It is now 1941and Thomas continues to pray for God's grace. He gets drafted. He decides as far as he can tell this is a just war to fight but many of the means to fight it are unjust, such as bombing of civilians. He registers as a non-combatant objector so he will be in a non combat role which he is pleased with. He is at peace with his decision and is ready to go but fails the physical. The section I wanted to bring up today is when he has been drafted and is getting ready to go. He takes a look at the school in the sunlight and thinks it is beautiful. Then he states:
My eyes opened and took all this in. And for the first time in my life I realized that I no longer cared whether I preserved my place in all this or lost it: whether I stayed here or went to the army. All that no longer mattered. It was in the hands of One Who loved me far better than I could ever love myself: and my hear was filled with peace.
It was a peace that did not depend on houses, or jobs, or places, or times, or external conditions. It was a peace that time and material created situations could never give. It was peace that the world could not give. pg 314
Now I will be the first to admit I have thought, "Gee wouldn't it be great to have a sports car." or "Wouldn't it be nice to have a place on the beach." We have talked about using worldly goods to praise God but Merton here is reminding us that all these temporal things are not the goal; they are a means to the goal. Praising God and doing His will is the key, don't get tied up in material things. We will be rewarded with God's peace which is greater than anything on this earth.
My prayer today, Lord help me keep my eye on You and not get distracted or bogged down by the things of this world. Focus me on using the goods of this world to bring people a little closer to You today. Amen
Pax
Joe
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