Is Contemplative Prayer for all?
The Second Vatican Council declared in its document, Lumen Gentium, that all men are called to "union with Christ, who is the light of the world, from whom we go forth, through whom we live, and toward whom our whole life strains" [par.3].
In describing the action of the Holy Spirit, this document says, "He [the Holy Spirit] distributes special graces among the faithful of every rank. By these gifts he makes them fit and ready to undertake the various tasks and offices which contribute toward the renewal and building up of the Church" [par.41].
The document states that "all are called to sanctity", the "perfection of charity", and the "fullness of the Christian life" [par. 32, 39-42].
Since everyone is called to be perfect and to grow in love and knowledge of God, then, contemplative prayer, which embraces such knowledge and love, should be the goal of everyone.
The Second Vatican Council declared in its document, Lumen Gentium, that all men are called to "union with Christ, who is the light of the world, from whom we go forth, through whom we live, and toward whom our whole life strains" [par.3].
In describing the action of the Holy Spirit, this document says, "He [the Holy Spirit] distributes special graces among the faithful of every rank. By these gifts he makes them fit and ready to undertake the various tasks and offices which contribute toward the renewal and building up of the Church" [par.41].
The document states that "all are called to sanctity", the "perfection of charity", and the "fullness of the Christian life" [par. 32, 39-42].
Since everyone is called to be perfect and to grow in love and knowledge of God, then, contemplative prayer, which embraces such knowledge and love, should be the goal of everyone.
St. Teresa of Avila answers this: "God gives Himself in this way to those who give up all for him. He shows no partiality. He loves everyone. Nobody has any excuse, no matter how miserable they may be, since the Lord so acts with me in bringing me to such a state" [The Book of Her Life, ch. 27, 12, p. 232.].
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Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, (Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) Boston, Pauline Books & Media, 1964) par. 3. (You can also download this document from the Vatican website as well as from EWTN.)
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Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, (Dogmatic Constitution of the Church) Boston, Pauline Books & Media, 1964) par. 3. (You can also download this document from the Vatican website as well as from EWTN.)
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