thankful

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)

a puddle in the pig lot

/ Bill Schulz / Leave a comment

Brilliant and gorgeous day, bright sun, breeze making all the leaves and high brown grass shine. Singing of the wind in the cedars. Exultant day, in which a puddle in the pig lot shines like precious silver.

Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. That I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself – and, if I accept myself fully in the right way, I will already have surpassed myself.
– Thomas Merton, journal entry – October 2, 1958

farm farmer pink ears

Photo by mali maeder on Pexels.com

You know all my ways

/ Bill Schulz / Leave a comment

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)

St. Francis of Assisi

/ Bill Schulz / Leave a comment

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.