"Accordingly we must reply that the contemplative life is simply more excellent than the active. The first reason is, because the contemplative life becomes man according to that which is best in him, namely the intellect, and according to its proper objects, namely things intelligible; whereas the active life is occupied with externals.

"The second reason is because the contemplative life can be more continuous, although not as regards the highest degree of contemplation, as stated above (180, 8, ad 2;181, 4, ad 3), wherefore Mary, by whom the contemplative life is signified, is described as "sitting" all the time "at the Lord's feet."

"Thirdly, because the contemplative life is more delightful than the active; wherefore Augustine says (De Verb. Dom. Serm. ciii) that "Martha was troubled, but Mary feasted."

"Fourthly, because in the contemplative life man is more self-sufficient, since he needs fewer things for that purpose; wherefore it was said (Lk. 10:41): "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and art troubled about many things."

"Fifthly, because the contemplative life is loved more for its own sake, while the active life is directed to something else. Hence it is written (Ps. 36:4): "One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may see the delight of the Lord."

"Sixthly, because the contemplative life consists in leisure and rest, according to Ps. 45:11, "Be still and see that I am God."

"Seventhly, because the contemplative life is according to Divine things, whereas active life is according to human things; wherefore Augustine says (De Verb. Dom. Serm. civ): "'In the beginning was the Word': to Him was Mary hearkening: 'The Word was made flesh': Him was Martha serving."

"Eighthly, because the contemplative life is according to that which is most proper to man, namely his intellect; whereas in the works of the active life the lower powers also, which are common to us and brutes, have their part; wherefore (Ps. 35:7) after the words, "Men and beasts Thou wilt preserve, O Lord," that which is special to man is added (Ps. 35:10): "In Thy light we shall see light."

Our Lord adds a ninth reason (Lk. 10:42) when He says: "Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her," which words Augustine (De Verb. Dom. Serm. ciii) expounds thus: "Not--Thou hast chosen badly but--She has chosen better. Why better? Listen--because it shall not be taken away from her. But the burden of necessity shall at length be taken from thee: whereas the sweetness of truth is eternal."

"Yet in a restricted sense and in a particular case one should prefer the active life on account of the needs of the present life.

"Not only the active life concerns prelates, they should also excel in the contemplative life; hence Gregory says (Pastor. ii, 1): "A prelate should be foremost in action, more uplifted than others in contemplation."

"The soul of man must needs be more free while it continues to gaze on the Divine mind, and less so when it stoops to bodily things." Wherefore it is evident that the active life does not directly command the contemplative life, but prescribes certain works of the active life as dispositions to the contemplative life; which it accordingly serves rather than commands. Gregory refers to this when he says (Hom. iii in Ezech.) that "the active life is bondage, whereas the contemplative life is freedom." (St Thomas Aquinas, II-II,Article I, Question 182, Summan Theologica)

Each soul is created for eternal bliss through the knowledge and love coming from union with God's Spirit. And as one participates in that Supernatural Life, as, for example, through Contemplative Prayer, one takes on the characteristics of that Supernatural Spirit as part of the transformation process, which changes one from the Old Man to the New Man. And God has visibly revealed the quality and characteristics of His Spirit through the Life of Jesus Christ. And our Contemplation gives birth to nothing else but a New Life in which we reflect the Self-Giving Love of Jesus Christ to the world.

Now, not-withstanding the goodness found in much of life, many of us live in a secular world in which God is very much dead. Violence and sex are daily fare fed to us by the TV. It's in great part a Darwinian world characterized by such phrases as "survival of the fittest," or "It's a jungle out there!" It is also referred to as a "competitive rat-race," or a "dog-eat-dog" world. It would be cliche to say that it's spirit is not in harmony with Christian, Self-Giving Love. The daily newspapers seem to confirm the sad reality of a world suffering from the effects of Original Sin, Pride, and "Man's inhumanity to man." And the frequent bouts of stress suffered by mankind living in such a world, manifest themselves in depression, sucide, addiction, and various forms of escapism.

The point to be made is that one living in such a milieu has an uphill battle in fulfilling his vocation to Love God and neighbor. One is easily led astray by those with an "activist" disposition, and by books that say that secular responsibilities, or family life, or doing good in the world constitute "loving one's neighbor," which, after all, is the true guide as to whether or not we're loving God, and which is, therefore, the whole of the spiritual life, and takes the place of special time set-aside for God. This is not true and is a major fallacy which has led many astray. One must spend time every day building one's relationship with God so that His Spirit may be part of all one's activities. Otherwise, one ends up engaging in activities in which God has no part. The enemies of such Love are all around in the form of temptation from "the World, the Flesh, and the Devil."

