Contemplation at the centre of the earth

Contemplation is a state of great intimacy of the soul and union with God, allowing us to somehow see God during our pilgrimae, before being plunged into the Trinity's fountain of love for all eternity in Heaven. This is not incompatible with having a very active life. Being contemplative does not mean withdrawing yourself to a monastery. "We become contemplatives in the middle of the world" claimed St. Josemaría.  

Our life consists in working and praying, and vice versa. The time comes when will not be able to differentiate these two notions and words anymore, contemplation and action, which will have the same significance in our minds and consciences" (Translated from: letter, 9th of January 1932). 

Without work, without fulfilling our personal duties, there can't be a contemplative life for any Christian leading a life of prayer

Without a contemplative life, there would be wanting to work for for Christ would not mean much: it would be similar to wanting to sew without a thread. 

Praying

Praying has and will always be the only weapon to become a saint and help men become one themselves. Josemaría Escrivá said: "The ordinary life of a Christian who has faith, when he works or rests, when he prays or sleeps, at all times, is a life in which God is always present" (3 March 1954). "We acquire the style of contemplative souls, in the midst of our daily work!" Because we become certain that God is watching us as He asks us to for new small victories in our tasks: "a little sacrifice here, a smile there for someone who bothers us, beginning the least pleasant but most urgent job first, carefulness in little details of order, perseverance in the fulfilment of our duty when it would be so easy to abandon it, not leaving for tomorrow what should be finished today: and all this, to please him, Our Father God! "

Let's pray with saint Josemaría Escrivá

 (in The Forge, ch. 1, 5)

Lord, we are glad to find ourselves in your wounded palm. Grasp us tight, squeeze us hard, make us lose all our earthly wretchedness, purify us, set us on fire, make us feel drenched in your Blood.

—And then, cast us far, far away, hungry for the harvest, to sow the seed more fruitfully each day, for Love of you.