That Merton Was Pretty Smart

As we approach our Monastic Immersion Weekend, one of the items left in each man’s room is the famous quote from Thomas Merton from Thoughts In Solitude.  While it certainly fits for men discerning a vocation, when you read it you’ll see it fits for every person:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.  I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.  And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

I think Father Louis wouldn’t mind if we substitute ‘face my decisions’ for face my perils.  That’s what he’s saying here isn’t it?  Leave it to God.

For the men coming this weekend they will be encouraged by this community to leave it to God and to ‘trust God always.’

Good advice for all of us…