Thomas Merton – Making a Start…

Paul writes - I’ve recently been reading Thomas Merton (this guy has been such a gift to me over the years) on contemplation and the monastic life. Talking about reform he made the following comments. I find them evocative, timely and motivating, particularly as many of us are thinking and acting out of a desire to see “reform” within the established, or some might want to say, “institutional church”. Here’s what Merton says:

“…My … life and my contribution to a renewal in monasticism [must] begin within myself and in my own daily life…

Creativity has to begin with me and I can’t sit here wasting time urging the monastic institution to become creative and prophetic. To begin with there is really not much change to be expected within the framework of the institution. It can change so much and no more. So it is useless lamenting over the fact that it can’t be more creative [more missional, more engaged with culture, more connected with its spirituality and tradition etc]. It’s useless lamenting over the fact that the best people continue to leave and it’s useless building hopes on illusory token changes… What each of us has to do, what I have to do, is to buckle down and really start investigating new possibilities in our own lives… Above all we must be more attentive to God’s way and God’s time, and give everything when it is really demanded…”

Remember, he is talking about monastic renewal, and he is talking to monks at Gethsemani. He continues:

“Let me encourage you as a brother to forget about other people who are supposed to help you do it. Do it yourself with the help of the Holy Spirit…

Let’s live now. Let us not project ourselves too far ahead. Let us live in the present. Our re-thinking of the contemplative life is part of our present contemplation. Our new life will emerge from authenticity now…” Merton’s is an invitation to “dynamic reconstruction”.

Comments

[Mick]

Wow, incredibly relevant to my/our current ecclesial circumstances. Words for me to ponder as I reflect on my own meager efforts to try and "jump start" a Mac truck by pushing it up hill. Do you mind citing the reference?

[Paul Fromont]

Hi Mick. Pleased it resonated. It was taken from Merton's posthumously published "Contemplation in a World of Action" (a fantastic book!), pp.338.

[+ Alan]

Oh, my, goodness! I've never seen that quote before. That's a keeper for sure. Thanks, mate, for posting that - very much. I think I needed to hear that right now.