How does meditation relate to the new forms of evangelisation and to the new shape of Christianity that is taking shape in our world today? I think it relates because we are discovering that contemplation is not just something you add on to the Christian life, to Christian discipleship, or the desire for holiness. It’s not just an add-on; it’s actually at the very heart and centre of it. This became very clear when Pope Benedict invited Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury at the time, to speak to the synod on new forms of evangelisation, which took place in Rome. And I spoke to Rowan Williams before he left, he is a patron of our community. I said, ‘What are you going to speak about?’ And he said, ‘Well, I think they think I am going to speak about ecumenism but I am not. I am going to speak about contemplation.’ And the talk he gave there – well, in my humble opinion – was the best talk of the whole synod, and not just because he mentions our community in it.
Christian Life in the Light of Christian Meditation 3: Evangelisation: by Laurence Freeman OSB
