Thomas Merton’s writing continues to have an influence for many as they seek a deeper spiritual life. In memory of Merton and on the 100th anniversary of his birth, January 31, PBS re-ran this piece on his life and work:
More on the 100th anniversary from Chicago Now
Today (Friday) is Thomas Merton’s 100th birthday. Thomas Merton (January 31, 1915- December 10, 1968) was a Catholic convert who became a Trappist Monk, a writer and even a peace activist. Why does Merton still matter?
My favorite prayer of Merton’s continues to be:
“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 I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that 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 will I 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.”
What is your memory of Thomas Merton?
posted by Ann Fontaine
By Mind meal<a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/”>CC-BY-SA-3.0</a> from Wikimedia Commons