A New View of Contemplative Prayer, from St. Clare of Assisi

I first knew of St. Clare of Assisi (c. 1193-1254) through one of my favorite films: Franco Zeffirelli’s Brother Son, Sister Moon (1972). I was totally smitten by Judi Bowker’s portrayal of the young noblewoman who risked all to live in poverty with St. Francis, joining him in serving Christ in the poor. Today is her feast day.

I want to share some of St. Clare’s thoughts on contemplative prayer. I’d talk about her love of poverty, but I fear it is pretty strong stuff. (Not that it wouldn’t be good for us.) Actually there are many things in her that are good and true, and that make her an excellent counter-cultural role model for Christians today.

Contemplative prayer is increasingly popular today. Personally I think that is fantastic. Protestants, in particular, have been limited in their approaches to prayer because of our pragmatic assumptions. We tend to think legitimate prayer is asking God to do stuff, and good prayer is therefore prayer that gets answers.

People are drawn to contemplative prayer for lots of reasons.

What is the appeal of contemplative prayer?

• It seems like a better response to the holiness of God — less demanding and bossy.
• It focuses more directly on building a relationship with God — which we are convinced is the nature of Christian faith.
• It can bring a richer sense of the presence of God — and that can feel like a source of healing and wholeness.

Often, though, ideas about contemplative prayer are problematic.

If you are like me, though, the way people talk about contemplative prayer doesn’t always appeal:

• It can seem too abstract and troubling — even substituting an empty mind for the revelation of God in Christ.
• It can seem too touchy-feeling — sort of a spiritualized version of pop psychology.

For Clare of Assisi contemplative prayer is vivid and passionate.

The thing to remember is the simple meaning of the term. “Contemplating” is about “looking.” You turn your gaze toward God in one sense or another. That’s contemplation.

In one of her letters to Blessed Agnes of Prague she describes looking to Christ as a “mirror” (a use of this metaphor that you’ll find in John Calvin too, by the way). She turns her gaze on Jesus, the babe in the manger. She turns to see him as King. She turns and looks at him bearing our burdens. She sees him on the cross.

Then, hand in hand with the Song of Songs, she turns to see Jesus as her beloved Bridegroom:

As you contemplate further His ineffable delights, eternal riches and honors, and sigh for them in the great desire and love of your heart, may you cry out:
Draw me after You!
We will run in the fragrance of Your perfumes,
O heavenly Spouse!
I will run and not tire,
until You bring me into the wine-cellar,
until Your left hand is under my head
and Your right hand will embrace me happily
and You will kiss me with the happiest kiss of Your mouth.

That’s right: St. Clare at prayer pictures Jesus holding her in his arms and kissing her.

This consecrated virgin of the medieval Church knows here Bible — and she takes it very seriously in prayer. The New Testament portrays Jesus as the Bridegroom, and us as his beloved bride. Clare (and a whole lot of others, actually) prays her way into this role in all its implications.

She loves Jesus. And in prayer she draws close to him, joyfully entering his embrace.

Contemplative prayer looks at God and sees him truly — joyfully receiving his love. That could enrich your prayer life too.

That’s the life you were created for.

If you want to explore classic ways of  Christian prayer in a five week online class click here.

————

 I’d love to hear from you in the comments. What has contemplative prayer been like for you? What appeals to you about it, or makes you hesitant? 

(You can see more of my posts on the saints here.)