By Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu
Today’s common buzzwords: “I-person” [Introvert] and “E-person” [Extrovert] remind us that everyone has a different rhythm and inner orientation. Some draw strength from silence; others are energised by crowds. For Christians, this distinction is more than a personality label. It invites us to ask: how do I encounter the Lord more deeply within my own way of being?
In the Bible, God reveals himself both in silence and in community. The prophet Elijah heard the Lord in a “gentle breeze” [1 Kings 19:12], and Jesus often withdrew to deserted places to pray [Luke 5:16]. This tendency towards inwardness echoes the experience of today’s “I-people”: in solitude and quiet, it is easier to listen to the heart and sense God’s presence. When we let go of external clamour and enter the depths of our souls, we are better able to worship “in spirit and in truth” [John 4:24].
For those with such tendencies, silence is not an escape but a space for communion with the Lord. Daily meditation on the Word, Eucharistic Adoration, and contemplative prayer all nourish the soul. As Psalm 42 says: “My soul thirsts for God.” This longing often becomes clearer in solitude. When the heart is healed and renewed, faith moves beyond mere formality to become a genuine, intimate relationship.
However, faith does not end with individual experience. The essence of God’s love is outreach and sharing. Jesus called his disciples not only to be with him but also to “go and make disciples of all nations” [Matthew 28:19]. This mission resonates with “E-people”: faith comes alive through reaching out, building relationships, and sharing life with others.
Within community, we can transform the gospel from mere words into a living witness. By engaging in dialogue, caring for the poor, or serving in the parish, we tangibly bring the Good News into others’ lives. The Acts of the Apostles records that the early Church shared everything: “All who believed were together and had all things in common” [Acts 2:44]. This power of connection ensures the gospel is not just a philosophy, but a way of life.
For extroverted believers, interacting with others can itself become a way of encountering the Lord. When we see the needs of others, we are responding to Christ: “I was hungry and you gave me food” [Matthew 25:35]. In sharing faith and journeying together, we not only spread the gospel but are transformed ourselves.
Thus, the difference between an “I-person” and an “E-person” is not about superiority, but about two paths to God. We need to take root in silence and bear fruit in community. If we only retreat, we risk becoming insular; if we only focus on outreach, we may lose our inner wellspring. Just as Jesus prayed on the mountain and also walked among the crowds, we are called to balance both.
Whether you are more “I” or “E,” God meets you as you are and invites you deeper: to love him in silence and witness to him among others.
Ultimately, true strength lies not in personality, but in letting Christ be the centre of our lives. When He becomes our rest and our driving force. When he becomes our rest and our driving force, we will find the Lord our soul loves in all things—whether in solitude or in the company of others.
