In a letter to a Papal Volunteer who was on his way to Brazil, Merton offered some advice concerning being an American in another country and culture. All too often Americans step into another culture and arrogantly think that they know what’s best for the people. In my own denomination’s history the name change from missionary to mission coworkers, symbolised a partnership which respects the other culture rather than thinking that we know what’s best.
Take your time, get to know what is what, and above all, for heaven’s sake, adjust that American image. We of the U.S. have unfortunately placed too much trust in our mass media and we have the most fabulously unreal image of ourselves. We are living in illusion. — Seeds of Destruction, p. 238
Perhaps this is a lesson that we need to learn once more as the current administration continues its path of destruction on the national and international stage.
The news of displaced persons, of people fleeing, killed, wounded, of so many soldiers fallen on both sides, is news of death. Let us ask the Lord of life to deliver us from this death of war. With war everything is lost, everything. There is no victory in a war; everything is defeated. May the Lord send his Spirit to make us understand that war is a defeat of humanity, to make us understand that instead we need to defeat war. May the Spirit of the Lord free us all from this self-destructive need that is manifested in waging war. Let us also pray that leaders may understand that buying and making weapons is not the solution to the problem. The solution is to work together for peace and, as the Bible says, to turn weapons into instruments for peace. — Against War: Building A Culture of Peace (p. 12)
Verse of the day
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.
– 1 John 4:18
Voice of the day
may the tide / that is entering even now / the lip of our understanding / carry you out / beyond the face of fear
– Lucille Clifton, “blessing the boats”
Prayer of the day
Almighty God, place our fears into an ocean of love and mercy. Nudge us closer to the water so we can gaze at the depths that sustain unity.
Verse of the day
Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.
– Job 8:7
Voice of the day
Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.
– Vincent Van Gogh
Prayer of the day
Lord, may we appreciate the beauty of smallness. Allow us to recognize that incremental phases are not insignificant, but ultimately impactful.
Verse of the day
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
– Romans 14:19
Voice of the day
We say no to the peace that keeps us on our knees, no to the peace that keeps us in chains, no to the false peace that denies the values and contributions of our peoples.
– Rigoberta Menchú Tum
Prayer of the day
Aid us in supporting each other’s fights against oppression so that we can reach an unwavering peace.
The mystery of the incarnation reveals to us the spiritual dimension of human solidarity. Because all humanity has been taken up into God through the incarnation of the word, finding the heart of God means finding all the people of God. Therefore, a Christ in whom all people are not gathered together is not the true Christ. We who belong to Christ belong to all of humanity. — Lifesigns: Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy in Christian Perspective
Verse of the day
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
– John 13:34-35
Voice of the day
If the goal was to increase the love, rather than winning or dominating a constant opponent, I think we could actually imagine liberation from constant oppression. We would suddenly be seeing everything we do, everyone we meet, not through the tactical eyes of war, but through eyes of love. We would see that there’s no such thing as a blank canvas, an empty land or a new idea – but everywhere there is complex, ancient, fertile ground full of potential.
– adrienne maree brown
Prayer of the day
God who is love, widen our own capacity to love so that our actions are an echo that reflect you.
Verse of the day
I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God.
– Jonah 2:6
Voice of the day
I fall so miserably into the chasm of disbelief. Then the Spirit lifts me up again, and once more I am secured in faith. I don’t know how it happens, save that when I cry out earnestly I am answered immediately and am returned to faithfulness. I am once again filled with Spirit and firmly planted on solid ground.
– Maya Angelou, “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now” (1993)
Prayer of the day
God, throughout periods of dejection or disbelief, give us the patience to hold on. Raise our spirits from the abyss and bring us back into trusting you.
A stark reminder and warning to us in this day and age. Merton speaks truth in these words.
The delicate action of grace in the soul is profoundly disturbed by all human violence…. Violence is not completely fatal until it ceases to disturb us. — Seeds of Destruction (Chapter XIV, location 815, Kindle Edition)
Building a world of security and peace is not accomplished through the “individual” and “private” religious experience. The call of a life of faith must go beyond the individual and encompass the whole of humanity. We have lost that understanding of faith and life in far too many ways and places in our society. As he addresses seeds of destruction and a way forward that leads to peace, Thomas Merton offers us a glimpse of a better way. I invite you to join with me in reflecting on this particular quote and Merton’s invitation to look beyond ourselves and embrace a better way of living.
The person finds his reason for existence in the realm of truth, justice, love and liberty. He fulfils himself not by closing himself within the narrow confines of his own individual interests and those of his family, but by his openness to other men, to the civil society in which he lives and to the society of nations in which he is called to collaborate with others in building a world of security and peace. — Seeds of Destruction (location 1599, Kindle Edition)
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