of the Christian life (sadly, the phrase has been pre-empted by the liberals, because it would have been perfect to describe the balance between action and contemplation).

 

[hermitcrab]

Life in a contemplative Order, for example, is very active indeed… Caring for the elderly and sick Sisters, cooking, cleaning,… earning the money to live on…

Those who leave to be hermits also have to eat and earn.

It is after all an incarnational faith.

And no, not higher; different.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

And no, not higher; different.

And complimentary.

 

[hermitcrab]

Yes, indeed; email is such an imperfect medium of communication…

In times past, every contemplative order would have lay sisters for that very reason… but it is very hard not to let elitism creep in as this thread shows.

Of course, religious life in its fullness is grounded in humility and obedience.

And complimentary.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is nothing wrong with being contemplative, we are all called to contemplation, and if anyone denies it he is ignorant of true Christian spirituality. However do not lose sight ot the end of spirituality which is giving to God what due him and obeying his commands. Since the foremost command is to love neighbor as you love yourself, anything active or contemplative which serves, loves, forgives, intercedes for, cherishes, protects and teaches your neighbor is obedience to this command. We are given the example of the saints on how to be exceedingly elastic in defining both who is our neighbor, and what is service.

 

[MH84]

Jesus’ replied: “Martha, Martha [the Activist], you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary [the Contemplative] has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

QUESTION: Is there anything wrong with focusing one’s life on being a contemplative in today’s Catholic Church? The vibes I get nowadays in the parish where I attend Mass is–If you are not deeply into Stewardship, giving of your Time, Talent or Treasure, you are a nominal Catholic and lacking as a Christian. I seem to get this message in most parishes where I’ve attended Mass these days.

No doubt John Paul II and Mother Teresa were active contemplatives, and many other active Marthas in this world are also contemplatives. But there are laity and contemplative religious who “give” of themselves MOSTLY through prayer rather than in marches, holding signs in front of abortion clinics, performing parish lay ministries, etc. I also did these “active things” at one time, but now I feel called to mostly PRAY and be in LOVE with God. I still give of my treasure for the missions, but I do not want to be one of the active missionaries. I no longer wish to serve in a parish ministry, but I’ll gladly give of my treasure. Yet, the other day a priest mentioned how we need to be “involved” rather than just throw money in the basket.

I’m saddened by the message I feel nowadays that if you are a Mary you are doing little for God and Brethern, somehow not living up to Matthew 25.

Hopefully my impression is incorrect. Perhaps the person who sits in front of the tabernacle or monstrance “looking at God while God looks back in an exchange of love”; or the Catholic who prays the beads or the Liturgy of the Hours; or the person who listens to God speak during Lectio with the Scriptures, instead of rushing about in active ministry, is still following a worthwhile Christian Way. Are we still pleasing our Lord, or will He say that He does not know us because He never saw us at the soup kitchen, the bed of the elderly, or holding a sign in front of the abortion clinic? What do you think?

This is an interesting post. I have probably not ever been fully commited, but I have had previous interest in becoming a monk. However, it seems lately it will be a while before I can entertain that idea again .

Anyway, I have never even been inside a monastery, but I believe it is a wonderful and a humble vocation…if you are called.
A couple of issues loomed over me while I thought about a vocation as a monk. Am I thinking about it because I want to hide from the world? Do I really believe I will personally be serving God this way?

For personal spiritual growth and penitence, a cloistered life would provide a great environment, but I still question if I personally would be, at least partly, following this vocation for selfish reasons. I know that monks, hermits etc contribute to the community by prayer, physical work and for helping the Church (making bread for Mass etc.), but can’t an individual do such acts in public or in the privacy of their home?

I would just add again though, in my opinion a vocation as a religious or monk is definiately a real and great vocation for some. Many of the great saints including St Therese lived as cloistered nun I believe. And she is now a doctor of the Church.

St Therese of Lisieux, pray for us

 

[hermitcrab]

If you were entering an Order for selfish reasons, you would not last.

A vocation has to be tested - by the Order as well as by the candidate.

QUOTE=MH84;1970789]This is an interesting post. I have probably not ever been fully commited, but I have had previous interest in becoming a monk. However, it seems lately it will be a while before I can entertain that idea again .

Anyway, I have never even been inside a monastery, but I believe it is a wonderful and a humble vocation…if you are called.
A couple of issues loomed over me while I thought about a vocation as a monk. Am I thinking about it because I want to hide from the world? Do I really believe I will personally be serving God this way?

For personal spiritual growth and penitence, a cloistered life would provide a great environment, but I still question if I personally would be, at least partly, following this vocation for selfish reasons. I know that monks, hermits etc contribute to the community by prayer, physical work and for helping the Church (making bread for Mass etc.), but can’t an individual do such acts in public or in the privacy of their home?

