How would you rate the state of your community life these days? What about your practice of contemplation, i.e., time for thoughtful reflection? If you are like many people, you are rating both of these lower than you would like.
In the life of the church, often the practices of contemplation and community are seen to be in tension. Those who want to reflect on God’s presence often seek solitude and time away in quiet, while those wanting community seek gatherings and activity. Many people whose lives will not allow for solitude assume that contemplation is not for them. And those more interested in contemplation steer away from community gatherings that don’t seem like places to sit with Jesus.
Yet, as we hear in the stories of Clare of Assisi, from scripture, and from others, community and contemplation go hand in hand and enrich one another.
We encourage you to take time this summer for contemplation in community. Invite friends, family, and colleagues to join you along the Franciscan Way. Encourage one another as you share about your experience of walking with Jesus in listening to the audio guides, maybe over an Italian meal. You could even find times to walk and listen together.
Learn more and Register: https://gfm.intervarsity.org/divina-franciscan-way-faculty-ministry.
About the author:
Jamie serves with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries as an Associate Director of Faculty Ministry and serves as Director of Faculty Pilgrimage for InterVarsity’s Faculty Ministries enjoying the opportunity to put into practice her doctoral research in literary pilgrimage and her training in spiritual direction. She coordinates online and in-person pilgrimages. She also ministers with the local faculty community at the University of Cincinnati.