Welcome to a new week. Today Thomas Merton shares what he sees as Gandhi's legacy of non-violence.
The evil we suffer cannot be eliminated by a violent attack in which one sector of humanity flies at another in destructive fury. Our evils are common and the solution of them can only be common. But we are not ready to undertake this common task because we are no ourselves. Consequently the first duty of every man is to return to his own "right mind" in order that society itself may be sane.
I would imagine that Gandhi would be saddened and have much to say to the world of today where terrorist fly off in destructive fury and nations fly off to make war. It is as though we do not have the heart to enter into any other action than to fight and attack one another. We even hear people making fun of those who suggest that we talk with enemies before we find ourselves at war and in battles that seem impossible to stop. To return to a "right mind" is vital but it is not all that easy. Who wants to change direction and begin to live in a new way when the way we live has been able to give us what we want? When we are willing to go in a new direction, repent, both sides will find that they must abandon some positions and take on new ones. As we all know, that is easier said than done. Then again, Merton reminds us that it is a common task. It is something we can enter into each day. Today is always an opportunity to step into and live from that "right mind" where reconciliation and forgiveness and truth shapes who we become.
Connection: It is always possible to return to our "right mind"...our "right heart". It begins with the actions of this day.
When you call us to turn around and come home, O God, we hesitate. It is not easy to stop the ways we have been moving in life and turn around to grasp the life you offer to us within you Reign. Inspire us to be open to the changes of life that bring about peace and justice and mercy and hope. Amen.
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