The first stage of the active life is made up of genuine good works of mercy and love, done physically. In the second stage, a person begins meditating in a good way on the deep truths of our sinfulness, Christ’s Passion, and heaven’s joy. The first stage is good, but the second stage is better because it is both the second part of the first life (the active) and the first part of the second life (the contemplative). These two stages overlap.
