UNIVERSE IS MY HOME
But what about you? What about me? Unlike the animals and the trees, it is not enough for us to be what our nature intends. It is not enough for us to be individual men and women. For us, holiness is more than humanity. For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self. Trees and animals have no problem. God makes them what they are without consulting them, and they are perfectly satisfied. With us it is different. God leaves us free to be whatever we like. We can be ourselves or not, as we please. We are at liberty to be real, or to be unreal. We may be true or false, the choice is ours.... Our vocation is not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny. We are free beings and sons and daughters of God.
Thomas Merton, Peacemaker; Meditations on Merton, Peacemaking and the Spiritual Life, by John Dear Pg .14
Invitation: “…to be myself ...”
More about Thomas Merton and his body of work (Link).
And John Dear in the video on his work for peace.
We will meet for the Community Table Monday, June 9th at 4:30 PM ET. Contact us for information HERE.
Learn More About Circles of Courageous Commons HERE
Loving potato!
Agree with Merton, or not.
The best, at the end.
"For us, holiness is more than humanity. For me to be a saint means to be myself. Therefore the problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self." ~ Thomas Merton
To be a saint means to be myself -- this is a liberating notion of saint for me. Thank you Thomas Merton.