Finding Our Reason For Existence: A Brief Reflection

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)