Moral Imagination

“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴²there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42

As I prayed with this text the question that entered my mind was, “What is moral imagination?” How do I form as a moral actor in this world? Clearly acts of charity (caritas) are a good but how do I know this? With all there is to do, how do I understand my role, vocation, priorities?

As I see Mary at the feet of Jesus and I listen to Jesus’ gentle rebuke of Martha, there is clearly a focus on simply sitting on the feet of Jesus. There is a call to be taught by Jesus, to listen to Jesus, to be in dialogue with Jesus which has a place of primacy over the work of the day, even the work of hospitality which was so honoured in the culture of the time. Mary simply sits at the feet of Jesus, as we all can in prayer. This is the seat of our formation as disciples, as servants, as leaders, as moral actors in our world.

The contemplative life of sitting at the feet of Jesus is not rather than the active life of doing, but the source and summit, the beginning, the calling and the deep well of refreshment. It must come first and it must be the priority. “Mary has chosen the better part.” It is part of the whole. I don’t think it is possible for me to authentically argue that Mary’s is the only part for this would stand in contrast to the very witness of Jesus. He prayed and acted.

There is a time for praying wherein we learn what and how to do.

Contemplation is a call to action.

Likewise, in our works-based mania, genuine faithfulness is not a matter of service alone. Our works must be informed by our reception of the teachings of Jesus. Our moral imagination must be informed by tried-tested-and-true theology which comes from sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning.

I read online yesterday that the lead actor in the movie Silence was deeply, personally impacted by having taken the Ignatian Exercises in preparation for his role as a Jesuit priest.  I would say, in the context of my reflection today, his moral imagination was informed by prayer at the feet of Jesus. His time in contemplation set deeps seeds of moral, spiritual, theological thought in his mind. He was formed through the Exercises, by learning an ancient method of prayer, meditation and contemplation.

Finally, back to context for a moment, this parable is Lukan. Luke’s meta-narrative is one of grace, mercy and reconciliation as the Kingdom of God is formed in a way that reaches out to the poor, lepers, tax collectors, sinners, outsiders, Samaritans…etc… I don’t think it would be must of a stretch to suggest that sitting at the feet of Jesus in prayer is an act of defiance against the dominant, myopic powers of the world. As such, contemplation is not only action but resistance. A resistance that has no fear for it is informed by authentic, self-giving love - the seat of moral imagination. What a blessing to sit at the feet of Jesus in anticipation of the work ahead. It is all gift.