In the gospel of John we read: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me; whoever believes in me, let him drink. Streams of living water shall flow out from within (7:37-38).
Scripture makes it clear that living spirituality bears fruit, and not for us alone. If we are serious about our life of the spirit, if we attend to the Divine within, if we strive for the union between soul and body, we cannot help but spill out that love and life to others around us.
Such concepts dominated the early monastic life, the belief that the best thing you can do for the world was to change and transform yourself. That all goodness and conversion start in one's own heart. Such concepts gave great regard for a life of prayer, believing it the most powerful and fruitful force for the whole world.
Today, such concepts have fallen by the wayside. Activity has taken over prayer, and we do feel if we aren't doing something tangible, we are doing nothing. As believers, it's hard to reconcile such belief with our own conviction that grace is lived out in transformation. Doing in not the whole of the spiritual life. It starts with being.
Every one of us can live in the spirit of the monastics. Every one of us has access to meditation, reflection, Lectio Divina and contemplation. Never underestimate the good you can do by living your life of prayer and meditation. Believe in the power of prayer, the power of transformation, and you will come to realize that living waters do flow from you into the world around you, enlightening, refreshing and encouraging.
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