Thoughts from Thomas Merton on the development of Christian military violence

"Christianity overcame pagan Rome by nonviolence. But when Christianity became the religion of the Empire, then the stoic and political virtues of the Empire began to supplant the original theological virtues of the first Christians. The heroism of the soldier supplanted the heroism of the martyr- though there was still a consecrated minority, the monks, who kept the ideal of charity and martyrdom in first place.
The ideal of self-sacrifice was never altogether set aside- on the contrary! But it was transferred to a new sphere. Now the supreme sacrifice was to die fighting under the Christian emperor. The supreme self-immolation was to fall in battle under the standard of the Cross. In the twelfth century even monks took up the sword, and consummated their sacrifice of obedience by dying in battle against the infidels, against heretics...
Unfortunately, they also fought other monks, and this was not necessarily regarded as virtue. But it does show what comes of living by the sword!
Christian chivalry was the fruit of a union between Christian faith and Roman, Frankish, or Germanic valor. In other words, Christians did here what they also did elsewhere: They adopted certain non-Christian values and "baptised" them, consecrating them to God. Christianity might just as well have turned to the East and "baptized" the nonmilitant, contemplative, detached, and hieratic institutions of the Orient. But by the time Christianity was ready to meet Asia and the New World, the Cross and the sword were so identified with one another that the sword itself was a cross. It was the only kind of cross some conquistadors understood.
There was no further thought of Christianizing the ideals and institutions of these ancient civilizations: only of destroying them, and bringing their people into subjection to the militant Christianity of Europe. Hence the strange paradox that certain spiritual and largely nonviolent ideologies which were in fact quite close to the Gospel were attacked and coerced in the name of Christ by the Christian soldier who was often no longer a Christian except in name: for he was violent, greedy, self-complacent, and supremely contemptuous of anything that was not a perfect reflection of himself. "
--From Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander by Thomas Merton

I think Thomas Merton is this passage does a superb job off pointing out that somewhere along the line things got a bit turned about. Our Christian ancestors, outnumbered as they were, didn't take up arms against the Romans, yet survived. No doubt countless numbers did not survive. We find it unthinkable now that we would not take up arms against our adversaries. Somewhere along to the line, Jesus's example become a sort of ideal, something you never quite tried to fully obtain. Because He said to turn the other cheek, to give not only your shirt but your cloak, not only walk one mile but two, we only kill people when we are fully justified. Murderers are those who kill without societal justification. Most Christians don't take seriously Jesus's mandate of nonviolence. We immediately take things to their logical extremes (and maybe we should). Because I would kill in order to defend by family, then there is a situation in which I would kill. There is a qualifier. If you meet my qualifier, do not pass my filter test, then you die. So even though I may live to be a very old man and kill no one, I walk through life a murderer, harboring my murder, my fear, in my heart, like an egg waiting to be hatched. And when my qualifiers are met then I will kill, and everyone would find it justified, and perhaps (in the right situation) I will be given a medal from my government. If I were to say that I had no qualifiers, no conditions that would allow me to kill, then the world would declare me insane, or something worse, someone who didn't have the decency to defend his family. Perhaps because I am responsible for not only myself but also my loved ones, I don't have the luxury of trying to be Christlike. But this idea of nonviolence is not some sort of soft pacifism. This is the beginning of peace. Peace in my heart-not the peace of man (which means we have peace because I haven't killed you yet which means you must have passed my filter test), but the Peace of God- Peace that saturates and leaves no room for violence, for murder, for anything but Love. Not the kind of Love you find on a bumper sticker, but Love that transcends. Instead we talk about about just wars and collateral damage.

So pray for Peace. Pray for Israel, pray for Gaza. Pray that Love reigns and violence ends. Pray for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Pray.

Lord make me an instrument of your Peace. Amen.

Weekend before Christmas

My little family spent the weekend before Christmas at Gulf Shores, Alabama. This was our first December trip, we usually go down in May or August. It was wonderful. The weather was mostly cooperative, and the town was virtually deserted. Imagine going into a Walmart 3 days before Christmas and not having to wait in line to check out, and you begin to see how few people were there. It was about as tranquil a weekend that a guy with two young kids could ask for. I did manage to say the Hours most days. I hope this December trip is the beginning of a life long tradition.

