July 29, 2022 – Words of Wisdom, Thomas Merton

“Souls are like athletes, that need opponents worthy of them, if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers, and rewarded according to their capacity.”  Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.He was in the wilderness forty days, tested by Satan, and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels waited on him.” Mark 1:9-13

The Athletic Soul

How do you learn best? Do you like to read a lot and dive into textbooks and user’s manuals before you act? Perhaps you are the “hands on” kind of learner who chucks the manuals and likes to get their hands dirty – you learn better by doing rather than reading. Do you feel more comfortable planning ahead before you begin a project, or do you like to begin even before you have collected all the materials and help you might need? We all have particular ways we like to learn or to plan out a project – just as we all have particular ways we like to embark on life experiences. Some will read all they can about a place they are planning to visit, reading about the sights to see, the people and their tastes, the rules of behavior. Others like to get onto a plane, land in the city or country and explore without any preconceived thoughts or planning.

So what is more anxiety producing for you – the experience or the planning? Which is harder for you in life – the lead up to a trip or experience, or the trip or experience itself? Thomas Merton claims, “Souls are like athletes, that need opponents worthy of them, if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers, and rewarded according to their capacity.”  In other words, unless we live our lives accepting the challenges that come our way, we may never know the true capacity of our faith, and our abilities. The Devil was a worthy opponent for Jesus, but without his “wilderness  experience” he may not have known the extent of his faith, his Father’s love, and the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat evil.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, we are constantly confronted with opponents and opportunities. Give me the strength today to face my opponents and embrace my opportunities with your love, mercy and grace – strengthened by your Spirit. Amen.

Pastor Dave

July 28, 2022 – Words of Wisdom, Thomas Merton

“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.”

Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:1-6

The Desire to Please G-d

I believe we have a desire to please G-d if we have determined to be a follower of Jesus. The problem with this desire is that it goes against our human inclination. You see, our human inclination is to be concerned only about our personal needs. But Jesus calls us out of ourselves to do loving acts for our neighbors and to love G-d before we worry about our own needs. And that is a counter-cultural movement in America today.

Even Jesus’ own Disciples did not understand his teachings and had a hard time getting out of their own way. So we are in good company when we say “I want to be a follower of Jesus, but to live and forgive and love as he asks is so hard.”

Thomas Merton says “But I believe that the desire to please you (Lord) does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.” What more can we hope for then the desire to please G-d and the trust that Jesus will show us the path.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, sometimes I do the very thing I do not want to do, and sometimes I live as you call me to live. Show me the path you want me to follow today and give me the will to see it through. Amen. Pastor Dave