Today a quote from Thomas Merton’s book, “Contemplative Prayer”

“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 community, the monk is bound to explore the inner waste of his own being as a solitary.  The Word of God which is his 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 by dread.  “Alleluia”, is the song of the desert. 

     The Christian (even though he be a monk or a hermit) is never merely an isolated individual.  He is a member of the praising community, the People of God.  “Alleluia”, is the victorious acclamation of the Risen Savior.  Yet the people of God itself, while celebrating the praise of the Lord in a tabernacle of beauty  overshadowed by the Bright Cloud of his presence, is still on pilgrimage.  We acclaim God as members of a community that has been blessed and saved and is traveling to meet him as he comes in promised Advent.  Yet as individuals we know ourselves to be sinners.  The prayer of the monk is dictated by this twofold consciousness of sin and redemption, wrath and mercy — as is the prayer of every Christian.  But the monk is called to explore these two dimensions more thoroughly, and at greater cost, than his brothers who are devoted to works of mercy, or creativity in the world”.

     Consider your own life of prayer, how is it the same as the monk?  How does it differ?  Does it have to differ or can we who live in the world have the same relationship with God?  What do you think?

Quote:  Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer.  pg 27