Merton and Peace

Based upon some conversations I have been a part of this week, these words from Thomas Merton from his book No Man Is an Island spoke to my heart. The God of peace is never glorified in violence.

In these times of local AND worldwide challenges, I believe my brother Thomas would agree with another prophet, John Lennon: All we are saying is give peace a chance. May we indeed work to give peace chance ♥️

Dear reader, this is my fervent prayer for you and for me. In the words of St Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.