INTEGRITY

One of the most prolific and well-known spiritual writers in America was Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, who wrote extensively about spirituality for over 20 years (1940's through the 60's). A spiritual director in his own right, Merton's writing has inspired millions. While many have experienced growth through his writings, rather than writing to impress others, his words expressed his own spiritual journey; his search for God.

One of his most famous publications was New Seeds of Contemplation. Written in the late 40's, it is a collection of essays dealing with spirituality. One of those entries is entitled "Integrity," within that he writes the following quote:

How can you expect to reach your own perfection by leading someone else's life? You must have the humility to work out your salvation in a darkness where you are absolutely alone. It takes heroic humility to be yourself and to be nobody but the [person] or artist that God intended you to be.

......continued from June's E-Newsletter.

Although written almost 60 years ago, its depth and inherent challenge is timely and appropriate to where many of us find ourselves today. In our next three spiritual reflections, we will ponder this quote and hopefully recognize it as useful in our personal spiritual journeys.

How often in our reflective moments do we find ourselves asking the question: "Who am I?" We can readily ask ourselves this wen we are trying to figure out our identity, when we are confused about our place in life, when we recognize we are trying to please others, conform or be what others expect us to be. Many of us in an effort to please or look good waste so much personal energy; we never discover the "hidden treasure" that lies within each one of us. Keep in mind there is nothing wrong in wanting to make a favorable impression in the eyes of others; sometime it is necessary in order to maintain our jobs etc. Yet the obsession with acceptance by others can blind us to what God may want us to be. St. Paul in his description of the Christian community uses the analogy of the Body. Paul says: "The body is not all heart, nor head; rather many parts make up the body." Yet in reality many of us want to be or believe we must be one of those major parts and in our efforts to be exactly that, we lose or never discover who we have been created to be. Look at some of those great people of our faith tradition that we admire or have devotion to: Mary, Joseph, Francis of Assisi. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day, etc. One of the admirable qualities these individuals share was their determination to be faithful to "that person" they were created to be by God.

Today is a great day to pray for our own discovery. Spend some time pondering, not being self-critical, and just ask yourself if you believe you are striving to be the person that God wants you to be. If your reflection leads you to say 'yes I am,' then thank God! If not, ask for the help to begin to discover yourself. Realize that the discovery is not a momentary one but rather a lifelong journey that leads us to God.

Fr. Jerry Kessel, OFM Cap