There is a story that has been around for a long time about the spiritual or religious life. Contemplation, prayer, or activity—What comes first? Those who argue that contemplation comes first base their arguments on Jesus' words to Martha and Mary. "Martha, Martha! You worry about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary chose the better portion" (Luke 10:42). On the other hand, those who insist that action comes first, are based on: "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17).
Traditionally, it seems that the argument is that contemplation, that is, prayer comes first, has a relative advantage over activity. And this led to the idea that contemplative monasticism is better than active religious life. In addition, the life of religious and clergy is a higher calling than that of lay people. However, the Second Vatican Council made it clear: "Every Christian, in whatever state of life or position they are called, is called by the Lord in 'everyone's own way' to reach 'full holiness', just as God the Father is perfect" (LG 11).
Despite these Council teachings, many lay people still place the priestly or religious life above the lay life. Certainly, a layperson with all kinds of worries about their daily life would at times yearn for the life of a religious. This is even when they want to spend time alone in prayer. In this reality, they wonder how they can lead a spiritual life in which prayer, work, contemplation, and activity are harmonized?
Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Annecy, who died 400 years ago, offers an excellent prescription for this. The saint explains: "Contemplation itself is better than action or life in action. But better still if you find a deeper union (with God) in a life of action." Do not separate contemplation and activity, but seek unity with God while offering the activity itself to God
These words of a saint are in line with those of American human rights activist Reverend Martin Luther King (1929-1968). It means putting your soul into your work. If you are a street sweeper… Clean the streets like Michelangelo painted… Clean the streets like Shakespeare wrote his poems. Sweep the streets to such an extent that the myriads of heaven and earth are forced to stop and say, 'Here lived an excellent street sweeper who did his job well'.
Saint Francis de Sales further explained false piety in this way: "Some who are devoted to fasting… think themselves faithful because they do not eat. While some would not let even a drop of alcohol or water wet their tongues, and yet have no difficulty with gossip and slander. Others will consider themselves sincere because they recite prayers all day long, not paying attention to their evil, proud, hurtful words. Another is willing to open their wallet to give alms to the poor, but cannot find the meekness to forgive their enemies. All these good people are generally considered faithful, but they are not.
On Dec. 28, Pope Francis issued his Apostolic Letter, "Everything Belongs to Love," to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Saint Francis de Sales' death. The full text of this letter was translated into Korean and posted on the Bishops' Conference homepage on June 14th. It is about 10 pages long, but it is a document full of nourishment for this age's spiritual life. He recommends all believers read it thoroughly.
