Just as Martha complained…
Just as Martha complained about her sister Mary, in the same way, even to this day, all actives complain about contemplatives.
–Cloud of Unknowing (Fourteenth Century)
True contemplative prayer…
Even in the act of true contemplative prayer, it is well to remember these strong words of Saint Paul’s: “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor 13:1–2). It is therefore essential that anyone who… is called to a contemplative life should take more care than anyone else that his prayer be a work of love, and that it be an authentic and living one.
–René Voillaume (1905–2003)
By vehement desire…
The grace of contemplation is granted only in response to a longing an importunate (burning) desire: Nevertheless, God will not present Himself, even in passing, to every soul; but only to that soul which is shown, by great devotion, vehement desire, and tender affection, to be His bride, and to be worthy that the Word in all His beauty should visit her as a Bridegroom.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Remain in God…
I advise you to remain simply either in God or close to God, without trying to do anything there, and without asking anything of Him, unless He urges it.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Contemplation to become prayer…
It is of paramount importance— we must repeat this— for contemplation to become prayer. The worshiper must reach out to the living God, must become aware of His holy presence, must seek out His holy countenance and enter into His heart. Contemplation should become a real dialogue in which man’s I faces its true Thou, which is God.
–Roman Guardini (1885-1968)
Our soul must be still…
If God is to speak His word to the soul, it must be still and at peace. And then He will speak His word and give Himself to the soul, and not as a mere idea, apart from Himself.
–Meister Eckhart (1260-1328
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