Prepare for the Birth of the Lord who comes to live in You

Book of Isaiah 9,1-6.The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

The Lord comes to us as a child, beckoning us to come to Him. We prepare our hearts to receive Him. Is His resting place in us as it should be? Are we clean? Have we cleaned the clutter of our minds? Of our hearts? What worldly things fill the space within us set aside since the beginning of time for the Christ Child. Is it last minute shopping trips, presents for the kids, the in-laws, the spouse? Have the desperate sales of the department stores turned Christmas into a watershed day of savings? The headlines read, "The biggest savings are promised to come the day after Christmas." So Christmas becomes the day of rest before the big shopping spree. Is there anyway to preserve our spirituality and prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ?

Tonight, He comes. Born in a manger, in complete poverty. Not even does He have a place to lay His head, but his family is to spend the night with the cows, sheep, goats, and other animals so blessed to witness this special and unique birth. God comes to us in a child, vulnerable and weak. He is the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the world. Open your hearts to Him, shut out all worldly things, give every gift you can to the poor, to others. Only keep what you really need, what you really want. Give the rest away so you don't become the possession of your things. Share your abundance with those in need. Make way for the Lord.

Thoughts on the Body of Christ

Psalms 72,1.12-13.18-19.Of Solomon.
For he rescues the poor when they cry out, the oppressed who have no one to help. He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful deeds. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with the LORD'S glory. Amen and amen.

Dear Lord, let us be the hands that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, attend the sick and imprisoned, and welcome the stranger. Help us to give not from our abundance, but from a piece of what we have that is really valuable to us. Money that we'll miss, time we don't think we have, compassion that is deep within us, past the hard shell of our false self, where your Divine Love dwells in us. From this well of living water, let us nourish the poor and oppressed, and in the process bring us closer to sweet union with You, Sweet Spirit, our Lord and our God. Amen

Saying yes to God

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 21,28-32.

What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.

A prayer for good discipleship:
How often, dear Lord, do I say no. Not only in my words, but in my spirit, when you beckon me to you. Is it when I see someone in need, someone who might really need something from me? Food, clothing, shelter, money, love, time? Yet I judge them unworthy. Lord, save me from myself, from my hoarding of things and spending money on things I don't need when I have brothers and sisters in need of food, clothing, shelter, and love. Lord, help me to do your will, even when my initial knee-jerk reaction is to say No. Fill up my lack of Love with your Love, Lord Jesus, so I may be your servant who says "Here I am Lord, Send Me!

Refectory at St. Joseph's Abbey

Pictures of St. Joseph's would not be complete without pictures of the refectory. The room is absolutely fantastic. In addition to murals on every sizable piece of wall, each ceiling square is also painted.

St. Joseph Abbey Murals

Even with all the murals, there is a certain economy of stimilus in the abbey. The lack of stained glass allows one not to be overwhelmed by the senses but enter deeper into silence.

St Joseph's Abbey (additional pictures)

St. Joseph's Abbey

These are a few of the murals in the abbey, painted by artist, priest and monk, Gregory de Wit, OSB.

Visit to St. Joseph's Abbey outside of Covington, Louisiana

Yesterday I was able to take off from work and make a visit to St. Joseph's Abbey in St. Benedict, La., which is just outside of Covington, Louisiana. They have a wonderful little gift shop there and I buy a few crosses each year for the rosaries I make. Mass is at 11:15am, so I had the privilege of a attending mass while there. The celebrant priest appeared to have very limited eyesight, and held things within an inch or two of his left eye in order to read. Immediately I could sense he was extraordinarily gifted. He had a beautiful and commanding voice. This was the first time I had attended Mass at St. Joseph's with the seminary students in session, so the stalls were full of young men lending their voices to the chants and hymns of worship. It was a powerful experience. I wrote these thoughts immediately after Mass:

Mass was celebrated by a gifted priest with limited eyesight and no doubt expanded abilities otherwise. The stalls were full of seminary students and the abbey echoed with rich chants and hymns. Who could doubt that Christ is in this place!

In the tabernacle these young men kneel before, silently saying their prayers.

Present in the heart of every person here today- parishioners, seminarians, and monks.

O, holy Eucharist! Jesus, my sweet love! Fire of Jesus, consume me, that I may no longer be dull wood, but flame of your Flame. Consume me O Lord that I may no longer exist,

only embers burning in your Love.

