PROOF that Jesus Christ was a Contemplative!!
Blogs are sometimes tricky to write regularly because creating themes can be challenging. I’ve been writing for quite a while, but the good news is that I have developed a prayer routine and a writing rhythm that ensures that I keep on track. However, my home is in the 12 months of renovations. The upset of builders coming and going is pulling me from my routine is stressful enough, but the pull from Protestantism to Catholicism is added to that.
A few times, I have been writing in my local pub away from the chaos of the building work. I sit down and enjoy breakfast and coffee, then get to work. Until now, I have only done this now and then, but I want to form the habit of doing it more often. Writing in a pub draws conversation and curiosity when I tell the enquiries that I am sermon writing. My intention to write is all about sharing the Love of Jesus with all who are interested. I am not the best writer in the world, as I am dyslexic. But I hope I can get my ideas across clearly and excitingly. What do you think? Where can I improve? Let me know in the comments.
Earlier this year, I led a quiet retreat day in my area on how mindfulness helps with contemplative prayer.
The Theology of Mindfulness
Our minds get busy as we absorb outside chatter, which can assault our ears and minds, causing us a certain amount of stress. We also contend with inner chatter, where we sometimes fail to turn it off, not allowing us to rest or sleep.
Developing the mindfulness habit will help us control the external and internal chatter, which gives us back the command of our thought and prayer life.
Although you will not find the word ‘mindfulness’ in the Holy Scriptures because it’s a modern word, you will certainly find it in principle in both the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and New Testament).
Jesus The Contemplative
Jesus was a contemplative… and the best teacher of contemplation! Jesus is the expert and our very source of contemplation. Western Christianity historically identifies more with action than with contemplation, and though action is meaningful, action cannot reach its full fruition without contemplation. Contemplative prayer involves:
- Interiority: going into “our inner room” (Mt 6:6)
- Silence: prayer is about brevity, simplicity, and trust
- Calmness: freedom from anxiety and obsession with material things
- Mindfulness: focusing on God’s Kingdom before all else
- In the Now: living in the present moment, free from fear of the future.
Contemplation is “a path, an experience, a lifelong practice, an expansion and deepening of consciousness. Recovering the elements of contemplation is crucial to our relationship with Christ, our relationship with others, and the recognition of the Divine Presence in all of creation. Contemplative orders recognise this reality and that contemplation is not about the solitary but community, not about an enthusiasm to change but a capacity to coexist in search of wisdom — a solidarity with all creation. Turning to Christ as the teacher of contemplation, we can understand the wisdom imparted for us all to discover.
I attend each week the Adoration of the Holy Sacrament. During this time, contemplation comes to the fore as I sit for 90 minutes adoring and pondering upon Christ Himself within the Host.
What does the Bible Say?
As evidence of Christ’s contemplative nature, we certainly can point to the various times Jesus leaves to pray either alone or with a few of his disciples (e.g., Lk 6:12, 9:18, 22:39), teaching us that “religion without contemplation lacks an essential part of holiness. We are going through the motions of our faith — attending weekly Mass, saying set prayers, and volunteering to help the poor. Without a contemplative dimension, we get only so far and miss the target of taking the heart of Jesus’ message of love and care for all. Jesus teaches us more than “go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father in secret” (Mt 6:6). He tells us to put our prayers into action and show the world Hid divine mercy. Contemplation and action together are imperative to our spiritual life.
As good spiritual directors know, asking the right question (without offering answers) opens an individual to fruitful contemplation and reflection. Jesus uses this ‘open question’ technique, asking, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8:29, Mt 16:15). This question, so personal, so direct, carries us into the contemplative dimension. Like Peter, we are tempted to give the set “correct” answer, missing Jesus’ point that there is no “correct” or “incorrect” answer.
Contemplation helps you find your answer. Jesus, the ultimate paradox, helps us hold contradictions and see that the way to God’s Kingdom is through letting go of power and control and then replacing it with forgiveness, compassion, solidarity with others, humbleness, and wisdom. Jesus is our contemplative teacher. Jesus knows to ask us a question and how to challenge and lead to the Kingdom. We have to pay attention to the quest in the questioning.
Mary & Martha
Jesus also shows us how to bring together contemplation and action. If we turn to the story of the two sisters Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38–42), we find Martha and Mary symbolising action and contemplation, respectively. Mary and Martha typify the two halves of our soul.
As Jesus visits, Martha is the one who is scurrying around (like so many of us do daily), stressed over the many tasks at hand to prepare for her guests. Mary, on the other hand, is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening attentively to his every word. Perhaps more shocking than Martha’s telling Jesus what to do (“Tell her then to help me.”) is Jesus’ calm reply that she is unduly stressing herself and that “Mary has chosen the better part.” (Lk 10:42). What Martha forgets (a mistake made by cultures, religions, as well as individuals) is that Mary is working as well — being still and listening. ,Here Jesus is teaching us the supremacy of contemplation over action, for our being comes before our doing.
Contemplation helps move us beyond our egos and self-importance. Balancing our non-action and action is not easy, but our wholeness depends on it (Lord, forgive the things I fail to do).
We must have a deep sense of who we are in Christ before our actions align with Christ’s. Like Jesus, the perfect example of the harmony between action and contemplation is that one should seek to withdraw from time to time to pray and contemplate. In this way, we must not neglect weekly Mass and should ensure we attend the Adoration, Rosary and other meetings of prayer your parish offers.
Balance is the Key to Growing in Christ
Though achieving the proper equilibrium is difficult, Jesus shows us how to balance action and contemplation. Jesus shows us how to express non-violence, show compassion, and live in the divine image in which God made us. His de-legalising sin and associating it with grace and forgiveness does not exclude punishment for sin. Taking responsibility for our sins transforms our inner quest, transforming the outward reality.
In teaching us contemplation, Jesus gives us the means of seeing God in each person and throughout creation. He gives us the means to “not be afraid” despite conflict, anxiety, and obsessions. Jesus teaches us how to live in the present moment, balancing contemplation and action — living a contemplative life in a hectic world.
Thank you for reading to the end. For more articles, visit Your Wellness Matters at www.paularoseparish.com. And if this article has helped you in a small way, please like it and comment.
Please follow and subscribe to receive regular updates, which will help me reach and help more people and grow my platform — thank you.
I have worked internationally with over 40 years of experience, having a Bachelor of Pastoral Counselling and Theology and a Master of Arts in Counselling & Professional Development. BACP Life Coaching Certificate. I currently work as a Christian educator, blogger, author, and grandmother living with my two dogs in Wales, UK.
If you wish to connect with me, please do so at paularoseparish@gmail.com
💕Want to help support me as an author? My books are available at AMAZON.
📚Nothing Good about Grief: Path to Recovery with Psalm 23 after COVID-19 & other losses.
📚Psalm 23 Unwrapped: Hope in Difficult Times.
FOLLOW ME ON-
Pinterest — https://www.pinterest.co.uk/proseparish/
Medium- www.medium.com/@paularoseparish_54798
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/paula.roseparish.5/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paularoseparish2020/?hl=en
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-rose-parish-6320a6181/
