It seems that the last few months have highlighted the suffering of the planet. No one can escape the news about natural catastrophes, genocide, nuclear disasters, wars and brutalities against humanity, not to mention our personal problems. I do not pretend to have an easy answer for this situation, yet I would like to share some words written by Thomas Merton many moons ago. His words have given me much food for thought!
"Indeed the truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most: and his suffering comes to him from things so little and so trivial that one can say that it is no longer objective at all. It is his own existence, his own being that is at once the source of his pain, and his very existence and consciousness is his greatest torture." Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, Harcourt, Inc. New York, 1978, pg.82
Are we allowing the smaller insignificant things to torture us? If so, then the tragedies that surround us today will totally annihilate our spirits.
Is there room for hope and growth in the midst of it all?
 |
| Alaska glacier 2011 |
2 comments:
Wonderful quote from the Master: Merton. It reminds me of Shakespeare's "A coward dies a thousand times before his death".
If we believe in Jesus, if we know that God is in charge, and loves us and cares for us, if we really do know that, because of our faith, we should not be afraid! But then, we are mortals, weak and lack the sufficient faith to trust that all will be well.
Please post everyday, we need this kind of thoughtful moments . and tell me, when are we going to read your book, cant wait!
Amiga
True, so much suffering...inevitable if we truly embrace our lives. Thank you for sharing the wisdom of Merton. I find hope and growth in every single new day...in every struggle. The media would have us believe different, but I find in my own limited experience that God is in the middle of, deep within each circumstance, within and part of each event... suffering with me and all of humanity...and creating new, hopeful sparks of life, too. Sounds poetic, true, but I have lived this and it is very real to me.
Aimée
Post a Comment