Merton: to be grateful

Tuesday, December 10, 2013
    Commemoration of Thomas Merton, Monk, Spiritual Writer, 1968
Meditation:
    Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
    —Philippians 1:12-13 (NIV)
Quotation:
    To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us—and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful man knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.
    ... Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Thoughts in Solitude [1958], Macmillan, 1999, p. 48 (see the book)
    See also Phil. 1:12-13; Ps. 34:8; 106:1; 145:9; Matt. 10:29; Luke 21:17-18; 22:35; John 6:11; Rom. 8:28; 1 John 4:7-10
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, I have tasted Your goodness. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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