By Br. Günter Benker, O.Carm.

If contemplation is truly the heart of our charism, we are first of all called to undergo this process of transformation. Our false images of God and correspondingly our false self, which feels in many various ways insufficient, inferior, guilty and separated from God, has to be put to death. Only thus can the true God of love take over in our lives and correspondingly bring about the emergence of our true self, our true identity of children of God, loved always and forever. We can enter this process at any time and at any place. We only have to create appropriate condi­tions: sufficient time for regular prayer, meditation, lectio divina, spiritual reading, spiritual di­rection, psychological-spiritual programmes etc. If we are overburdened with work or other oc­cupations of whatever kind we will be very unlikely open and receptive enough to concentrate on the “only one thing needed” (Lk 10:42), that is to go through this transformation process in order to live out fully our true identity. To say it very clearly: there is no choice - unless we as Carme­lites do not see contemplation as the primary mission that God has entrusted to us, all our other efforts will be meaningless in the end, how heroic they may be (cf. 1Cor 13). On the other hand, if we really try to open ourselves for this process of transformation in all aspects and dimensions of our life, then it does not matter at all where we live and what kind of work we do. The only decisive criterion with regard to bearing fruit for the kingdom is according to John to “remain in his love”. Only then do we become able to really love others - the only “fruit that will last” (cf. Jn 15:1-17).

As formators we have a special responsibility to get right our priorities as Carmelites - for the sake of ourselves and for those who are entrusted to us in formation. We must be willing to enter and endure this process of contemplation and transformation and to prepare and accompany our candidates for it. I don’t want to be presumptuous, but may be as formators we have even the task to find appropriate ways of reminding our communities and provinces of our real vocation because through our formation work we are in some way privileged to deal more profoundly with these matters.

Carmelite spirituality and mysticism touches and explores the very heart of our Christian faith: God who is love, pure and undivided love. In him there is no division, only unity, and he wants to share this unity with all creation. We are called to witness to this unity which is already a real­ity for those who have eyes to see. Contemplation will open our eyes for the presence of God’s kingdom in us and in our world so that our false self with its split and judgmental mind-set will be transformed into our true self which fully accepts to be the beloved child of the true God of infinite love. Let us not hesitate to enter this process, and let us not be discouraged by the many-fold and subtle defence mechanisms of our false self and its idols. God has already won the battle for us; we only need to accept his saving action in us: