Weaknesses and deficiencies … play a most important part in all our lives. It is because of them that we need others and others need us. We are not all weak in the same spots, and so we supplement and complete one another, each one making up in himself for the lack in another.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
We too often forget that faith is a matter of questioning and struggle before it becomes one of certitude and peace. You have to doubt and reject everything else in order to believe firmly in Christ, and after you have begun to believe, your faith itself must be tested and purified.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Prayer is not so much a way to find God as a way of resting in him…who loves us, who is near to us.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Now, if one will attain to true peace, he must yield himself up to this spiritual destitution; he must make nothing of it; he must in all single heartedness resign himself to the holy will of God, and suffer this oppression of spirit in all patience; yes, even if it were to endure to the end of the world.
–Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361)
