Friday, January 31, 2014

Friday ~ January 31, 2014

Our nature imposes on us a certain pattern of development which we must follow if we are to fulfill our best capacities and achieve at least the partial happiness of being human. This pattern must be properly understood and it must be worked out in essential elements. Otherwise, we fail. But it can be stated very simply, in a single sentence: We must know the truth, and we must love the truth we know, and we must act according to the measure of our love.What are the elements of this "pattern" I speak of? First, and most important of all: I must adapt myself to objective reality, Second, this adaptation is achieved by the work of my highest spiritual faculties - intelligence and will. Third, it demands expression when my whole being, commanded by my will, produces actions which, by their moral vitality and fruitfulness, show that I am living in harmony with true order of things.

(Thomas Merton, 1915 - 1968)

Followers

Blog Archive