Christians Must Balance Prayer, Action, Pope Says at Audience

Christians must strike a fruitful balance in their lives by including both prayer and action, Pope Benedict XVI said.

People of faith can "run the risk of reducing themselves to being one-dimensional" either by retreating from the world to dedicate themselves to God and prayer or by totally immersing themselves in the world to help others, the pope said during his June 18 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Instead, believers must look for "a middle ground" by imitating Christ, whose life was dedicated to contemplation and action, he said.

The pope's remarks were part of his catechesis in which he highlighted the life and teachings of St. Isidore of Seville, a prolific writer and bishop who lived in the sixth and seventh centuries.

The pope said the Spanish saint was always torn between his love of study and prayer and his responsibilities as bishop, especially in helping the poor and needy.

He said the saint realized people of God do not wish to dedicate themselves to "secular things" and usually lament "when, by God's mysterious design, they are burdened with certain responsibilities."

While the temptation is to avoid taking on such worldly affairs, people who wish to be holy must try to understand what it is God has in mind for them, Pope Benedict said.

"When they realize they must surrender to God's plan," their hearts are filled with humility as they seek to act according to "divine decision," he said.

The pope said St. Isidore taught that people must first "train in the stadium of active life" to shed the residues of sin and purify their hearts, which is the only way to see God during prayerful contemplation.

Therefore, the saint said, by "imitating Christ one dedicates oneself to contemplation without denying oneself an active life" helping others.

People must show love for others through charitable action to the same degree as they must show love for God through prayer, the saint taught.

The pope said today's Christians are called to pay witness to St. Isidore's teachings by making their lives a fruitful synthesis of prayerful dialogue with God and reflection on sacred Scripture and by helping others.