Merton: learning prayer and love

Wednesday, April 24, 2024
    Commemoration of Mellitus, First Bishop of London, 624
Meditation:
    Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
    —Matthew 26:36-39 (KJV)
Quotation:
    Prayer and love are learned in the hour when prayer becomes impossible and your heart has turned to stone.
    ... Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Seeds of Contemplation, London: Hollis & Carter, 1949, New Directions. 1949, p. 140 (see the book)
    See also Matt. 26:36-39; Mark 14:34-36
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, only you can teach me prayer and love. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
    search    script    mobile
sub    fb    twt    inst    Jonah    ; Ruth