I would just add again though, in my opinion a vocation as a religious or monk is definiately a real and great vocation for some. Many of the great saints including St Therese lived as cloistered nun I believe. And she is now a doctor of the Church.

St Therese of Lisieux, pray for us

 

[JimR-OCDS]

This is an interesting post. I have probably not ever been fully commited, but I have had previous interest in becoming a monk. However, it seems lately it will be a while before I can entertain that idea again .

Anyway, I have never even been inside a monastery, but I believe it is a wonderful and a humble vocation…if you are called.
A couple of issues loomed over me while I thought about a vocation as a monk. Am I thinking about it because I want to hide from the world? Do I really believe I will personally be serving God this way?

For personal spiritual growth and penitence, a cloistered life would provide a great environment, but I still question if I personally would be, at least partly, following this vocation for selfish reasons. I know that monks, hermits etc contribute to the community by prayer, physical work and for helping the Church (making bread for Mass etc.), but can’t an individual do such acts in public or in the privacy of their home?

I would just add again though, in my opinion a vocation as a religious or monk is definiately a real and great vocation for some. Many of the great saints including St Therese lived as cloistered nun I believe. And she is now a doctor of the Church.

St Therese of Lisieux, pray for us

Maybe you ought to go and see if life as a monk is what God is calling you to?

Most monastic orders have an aspirant period, where you go and spend a week-end, then a week, then a month with them, to see if this is where God is leading you. Also, it gives them the chance to see if they want to invite you to stay. Joining a monastery isn’t automatic, you have to be accepted.

Then, even after this period, which can take a year or more, you will then be entered into the novitiate, which can last five years, before you make temporary promises.

The discernment process in a monastery is very intense. You’ll know if it’s for you by the time you make vows.

If it were me, the Trappist order would my choice.

BTW, many orders won’t take people over 35 years of age, unless there are special circumstances, like you’re already a priest or nun, so don’t put it off too long.

God Bless
Jim

 

[krazykatlady]

I am an OCDS aspirant and will probably make my temporary promises next Fall. Anyone who thinks that a life of prayer is easy hasn’t really tried it! It is the hardest thing I have ever done! There are so many outward distractions, let alone the inward distractions. I think that Teresa of Avila wrote that the mind is like a wild horse! It is a constant battle!
Anyway, most of the people in my group are involved with the parish in some activity. We all have homes and family to take care of and some of us have jobs as well.

 

[MTD]

Anyway, I have never even been inside a monastery, but I believe it is a wonderful and a humble vocation…if you are called.

All are called to the religious life, but not all are moved to follow that call. Jesus proposed the evangelical counsels as a more sure and perfect way of following Him. He extended that call to everyone. But because it is a *counsel, *we are not required to accept it. On top of that, God in His infinite wisdom does not move all to follow that call or counsel to a more perfect way, but only some.

Am I thinking about it because I want to hide from the world?

That is a perfectly legitimate question to ask yourself; your motives for entering the religious life are very important: they define to a large extent how successful and fruitful it will be.

Do I really believe I will personally be serving God this way?

I think it is important to remember God’s part in this too. It is natural to think of our part of the deal, i.e., our service of God in choosing the religious life. But the religious life is primarily about God’s love for you. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16) “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

For personal spiritual growth and penitence, a cloistered life would provide a great environment, but I still question if I personally would be, at least partly, following this vocation for selfish reasons. I know that monks, hermits etc contribute to the community by prayer, physical work and for helping the Church (making bread for Mass etc.), but can’t an individual do such acts in public or in the privacy of their home?

Our love of neighbor will be effective and fruitful to the extent that we love God. The holier we are, the more powerful our prayer and sacrifice will be. This is why the contemplative life, even though seemingly centered on personal perfection, can be more profitable than an active life. Remember that we love our neighbor because we love God. Thus the more you love God, the more you will love your neighbor. There is no such thing as growing in the spiritual life without also growing in love of neighbor. St. Teresa of Avila tells us that the effect of the highest possible union with God is an intense thirst for the salvation of souls, such that the person will suffer anything just to save one soul.

I am always struck by the following passage from the gospel: "When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:36-38) Jesus did not tell them to go out as laborers but to pray for laborers; it is God who appoints the laborers. Again, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16) A great mystery.

Maria

 

[hermitcrab]

The good news here is that there are many orders who will take complete newcomers to religious life well over that age.

See

consecrated-life.org/over_45.htm

for women; there must be similar for men of course…

“BTW, many orders won’t take people over 35 years of age, unless there are special circumstances, like you’re already a priest or nun, so don’t put it off too long.”