Today, as my Franciscan community celebrates the life of our recently deceased brother Harry Monaco, OFM, with the funeral mass of resurrection, we might also pause to remember and celebrate the life of Thomas Merton who died on this day 43 years ago. There is so much that could be said about Merton, so instead of adding some commentary, I simply share the prayer from Thoughts in Solitude that has become so famous and has spoken to the hearts of so many.
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
