Fw: AM with Merton (The desert)
"The climate in which monastic prayer flowers is that of the desert,
where the comfort of man is absent, where the secure routines of man's
city offer no support, and where prayer must be sustained by God in the
purity of faith. Even though he may live in a community, the monk is
bound to explore the inner waste of his own being as a solitary. the
Word of God which is s comfort is also his distress. The liturgy,
which
is his joy and which reveals to him the glory of God, cannot fill a
heart that has not previously been humbled and emptied of dread.
Alleluia is the song of the desert."
(CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER, page 27)
What is my climate for prayer, what support do I find there?
Wayne
http://community.webtv.net/wayneburnsB/WayneBurns
"Lord of the loving heart, may mine be loving too,
Lord of the gentle heart, may mine be gentle too.
Lord of the willing feet, may mine be willing too,
So may I grow more like you
In all I say or do. Amen"
posted by Dan Phillips @ 4:47 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
THE DESERT..............To find Him, we must go into that desert that He guides us to. Though surrounded with many others, we must be alone with Him...lonely and hungry and thirsting...searching...listening... Don Brennan Warren MI
EMPTY.............Mother Teresa said 'Even God cannot fill a heart that is not empty.' Blessed are they who have learned to empty themselves so that there is plenty of room to welcome Him. Don Brennan Warren MI
SOLITARY............To find God and to be in union with Him is the joy of all who believe...not just for monks and hermits. It is in solitude, that the soul may truly rejoice and hear what the loving Lord is whispering in the soul. Don Brennan
SUPPORT.............In our longing for prayer, we are supported by the thirst that God has placed into each one's heart. Someone said well: "In each heart there is a piece missing...it is God-shaped." Don Brennan Warren MI
God has made a friendly Universe for everybody. People can choose whatever they want in life and as long as they know excatly what they want it will be given to them.
God rules the Universe because it is his creation. There are some simple rules to achieve a good life on Earth before the journey to a higher spirtual level continues after this life.
God has made his Universe friendly and has given the man the freedom to choose between god and bad. The devine live in everybody and in that sence we all have God in us.
CLIMATE OF PRAYER.....When we seek to pray, certain things have already taken place:...God has called to us...God has first stirred the heart in desire for His Presence...we are 'lonely' for Him Whom the soul loves...we seek a quiet place where intrusions are less likely. This 'climate' is a necessary first step. Don Brennan Warren MI
COMFORTED OR NOT.......Someone said so wisely 'The word of God is a great comfort to those in trial and a discomforting factor to those who are feeling no need of God.' On one hand, the Word gives strength and peace to those who welcome it. On the other hand, it makes very uncomfortable those who know that they are quietly 'fighting' the good that God wishes to inspire them to. Don Brennan Warren MI
ALLELUIA.............The song of the desert...Well said. Surely, it is the song of those who have come to be alone with their God. It is the song that the soul sings even in its tears because it has not forgotten the goodness of God towards it. It is a response to the embrace of God. Don Brennan Warren MI
Yes, being alone leads to silence and silence leads to God.
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