mercy

the light of truth

/ Bill Schulz / Leave a comment

The light of truth burns without a flicker in the depths of a house that is shaken with storms of passion and of fear. “You will not fear the terror of the night.” And so I go on trying to walk on the waters of the breakdown. Worse than ever before and better than ever before. It is always painful and reassuring when he who I am not is visibly destroyed by the hand of God in order that the simplicity in the depths of me, which is God’s image, may be set free to serve God in peace. Sometimes in the midst of all this I am tremendously happy, and I have never in my life begun to be so grateful for God’s mercy.
– Thomas Merton, Journal entry, October 22, 1952

(photo: Monastery of Christ in The Desert, NM – September 2018)

Mr. or Mrs. Nobody – William Stafford

/ Bill Schulz / Leave a comment

Some days when you look out, the land
is heavy, following its hills, dim
where the road bends. There are days when
having the world is a mistake.
But then you think, “Well, anyway, it wasn’t
my idea,” and it’s OK again.

Suppose that a person who knows you happens
to see you going by, and it’s one of those days –
for a minute you have to carry the load
for them, you’ve got to lift the whole
heavy world, even without knowing it,
being a hero, stumbling along.
Some days it’s like that. And maybe
today. And maybe all the time.

Image may contain: sky, mountain, twilight, cloud, nature and outdoor

(photo: Abiquiu, NM – September 2017)

You know all my ways

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O Lord, you search me and you know me.

You yourself know my resting and my rising; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You mark when I walk or lie down; you know all my ways through and through.

For it was you who formed my inmost being, knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I thank you who wonderfully made me; how wonderful are your works, which my soul knows well.

O search me, God, and know my heart. O test me and know my thoughts.

See that my path is not wicked, and lead me in the way everlasting.

From Psalm 139

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(photo: Grindstone, Maine – September 2019)

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

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From “The Life of St. Francis:”

At the hour of the passing of the holy man, the larks – birds that love the light, and dread the shades of twilight – flocked in great numbers unto the roof of the house, albeit the shades of night were then falling, and wheeling around it for a long while with songs even gladder than their wont, offered their witness, alike gracious and manifest, unto the glory of the Saint, who had been wont to call them unto the divine praises.

Pace e bene to us all.

St. Francis of Assisi

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No photo description available.

There are many images of St. Francis of Assisi. This small work was in a classroom at The Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley. I saw it most every day for the three years I was there. When I think of St. Francis, and I often do, this is who I see.

St. Francis, pray for us.

This evening, followers of St. Francis of Assisi will keep a memorial of his passing on October 3, 1226. I pray that his spirit of reconciliation and love for all creation bless each one of us.

Blessing of St. Francis –
May God bless you and keep you, smiling graciously on you, granting mercy and peace, granting mercy and peace. May God bless you and keep you, May you see the face of God, granting mercy and peace, granting mercy and peace. Amen. Amen. Amen.