Someone asked me on Friday for what the reason the Benedictine Rule existed and what was the purpose of contemplative nuns?
As the person is a Catholic, I was a bit taken aback. But, I have three answers.
I said that the contemplatives were the Marines, hitting the beach first with their prayers while the active orders and laity followed behind in the mop-up.
I believe this is true, as the spiritual life of prayer attacks the unseen enemies and prayer makes the Church strong in battle.
Those soldiers who are the specially trained groups go in and deal with the first lines of the enemy.
Prayer first, action second.
I hope St. Benedict and St. Scholastica would agree with me.
But, that is not the first reason for the Rule or the existence of contemplative nuns. That would be the second reason.
First, the nuns exist to worship God.
Their presence is the presence of the woman with the alabaster jar of ointment who anointed the feet of Jesus. Judas asked "Why this waste?" He did not understand Love. Judas did not love Christ or he would have never said that.
Christ is God, and in His worship there is no waste. Love does not know the limits of excess. There are no limits in God. Did not St. Francis say, "My God never says 'Enough'".
We should have no limits in our love for God.
The third reason is this:
But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:23-25)