Thomas Merton & 9/11, a centered thought

[Steve Loan]

A centering thought for 9/11

So, instead of loving what you think is peace, love others, and love God above all.And, instead of hating the people you think are warmongers, hate the appetite and disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed. But hate these things in yourself, not in another.
Thomas Merton

[Siobhan Blues]

That's cool to see a quote of Thomas Merton's here. Not long ago I got a book called 'A Year with Thomas Merton' and I've enjoyed reading it. Here's a thought-provoking entry:

"A flash of sanity: the momentary realization that there is no need to come to certain conclusions about persons, events, conflicts, trends, even trends toward evil and disaster, as if from day to day, and even from moment to moment I had to know and declare (at least to myself) that this is so and so, this is good, this is bad... What do such judgments mean? Little or nothing. Things are as they are in an immense whole of which I am a part and which I cannot pretend to grasp.... Things will continue to define themselves and the judgements and mercies of God will clarify themselves and will be more clear to me if I am silent and attentive, obedient to His will, rather than constantly formulating statements in this age..."

This was written in 1966 but how appropriate it is even today. Yes the violence of 9/11 was shocking and heartbreaking, but more so because nothing like that had happened in this country before. Friends overseas gently pointed this out, that many of them have seen or been affected by such violence and terrorism before. My best friend in England had a department store explode just minutes after she had left it, a number of years ago... she and I agree we will continue to seek safety in the port of God's wisdom, knowing He is in control of all things ultimately. Its all we can actually do...