Quod uita contemplatiua dignior et magis meritoria est quam actiua, et de utrisque, et de predicacione et prelaciis

Quod uita contemplatiua dignior et magis meritoria est quam actiua, et de utrisque, et de predicacione et prelaciis

Some people wonder which life is more worthy and noble: the contemplative life or the active life. Some people think that an active life is more meritorious because it involves more works and preaching. But these people are mistaken, not knowing that the strength of the contemplative life is beyond their understanding. Yet there are many active people who are better than some contemplatives. But the best contemplatives are superior to the best active people. Therefore, we say that the contemplative life is simply sweeter, nobler, and more worthy, especially regarding the essential reward, which is joy in the uncreated good. Because one loves God more ardently, and greater grace is required if one does not intend to rejoice in Jesus as they should, therefore, the active life is rightly postponed, while the contemplative life is preferred both now and in the future. Therefore, in the true table of Solomon, the pillars are silver, and the reclining place is golden. The pillars of the true Solomon's throne are strong supporters and good leaders of the Church. These are silver, because they are clear in conversation and sound in preaching. The golden recliner is for those who contemplate, in whom Christ especially rests His head, existing in perfect peace. For they too find their rest in Him alone. These are golden, because they are purer and more precious in the honesty of living, and they are more radiant in the fervor of loving and contemplating. Moreover, God predestines His chosen ones for various ministries to fulfill. For it's not given to each individual to carry out all duties, but each one has what is more suitable for their own state. Therefore, the Apostle says: "To each of us grace has been given according to the measure of Christ's gift." Some people give alms from what they have acquired justly. Some defend the truth even to the point of death. Some proclaim the word of God clearly and boldly, and they reveal to others what needs to be proclaimed in their own scriptures. Some endure great penance and suffering in this life for God. Some dedicate themselves to God through the gift of contemplation, and they completely commit themselves to loving Christ. But without a doubt, among all the states within the Church, those who have become contemplatives in divine love rejoice in a special way, for they have earned the privilege to sing with joy. If anyone could acquire both kinds of life, namely the contemplative and the active, and retain and fulfill them both, that person would be great, so that they might carry out the physical ministry while also sensing within themselves the sounds of heaven, and in the joy of eternal love, they would melt away in song. I don't know if anyone ever had this: it seems impossible to me that both could happen at the same time. However, Christ is not to be counted among men in this regard, nor is His blessed Mother to be counted among women. For Christ did not have fleeting thoughts, nor did He contemplate in the common way that the saints do in this life. For He did not consider it beneath Him to work as we do, because from the very beginning of His conception, He saw God. Indeed, a joyful song comes to us from the great works of the Spirit, and we have received the sweetest sound from heaven; and from now on, we long to remain in peace, so that we may rejoice in the constant sweetness. Therefore, whoever nobly manages an active life will strive to ascend to a contemplative life. However, if someone is elevated by the gift of divine contemplation in the manner just mentioned, let them not descend to an active life unless they are compelled to take on the governance of Christians, which I believe rarely, if ever, happens. Some contemplatives can be chosen for this role because they are less imbued with the fervor of love. Indeed, lesser saints are sometimes more suited for the office of preaching than greater ones, because those who have not been able to rest perfectly in their inner desires will behave more appropriately regarding external matters.