Spirit of Contemplation

Jesus went about with his eyes open to what happened around him. One day he was in the Temple and saw a situation that escaped nearly everyone – or, at least, its significance. He saw the rich putting their money contribution into the “basket”. He then saw an old, very poor widow put in a few coins. He knew the situation of these women – there were so many around, particularly in his own town. It hit him: this old lady had put in more than the rich for she gave from what she truly needed to survive, not from an excess that could be used for anything.

Besides making us aware of what real generosity and self-giving are, this incident and comments of Jesus makes us realize that we also should move about during the day with our eyes open to what God has to say and teach us. With our eyes and ears open, in a spirit of contemplation, we become open to what daily life and reality has to reveal to us about God and our life in the Spirit. Seen from God’s perspective reality can be perceived in a totally different way. What seems insignificant acquires tremendous depth. And vice-versa, certain things that seem important can be seen for what they are: empty of meaning, hypocritical, maybe even malicious.

This attitude and spirit of contemplation are a fruit of the life in the Spirit of Christ. We need to develop and mature in this capacity to “see”, “understand” in order to act rightly.