Note: This was passed along to me a while ago by a fellow co-worker (and Thomas Merton fan); thought it would be an appropriate item to post ahead of time for a day when I’m well ensconsed here with the Maronite monks on my retreat. But appropriate for any day, I think…

The Violence of Modern Life

The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by the multitude of conficting concerns, to surrender to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. More than that, it is cooperation in violence. The frenzy of the activist neutralizes one’s work for peace. It destroys one’s inner capacity for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness of one’s work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.

Pretty amazing stuff that makes you think. Have a blessed day, everyone. Dona nobis pacem