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A Word From Our Associate . . .
Contemplation or Wordless Prayer
Scripture call contemplation, "the one thing necessary." In Luke's Gospel, chapter 10, Jesus says, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing; Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her," Upon hearing the story, one is immediately led to wonder, "well, what is the one thing necessary?" Psalm 27 describes it this way,
"One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after;
to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."
This is an adequate description of Mary, in Luke's account, who "sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying." She was silent, adoring, listening, and communing with the Lord through love. That in a nutshell is Christian contemplation. It is imageless and wordless prayer. It may be defined as a "loving gaze upon the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, indwelling the human soul."
Contemplation is the highest form of prayer. It is what the saints pursued, the mystics enjoyed, and what will be our experience for an eternity in heaven. It is a gift from God. It cannot be acquired by one's own efforts, but comes to the one who: seeks to love God will all their heart, mind, soul, and strength; strives to live the moral life in all its integrity, and to fulfill the Father's will in all life's choices (asking forgiveness when failing, which all the saints could also relate to); and prays daily, so that it becomes a life sustaining habit.
Contemplative prayer is quite difficult for the young father and mother of three little children to think much about. It is also difficult for the family with high school kids in every sport and extracurricular activity possible. However, it is not just for religious sisters, priests and monks. It is the goal toward which today's prayerful activities tend and culminate. It often comes to those who after having raised their children, are now able to take more time to slow down, reflect and meditate. Yet from the busyness of life's activities, we all must periodically retreat, to appreciate silence, solitude, and the presence of God within. God knows our state of life, and offers us the grace to fulfill our vocation and responsibilities today. He invites each one of us, who can relate to Martha, to step back certain moments, every day, to be a little like Mary.
Here are three practical suggestions. One, make a simple prayer each morning, offering the entire day to God, with all its struggles and successes, and then, as Mother Theresa would say, "try to recognize God in everything." This is by its very nature, a participation in the same gift of contemplation. One who is able to recognize God's hand and presence throughout the day, simultaneously adores and contemplates His beauty. Two, try to build a habit of daily meditation. This would include not just rote prayers, but spontaneous conversation with Jesus, who is present at all times. Set a goal of 15 minutes every morning, or at
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