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Dear Donald, Thank you for your 'gravity point' from Thomas Merton's insightful commentary on today's Gospel. It has really set me thinking! Fr. Christian and his Brothers made that pilgrimage in their love of Christ to the 'brothers of the mountains', from the first point of departure, "the Cistercian Order's rule of hospitality and sharing, "especially with the poor and foreigners" and those who are suffering" (quote from the Preamble to the film); to the point of arrival, recognizing in the face of the other the complete expression of their faith, "in whom I see the face of God", Fr. Christian's testimony giving the most perfect definition to Christ's words, "Love your enemies". Thomas Merton's challenge takes us from the meaning of these words into the expression we are prepared to give to them – will we "see that the stranger we meet… is no other than ourselves" [?] "which is the same as saying we find Christ in him"[?]. That requires that we are able to say with It is indeed the "gravity point" for us as individuals as you so describe it, surely the pilgrimage of our lives. Thank you.... … in Our Lord, William ----- Original Message ----- From: Donald … To: William J … Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 10:16 PM Subject: Thomas Merton Hi, Wiiliam, My turn for the Mass tomorrow. Thank you for your previous flash from Thomas Merton Tomorrow's, Tues, (goodnews.ie), Merton quotes: Thomas Merton wrote: "Our task now is to learn that if we can voyage to the ends of the earth and find ourselves in the aborigine who most differs from ourselves, we will have made a fruitful pilgrimage. That is why pilgrimage is necessary, in some shape or other. Mere sitting at home and meditating on the divine presence is not enough for our time. We have to come to the end of a long journey and see that the stranger we meet there is no other than ourselves – which is the same as saying we find Christ in him." Merton gets to 'gravity point, of, "and see that the stranger we meet there is no other than ourselves – which is the same as saying we find Christ in him." Excuse from my late post … God bless, Donald |
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