Our “bright young things” are always monitoring statistics at our web sites and they have noticed that more and more people are searching for “contemplatives in action.” I wonder why? Is it that life is getting so hectic and unbalanced that folks are looking for a saner way to live?
Ignatian spirituality, as you know, makes a big deal about “contemplation in action.” But what does this mean? Bill Barry in his book, A Friendship Like No Other, cuts to the chase when he writes:
Engaging closely with God over time, we allow the Spirit to transform us into people who are more like the images of God we are created to be—that is, more like Jesus, who was clearly a contemplative in action.
For me, contemplation in action is all about the Examen, the prayer developed by Ignatius to help us gradually to find God in all things. So important was this prayer to Ignatius that he told his scholastics (seminarians) that if they got too busy, they could drop spiritual reading, the rosary and even the Mass, but that they should always make their Examens.
What does “contemplation in action” mean for you?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Fr.,
Im new here. I like learning about the Exercises. Examen feels like a type of “closure” for the day. I downloaded the Exercises from Itunes this summer, they are very deep thought for a busy husband/father of 4.
Todd
Todd,
First and foremost, welcome and thank you for your comment.
I think about how you downloaded the Exercises from iTunes and allow my mind to be blown as I consider what Ignatius would have made of that action!
Paul
My first thought was of the Trappist monks up in an Abby in MA. Although their lifestyle suggests otherwise they are very much engaged in the world and its problems.
But I think we all know contemplativies in action. There is a couple in our town who run a free health care clinic for the poor. Another couple have operated for years a clinic for the poor in Haiti. Those are the obvious contemplatives.
A mother walking the floor at night with a sick child in her arms is a true contemplative, as is the father who sits at the table at night helping his children with their homework.
Maybe all we need to be a “contemplative in action” is to unite ourselves to our Lord as we go about the daily business of our vocation in life??
Bob,
Love, love, love the examples of “contemplation in action” that you give. And, yes, you’re right — given our busy lives, I think we’re all called to be contemplatives in action.
Paul
This is a topic dear to my own heart for many reasons. My life is very much about a “both/and” rather than “either/or” way of being. For me, being a “contemplative in action,” (which is what I hope to be) is about living in the tension between the two.
I would like to think that my life is a prayer. As I go about my more mundane tasks I hope that I go always connected to God in my heart. My day begins with a period of reading and silence, prayer and journaling. Some days feel rich and wise and deep and other days it is an arid desert. In any case, I am compelled to do this as I make my way into the world.
My work in the parish allows me the great gift of interacting with people all day – as I like to say, I prayed at my desk more often when I was a corporate Senior VP! However, my prayer now is hospitality and service to God’s people and that is another sort of prayer, my prayer of active contemplation.
Am I making any sense? I just came from my prayer and must get my coffee! God bless you richly for giving us such lavish food for thought (and prayer and action!) here.
Fran,
You make magnificent sense. Yes, we’re talking about living a tension — between (sometimes frenetic) activity and mindfulness that, at every moment, we live and move in the presence of our loving God.
I praise God for your insight and courage in living out God’s dream for you.
Paul
Fran, parts of your post mirror my daily life and my feelings. I work with people all day, tho not in my parish. It is a challange to be present with Christ while I am working with others. I hope my work can be come “active contemplation.”
Today I will be actively contemplating the mashed and the sweet for tomorrow along with the stuffing and carrots. Let me remember the blessing of having this food to prepare for a family that I love. Let me remember Who is with me as I start to wear down later this afternoon. There is so much to contemplate in the cooking and preparation.
m.
Marg,
You’re right on. As you say, “Let me remember Who is with me as…” I pray that all of us might be as focused as you are.
Paul
One of the people I have admired most in my life is a nun who used to be my high school principal, who ‘lived what she preached’. I know she spent hours in the chapel in silent prayer. She unobtrusively helped girls in need- some of these stories of what she did came out at a recent school reunion.
She re-worked her life to have but only the barest of possessions, whilst living among the poor in one of our ‘poorer’ suburbs. Then she went to Peru where for many years she was a missionary, working with many, including those suffering from AIDS. I know her strength to do all this came from her prayer.
I am not a practising Catholic, but I remain inspired by this woman who lives a life of contemplation in action.
Margaret,
Your lovely testimony to the nun who was your principal brought strong memories of my own sister who is a missionary in Brazil.
She lives so lightly upon the earth that you could pack up her earthly possessions in about ten minutes. The only thing that lets you know that her room isn’t for guests is one family photograph.
Her example helps me to be less attached to what is far more important than mere things.
Paul
My life is low on action with my primary action being receiving care. My contemplation is to recognize God in my caregivers and thank them and thank God for them.
Eric,
My friend. “Low on action” does not equate to “low in impact.” You have changed my life and every day I give thanks and praise for you.
Paul
Paul
God brought you into my life just when I needed you. It is a blessing to hear that I have had an impact on you. I am used to Jesuits coming to my spiritual rescue.
I am new to the term “comtemplation in action” as I’m new to many concepts that I have been embracing recently; however, Fr. Eric, I think of you when I consider contemplation in action because in the short time that I have been visiting this blog, you have blessed me with words of wisdom and given me much to ponder. When you say that you are “low on action”, you must remember that receiving with grace is a very important action which many people find very difficult. It is often much easier to be the giver than the receiver; I learned many lessons about my pride when I found myself being the receiver of help from others rather than the giver. It is a real grace to be able to receive from others.
God bless you, Fr. Eric. You are in my prayers.
Lynda,
Amen, Amen. Thank you for recognizing Eric’s gifts to us all.
Paul
Fr. Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. says that ‘Mary chose the better part – perhaps the ‘best’ part is both’ and that could very well be contemplation in action. Action that is not grounded in prayer can be that ‘noisy gong’ and true prayer leads to action. What a model we have in Jesus. That, to me, is the definition of contemplation in action.
Andie,
Wow. Such wisdom and insight… In the end, we all must come around to Jesus and the example He gives us.
Paul
Centered. Unshakable “Contemplative in action” brings a picture of someone with a quiet soul. Someone busy with life and what it entails – job, family, health, outreach – but with an inner calm. Someone in the world but not of it. It conjures up in me an image of the eye of a storm – still and quiet inside while everything hurtles crazily around. Someone whose body goes busily around doing his/her tasks while inwardly resting in the arms of the Lord. Mary in Martha’s clothing.
Eric,
Receive, contemplate, recognize and thank are all verbs. They are actions too.
Angela,
Right on. Thank you.
Paul
A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to all who will be celebrating tomorrow.
Carol,
Thank you for your good wishes and I send them — multiplied – right back at you. I wish you every joy.
Paul