For those who choose a single or married life in the world are on the front lines of the battle, deep in enemy territory. It's not enough to engage such a secular battle by going to Chruch once a week, loving your spouse, and spending quality time with your children. More than this, one must draw spiritual strength from a strong relationship with Jesus Christ found through a life of prayer. For this is the primary relationship for which we were created, and which is strengthened by the grace coming from love of spouse and love of neighbor. We were not created for our neighbor, our spouse, our children, or anyone else. Our love for them only has lasting value when it is supernatural, the fruit of our love for God, in Jesus Christ. We must, therefore, always give God priority in our life, and make time available to build a solid relationship with Him, no matter what might be our exterior vocation in the world!

Our first allegiance must always be to Jesus Christ, no matter what demands the world tries to make on us. We are never at liberty to commit sin, no matter how many people turn their backs and walk away from us. We're in a spiritual battle, and the principalities and powers out to destroy us are real. This is no pious cliche. Look around you at those who have been lost along the way because they didn't make their spiritual life a priority. No one can serve two masters. You can't serve God and Mammon. Therefore, as Christ told us in Matthew 33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the rest shall be added unto you." We must bring our activities in line with our spiritual life, not the other way around!

Remember, as Christ has forewarned us, a man's enemies may be those of his own household. If you are going to get serious about loving God, then you better get serious about standing up for His importance in your life, whether you're single, married, a nun, or a hermit. When it comes to decision-time, don't look for advice from those who preach compromise, and recommend the easy answer based on the need to serve God and Mammon. Look at the Truth taught by God through the Church, listen to advice based on that Truth, and then look within yourself for the courage to follow your convictions. No man who has trusted in God, and has been faithful to His Will, has ever suffered ultimate disappointment. There may be disappointments, apparent failures, and setbacks along the way, but in the end..."Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint... For the good man does not escape all troubles - he has them, too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one."

So the overarching vocation for all of us is to love God through Jesus Christ. And, other things being equal, it is, of course, if one is called to it, easier to organize one's life in a manner conducive to this Special Love in a religious or priestly vocation:

"Yes, blessed is she who, childless and undefiled, knew not transgression of the marriage bed; she shall bear fruit at the visitation of souls. So also the eunuch whose hand wrought no misdeed, who held no wicked thoughts against the Lord- For he shall be given fidelity's choice reward and a more gratifying heritage in the Lord's temple. For the fruit of noble struggles is a glorious one. (Wisdom 3:14)

"Better is childlessness with virtue; for immortal is its memory: because both by God is it acknowledged, and by men. When it is present men imitate it, and they long for it when it is gone; And forever it marches crowned in triumph, victorious in unsullied deeds of valor. (Wisdom 4:1)

So the Bible makes it clear, that other things being equal, the celibate state is especially honored by God, and is clearly superior "as a state," to the non-celibate state. However, today's Church clearly needs, and is calling those in the "lay vocation", as well as religious, to sanctity and perfection. And in order to do that in today's world, we must be willing to swim against the current. We must be willing, if necessary, to stand alone against the peer pressure from relatives, friends, and acquaintances, caught up in "the spirit of the world." And through "practice of the presence of Jesus," as in the "Jesus Prayer," we must stay ever in His company, our Good Companion, Jesus Christ. And, as He promised, He and the Father will come to dwell with us, Sharing the Love of the Holy Spirit, in prayer. And when He decides the time is right, He will make His presence "real" to us, as we experience His Supernatural activity through the gifts of the Holy Spirit in "contemplative Prayer." And then we shall find that He is fighting in front of us, He is behind us, He is there on all sides, fighting for us. And all that He asks is our trust and cooperation, that together, we may carry His Holy Cross that overcomes the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, and which becomes everlasting life.

End

The Papal Answer
by Andrew Richards

The vain young man, the Pope's ring he did kiss, as he asked 'bout a churchly vocation,
"Although God I love much," to the Pontiff he said, "my I.Q. is exceedingly high,"
"A Dominican priest should I be, or should Jesuit be my station?"
The Holy Father did smile, he pondered a while, then finally said with a sigh:

"Some they say that brains and the faith have an inverse correlation,"
"Our Faith arose from simple folk; its Gift from their prayers was the fruit,"
"For by foolish ones the wise of the world are humbled in each nation,"
"How else could we get Dominican priests and the Jesuits we recruit?"

The young man got up from the Pope to take leave, his face now all red like a cherry,
He wasn't sure why, but embarrased he felt, it must have been something he said,
He looked at the Pope, and the Pope winked his eye, smiling and no longer scary,
He smiled in return, and joy filled his heart, his embarrasment totally fled.