I am consumed by Christ!

Children's Sabbath (additional pictures)

Services that celebrate children are few and far between. Our children are the future of our faith.

Our children are constantly marketed by television, music, and supermarkets. The "normal" in our society is so far off kilter in regards to violence, sex, vulgarity, and materialism, that your average person might be inclined to think you're a lunatic if you protest against it.

Let's bring the Peace of Christ to the world. Not worldly peace, but true Peace. Peace of the Spirit. Nothing else but entering the fullness of God who is Love will bring us to that place where God is calling us. Let us chose Peace. Peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, peace in our communities, peace in our country, peace in our world. Amen.

Children's Sabbath

This past Saturday we held the first annual children's sabbath in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, which included members of Court Street and Main Street Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
It included an hour of fun and games followed by a ecumenical worship service.
I would like to share a prayer from the service:

Tender and Tenacious God,
We confess that we have closed our eyes, hearts, and hands
when you have reached out and tried to teach us.

Making us in your image and calling your creation good,
You tried to reveal yourself to us in each child,
And yet we still try to divide people into "us" and "them."

Sending us Jesus, the Prince of Peace,
You tried to show us how to love another,
And yet we still resort to violence and might to solve our conflicts.

Feeding your people with manna sufficient for the day,
You wanted us to trust that we will have what we need and
to share what we can,
And yet we still try to hoard the blessings meant for all.

Forgive us, we pray, for failing to hear and heed
what you have tried to teach us.
Open our eyes that we see you in all children, not just our own,
That our children may be free from all hate;

Open our hearts that we seek to manifest your peace
in our lives and in our world,
That our children may be free from all harm;

Open our hands that we resist the urge to hoard,
and embrace the call to share,
That our children may be free from all need.

This we ask children made in your image,
safe in your love, and showered by your blessings. Amen.

American Consumerism

About 2 weeks ago a school teacher was killed in Laurel, Ms. There was some speculation about why she was killed, she had been bound and stabbed and her body set on fire. Her vehicle was missing. By all accounts, it was a gruesome death. When a young couple was arrested, the boy was about 24, and the girl 17, the story was told, although they are still bickering over who stabbed her. Apparently they had asked to use her phone, with the covert intention of stealing her big screen T.V. She asked them if they wanted to eat with her. They did. Then the man knocked her out and bound her hands and feet. Stabbing her to death yielded $30.00 dollars and, I presume, a big screen T.V.

The following week was Thanksgiving, and most stores, including Wal-Mart were having Black Friday sales. So from 5 a.m to noon you have a chance to fight over a limited amount of discounted merchandise, and I think the actual scam is that once you're in there and they're out of what you wanted, you'll buy something else anyway, for pretty much regular price. Big screen T.V.s are one of the heavily discounted items. At a store in New York state, Wal-Mart shoppers trampled one of the workers to death when he opened the door. Trampled him to death over a discounted big screen T.V.

I can't help noticing these two incidents are not unrelated. Both are products of our society of American Consumerism. Our power in the world is no longer our army, but our spending. As long as American consumers are spending, the world is turning. But now that our economy is in a recession, will the world continue to turn? Some may wonder. Our own government has sold us this lie of consumerism in shameless self promotion. Can't get a house loan? We'll set you up with predatory lenders. Can't afford the white house and white picket fence? That's O.K., the new American dream is big screen T.V.s and DVD players, video games, and automobiles. Everything else is out of the reach of the average American now. So people are trying to fill the void in their lives with electronics and little gadgets. And people are noticing it's not working, but instead of cashing in their chips, we just keep on looking for the next little piece of happiness.

The first thing we have to do is realize that our possessions are not going to bring us any real happiness, any real sense of peace. Poverty has many spiritual benefits, especially here in America, the land of relativism. Poverty, apart from Love of God, is nothing but misery. But poverty, in God's Love, buying and owning less than you want, and less than you need, is freedom.

Contemplative Catholic Spirituality

Welcome to my blog, it is my honor to have you as my guest. This is my reaching out to others, as I journey through life and marvel at it's complexities and contradictions. Discussion about Christian spirituality is becoming more restrictive in our contemporary American society, and I have felt compelled to add my voice to the discussion. Remember, the voice calling out in the desert may be your own. God Bless.