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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Being, not doing

I am learning that God cares much more about who I am than about what I do. In the words of Thomas Merton, the Trappist monk (who, by the way, has some of the wisest, most profound writings! I want to read more by him):



"Untie my hands and deliver my heart from sloth. Set me free from the laziness that goes about disguised as activity when activity is not required of me, and from the cowardice that does what is not demanded, in order to escape sacrifice.
But give me the strength that waits upon You in silence and peace. Give me humility in which alone is rest, and deliver me from prise which i s the heaviest of burdens. And possess my whole heart and soul with the simplicity of love. Occupy my whole life with the one thought and the one desire of love, that I may love not for the sake of merit, not for the sake of perfection, not for the sake of virtue, not for the sake of sanctity, but for you alone."

2 comments:

  1. Wow that is beautiful. Is it bad that I find it funny that he was a "trappist" monk? Hope you're feeling better! Praying for you!

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  2. Well stated, Emily - a valuable observation!

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