More insights from Thomas Merton on how we work with others.
In our refusal to accept the partially good intentions of others and work with them (of course prudently and with resignation to the inevitable imperfection of the result) we are unconsciously proclaiming our own malice, our own intolerance, our own lack of realism, our own ethical and political quackery.
Again Merton turns the picture around on us. We will not work with "them" and when we say this, it says more about us than them. It shows more about our limitations and unwillingness to move beyond our limitations or to even see them so that they do not block the way of our reaching across to others. Yes, there are folk out there who will trick and trade and be so self-consumed that they cannot enter into an honest working relationship, but, as Merton notes, we are always to be prudent in regard to our dialogical adventures with others - the adventure doesn't stop. We are to still move out beyond that which controls us and sets us up as part of the problem that is brewing in the world. This is not an easy adventure. In fact, it demands that we continually stay in contact with those we oppose in order to come into some type of understanding of what it is in us that creates the gulf between us. It is much easier to simply point...I do that well and I find it to be something of which I must continually move into repentance.
Connection: Again, we need that mirror to help us see us. Not us as we would like to be or us in comparison to others...but each of us as we are...with nothing to hide.
As you walk with us, O God, and as you attempt to move us into a position of honesty and hopefulness, guide us as we walk. There are too many ways we can be tempted to move and yet we know that you call us along the way of your beloved...lead us down that way. Amen.
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