CONTEMPLATION AS A DIVINE ENCOUNTER

Divine Appeal Reflection - 140

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 140: "Do not fear to put yourself in the high spirit of contemplation."

The high spirit of contemplation  is a heavenly nudge inviting us to transcend our everyday distractions and concerns, and to enter into a more profound, intimate union with God. In Catholic tradition, contemplation means silent or loving attention to God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) describes it as a "gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus" and a "gift of prayer" (CCC 2715). This form of worship is beyond words and thought, it dips the soul into the wonders of God’s never-ending love. Saint Teresa of Avila, the revered Doctor of the Church and teacher on contemplative prayer, described contemplation as an act of love that is very simple but has a significant depth within it — the highest degree of union between God and the soul. In the midst of this, our spirit enter into communion with our Adorable Jesus, ours becomes a taste of Heaven as we surrender everything to His will.

Jesus' words, "Do not fear," address the natural hesitations we experience. We may think of contemplation as something reserved for mystics or saints, feeling unworthy or incapable of such a deep spiritual encounter. Yet, Christ calls every soul to this intimate union. Our Adorable Jesus thirsts for our love and desires to speak to our hearts in the silence, where distractions disappear, and only His presence remains. Contemplation is not something we attain through human effort alone; it is a grace given by God. We must open our hearts and trust that our Adorable Jesus will gently lead us into this profound embrace of divine love, reminding us not to fear but to trust Him.

To embrace contemplation, we can take practical steps to prepare our hearts. Creating a sacred space in our homes dedicated to prayer, perhaps with a crucifix, an image of our Adorable Jesus, and a Bible, provides a sanctuary for stillness. Sacred Scripture is a potent starting point for reflection as well. Reading a few verses slowly and letting them stay in our hearts can help us become more open to hearing from God.  We are invited to let our eyes behold our Adorable Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament in faith and with devout affection, as our souls find solace and peace in the protection and warmth of His tender love. The rhythm of the Prayer—“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”—becomes a sacred heartbeat that calms our spirits, deepens our meditation, and unites our souls with our Adorable Jesus.

It is also vital to trust in God’s perfect timing. His grace works in ways often hidden from our understanding, transforming us according to His will. Let us remain patient and surrender to His divine plan, confident that He is molding us into the image of His love.

The fruits of contemplation are numerous. As we develop this type of prayer, our souls become more sensitive to what God wants. Our lives become more vividly filled with His presence, and we grow in our love for Him, which permeates our interactions with other people. Contemplation nourishes our faith, fortifies our hope, and inflames our charity. Saint John of the Cross eloquently described the effect of contemplative prayer: “The Father spoke one Word, which was His Son, and this Word He speaks always in eternal silence, and in silence, it must be heard by the soul.” Through contemplation, we encounter our Adorable Jesus, the Eternal Word, and our hearts learn to listen to the silent language of God’s love.

Jesus’ invitation to contemplation is a call to abandon fear and embrace His immense love. It is a journey of trust, humility, and surrender, allowing our souls to be transformed by His grace. Let us respond with hearts full of faith, yearning to dwell in the presence of our Adorable Jesus. May we not be afraid but be eager to enter into the sacred silence, where His love surrounds us and draws us ever closer to the heart of God.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, with deep reverence and humble devotion, draw us into the silence of contemplation, where Your divine presence fills our souls. Grant us the grace to rest in Your embrace, trust in Your mercy, and live always united with You. Amen.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.