All throughout the history of the Church, two streams of Catholicism can be observed: the "active" and the "contemplative." For those whose have only experienced the dullness of cultural Catholicism, the dynamism of movements, the Charismatic Renewal, the New Evangelization, and social justice all serve as pathways to deeper growth. I grew up in what could be called a very "active" stream of the Catholic Church. I was part of a community that placed a very high value on evangelization and it was beautiful.
In recent years though, I've felt my soul weary of the "active" life. I've struggled with burnout, deconstruction, political frustration, and loneliness. The call to go out and give of yourself can be really irritating when you don't feel you have anything to give. Ronald Rolheiser, quoting Henri Nouwen summed up my experience perfectly: "What do we do during those times when... we are 'too tired to read the Gospels, too restless to have spiritual thoughts, too depressed to find words for God, or too exhausted to do anything?'"
My experience is nothing new. While it is the reverse of the common pattern, a seeming divide between "activity" and "contemplation" or an "outward focus" and an "inward focus" has always been with us. The great spiritual writers wisely point out that the "active/contemplative divide," doesn't really exist - they are two expressions of the same interior reality. At the same time, they remain distinct in that is possible for them to fall out of balance. In this case, the inner reality that's meant to be a source and summit for them both can run dry.
Activists become tired and weary like I was and contemplatives get antsy and restless.
How then do we navigate this "divide?" How do we avoid cynicism from too much of either? I certainly don't have all of the answers but I can think of a few movements that have been helpful for me:
In recent years though, I've felt my soul weary of the "active" life. I've struggled with burnout, deconstruction, political frustration, and loneliness. The call to go out and give of yourself can be really irritating when you don't feel you have anything to give. Ronald Rolheiser, quoting Henri Nouwen summed up my experience perfectly: "What do we do during those times when... we are 'too tired to read the Gospels, too restless to have spiritual thoughts, too depressed to find words for God, or too exhausted to do anything?'"
My experience is nothing new. While it is the reverse of the common pattern, a seeming divide between "activity" and "contemplation" or an "outward focus" and an "inward focus" has always been with us. The great spiritual writers wisely point out that the "active/contemplative divide," doesn't really exist - they are two expressions of the same interior reality. At the same time, they remain distinct in that is possible for them to fall out of balance. In this case, the inner reality that's meant to be a source and summit for them both can run dry.
Activists become tired and weary like I was and contemplatives get antsy and restless.
How then do we navigate this "divide?" How do we avoid cynicism from too much of either? I certainly don't have all of the answers but I can think of a few movements that have been helpful for me:
- First, we have to remember that both the active life and the contemplative life spring from the same place - a deep interior communion with God. Both activity and contemplation can nurture this life with God. When we make communion with God our end goal and see activity and contemplation as means towards that end, we are more likely to live in a healthy balance of the two.
- Amidst the explosion of resources encouraging Catholics to take up a more active life, we must not forget to nurture and support the contemplative life as well. Creating spaces for Catholics to take retreats, receive formation in prayer, and read the works of classic spiritual writers are just important as exhortations to evangelize or participate in justice work.
- As Catholics, we should regularly be checking in with ourselves to see how our souls feel. If we feel that we are becoming stagnant and inward focussed, perhaps the Spirit is inviting us to extend His love beyond ourselves. If however we feel ourselves becoming burned out and disillusioned, maybe it's time to step back from activity for a time and nurture our communion with God.
I don't think believe that a complete solution is expressed in these three ideas but I have found that putting them into practice in my own life has helped me from slipping back into the cynicism that came from living an unbalanced life. I hope that for others, they can do the same.