Contemplatives in Action
Many mystics speak of contemplation as a lived experience with God where one sifts through the feelings and thoughts of meditation, discusses these with God, and then, with God’s help, form some sort of action plan to live what they have experienced. It is an integral part of our faith journey where we come to know both God and ourselves better and realize our true identity as God’s beloved called to bring Christ into the world. As Catholics, we have a plethora of lay, religious, and ordained who have lived the contemplative lifestyle and took action to help change the world.
In chapter 1 of Matthew’s gospel, Joseph has decided to divorce Mary quietly so as not to shame her for being pregnant. In a dream, Joseph has a mystical experience with God through an angel advising that he should take Mary as his wife. In the story, this all seems to happen within a few seconds. But we know it probably took some reflection and discernment. Joseph may have asked if his dream was a real experience with God. Could Mary truly be pregnant by the Holy Spirit of God? What will happen if he takes her into his home? How mercilessly will they both be ridiculed? We do not hear how long Joseph sat with all of this, or how his conversation with God went. We do know, probably after deep prayer and discernment, Joseph hears his calling and becomes the earthly father of Jesus. Can you think of a time in your own spiritual journey where you unexpectedly met God and the experience led you to actions that were counter to what the culture would recommend?
Chapter 1 of Luke’s gospel describes Mary’s own mystical encounter. Where no dream is mentioned, she too is the recipient of an angel’s message announcing she will become a mother because of the power of the Holy Spirit. In this case, Luke tells us that Mary was greatly troubled and pondered these things before she gives her answer. But again, with the contemplation of pondering, listening, and maybe even arguing with God, (“How can this be?”), she agreed to the plan and indeed birthed Christ into the world. However, before the birth, she took immediate action and brought Christ to her cousin Elizabeth. And in the process, she sang the first canticle of Catholic Social Teaching where God takes the lowly, lifts them up, and calls them blessed, and does great things for them. She proclaims God’s mercy and his distaste for the proud and arrogant. He fills the hungry and continues to show mercy on his people. Early in her journey, Mary is bringing Christ and his mission to the world.
Still, in Luke’s gospel, Mary takes the action of traveling with Joseph to Bethlehem. After Jesus is born, the shepherds visit and recounted their own mystical experiences of angels in heaven. Once again, we are told that Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. More contemplation. More conversation with God. Who is this Jesus she has brought to humanity? What will her future look like? In the early steps of her unknown journey, how frightened this teenage girl must have been. Only eight days after Jesus’ birth, Luke tells us that a man in the temple named Simeon promises Mary that a sword will pierce her heart. I wonder what was moving in her thoughts and feelings. I wonder how she took this to God for help and consolation.
Back to Matthew’s gospel and Joseph has another dream. This time, he’s instructed to take Mary and the baby out of Israel and into the foreign and pagan land of Egypt to save the baby’s life. Joseph in his humanity had to ask: “you want me to do what?” Become refugees in Egypt? I would love to ask Joseph how those conversations with God in contemplation sounded. But I do know, contemplation usually softens our hearts and leads us to a calling. How we respond is up to us. Joseph took the risk of listening to God and saving the baby Jesus from being executed by Herod.
Advent is a wonderful time to talk to God about our current journey. It begins with quiet, holy listening. What is stirring in you? Is it from God? Ask him and wait. He will answer. And in the wait, allow him to soften your heart. Then when he asks for your response, your action will be right in line with his desires for you. It is, for me, the best way I can expand my love relationship with God and then do something about it. It’s not difficult. Just follow Mary and Joseph’s lead. They modeled contemplation and action for us 2,000 years ago, and it’s still the perfect model for many today.
