"Do you think the way to sanctity is to lock youself up with your prayers and your books and the meditations that please and interest your mind, to protect yourself with many walls, against people you consider stupid? Do you think the way to contemplation is found in the refusal of activities and works which are necessary for the good of others but which happen to bore and distract you? Do you imagine that you will discover God by winding yourself up in a cocoon of spiritual and aestetic pleasures, instead of renouncing all your tastes and desires and ambitions and satisfactions for the love of Christ, Who will not even live within you if you cannot find Him in other men?"
Thomas Merton (New Seeds of Contemplation)
This really struck a chord with me today. There is so much emphasis of finding and focusing on your strengths and preferences within the consumer church world that you rarely are allowed the opportunities to find God in the things you don't enjoy. Sometimes I think I need to do things I don't want to do for no other reason than for the good of people. And more so to spend time with people that I would rather not and then take a step beyond that and see Christ in those people! What a challenge! Thanks Tommy.
2 comments:
whats interesting is that when I read it, I wasn't thinking that he is suggesting that we spend time doing those things that we dislike, but rather that we get ourselves out of a book and personal search for divine deep spirituality, and begin to live it with people, and that is how we will learn the importance and the vitalness of these things.
Interesting how we took that differently, I am right though...
actually in the context of monastacism which is what he is talking about, you're quite incorrect Nick. Sorry but you are wrong. Study up on Merton a little bit before you come around here spouting your mouth off.
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