Contemplation and Action: Two Sides that make up the Coin of Discipleship

I was listening to Sermon 654 of Fr. Robert Baron's audio sermon collection on his website Word on Fire. This particular sermon was for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time and reflected upon the gospel story of Mary and Martha where Martha is hustling around the kitchen while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus. The sermon is very good and I recommend taking a listen as I don't plan on giving a play by play of the whole thing.

However, there were two points or themes from the sermon that caught my attention. First the relationship between contemplation (Mary) and action (Martha) in light of the Christian tradition. Second, was how this relationship (and Jesus in His teachings in general) challenged social norms/culture of the greater society. In particular these themes drew my attention in relationship to the year of service I am about to embark upon. However, before seeing the connection I think short elaboration would be helpful.

In relation to the relationship between contemplation and action in the Christian tradition, Fr. Robert Barron makes many excellent points, many of which I am about to reiterate to some extent. Primarily in today's society, it is good to be busy. It's all about the "go go go" and accomplishing as many tasks, errands, assignments, and work as possible. That isn't inherently bad, being productive can be, well, productive. However, in the Christian context, being all "go go go" like Martha isn't necessarily productive. On the contrary it can be very counter-productive...at least all by itself. Fr. Baron points out that contemplation is an essential piece of the Christian lifestyle. For it is through contemplation we listen to God, we consider the calling and will of God. Through this process of contemplation not only do we gain direction for our discipleship but we gain harmony as well. This later bit I can personally attest to, when I fail to make time to devote towards contemplation, I loose rhythm and I loose touch with both God and myself. In the abbreviated words of St. Augustine, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.

So how does contemplation relate to action? Well as I've already said, direction of our discipleship for one thing. But also contemplation allows for the greater fulfillment of action. However, it's worth noting that contemplation isn't necessarily understanding or having an answer, sometimes we just have to live the questions posed in our contemplation with hope and faith that one day we'll find ourselves living the answers. But back to what I was initially going to say which was that action informed by contemplation is action where God becomes central.

Why am I doing JVC? I heard about JVC through an information session at Boston College regarding their M.Div program at the STM. Well my initial action to do JVC admittedly had to do with my graduate education. However, committing a year of my life to living in a spiritual and simple manner with a community while seeking social justice through the lens of Catholicism just so I could get a graduate degree didn't compute. There had to be something else and contemplation has been the process to reveal that to me. I dare not say I have the answer because I totally don't.This is one of those times in my life where I have to live the question in hopes that one day I will discover myself living the answer. However, this much I know, JVC will be life-changing. How, I cannot fully say although I have my suspicions. Whatever happens during my year of JVC, will happen because I am now aware of the possibility of them because of contemplation. Contemplation has added a whole new dimension to my action, my decision to do JVC.

So what about the counter-cultural nature of this relationship minus the religious aspect of it? Well as I've already said, contemplation challenges the notion that one must always be on the go. Rather it proposes time to stop, think, consider, and reflect. I'd even push as far to say it challenges us to rest, to take a break from action altogether. For how can one effectively contemplate and act when one is burnt out and tired? God gave us the Sabbath to rest, not to make time and a half at work like society urges us to. While the choice is ours, one choice is the pursuit of something worldly, temporal, and as suggested by Lumen fidei idolatrous (for a commentary on the document click here). The other choice, however, is one in the pursuit of the one thing that will give our restless hearts rest and the one thing that will fill that inevitable emptiness in our hearts and bring us true joy. Talk about counter-cultural.

As always thanks for reading. Thoughts and prayers for Jessica, Michael, and myself are always welcome. Thanks and God Bless!