What is the contemplative life? It springs from the awakened vision, the epiphany, that God is always everywhere present and that this Presence is active, that is, always reaching out to us. Jesus’ parting words in Matthew’s Gospel, “Remember I am with you always,” and his promise in John’s Gospel, “You will know that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you,” are among the many passages that reveal the contemplative dimension of the Gospel.
Remember I am with you always. -Jesus
How is the contemplative life lived? Primarily by learning to be silent and to rest in Christ’s presence within. At the heart of the contemplative vision is the insight that we needn’t go anywhere or do anything or become anything other than who we are to be present to God, who is already present to us. More present than we are to ourselves. So the contemplative life is actually quite simple and accessible to everyone. It is simply the intention to pause, to be still, and, by faith, to rest in Christ’s presence within.
At Saint Barnabas, we offer a variety of ways to intentionally engage in practices that can be helpful to your spiritual depth and growth. Some of these are done individually, some in community, and some share in a bit of both.
