Passion vs. Intensity

It is so important for me to have a trained and wise spiritual director. I am blessed to have such a director. “You are a passionate person,” she said, “you are also intense.”

I liked the first part of that statement, but I didn’t like the second part.

“ If you want to be a good bishop, lose the intense part. The passion (for the gospel/the vision statement of the diocese) will still be there. Losing the intensity will not change your passion.” she added. Words of wisdom from a trained director.

Her words sunk into my heart. Passion and intensity are not the same thing. Losing the intensity and claiming the passion in my life became the focus of my prayer time.

I entered into Matthew’s Gospel using the daily lectionary gospel reading with this “grace” in mind, “Help me to discern the difference between passion and intensity in my life using Jesus as my example.” Bingo! There he was in front of me each morning, my Rabbi, just waiting to teach me as he called and taught his disciples. I entered into the life and teachings of Matthew’s Jesus to discover his passion without intensity. I walked with him by the Sea of Galilee and heard him call to Simon and Andrew, “Follow me.” I saw the crowds as he went up on the mountain and sat with his disciples. I saw him open his mouth to teach them, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, ....” I listened as he taught them how to behave when persecuted; told them why he was among them; called them to respond to violence and anger with nonviolence and love; taught them to rid themselves of those things which got in the way of their relationship with God; and encouraged them to give alms, pray, and fast in a way that makes God, rather than public recognition, the focus. He did it all with a passion born out of what he believed. There was nothing in his life and teaching, nothing about him, that needed to make it happen. He lived a holy life with passion, and he taught with passion. His passion was enough.

God spoke to me through the One I profess to follow, “Your passion is enough!” I discovered that I become “intense” when I move into the mode of needing to make something happen. I must remember that Jesus lived the kingdom life, Jesus taught the kingdom life, but he did not try and make anyone do anything. He respected their freedom to choose. His ability to do this out of the passion of his beliefs was so attractive to others that he is still able to invite others, who gladly choose to follow. No “intensity” there. No need to force it. No need to make things happen. His passion is enough.

My passion is enough. Your passion is enough. My spiritual director was right. Passion, born of belief, is contagious, but the need to make others see things my way gets in the way of the infectious passion.
Rabbi Jesus has something to teach all of us.

Passion is respectful, intensity is not. Passion trusts God, intensity does not. Passion is born of belief. Intensity is born of the need to control. Passion or intensity?

May God grant us all passion without intensity. What peace it would bring.