Monthly Archives: October 2020

Merton’s Prayers: On the ITMS Group Page

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Steve Harper

The “Merton’s Prayers” series will now post only on the International Thomas Merton Society Group Page on Facebook. I really want you to find the reflections there, in the midst of a rich feast of other writings with respect to … Continue reading →

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Merton’s Prayers: January 16, 1941

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Steve Harper

More than a year has passed since Merton included a prayer in his journal. But I must emphasize that the intervening months contain ample evidence of his prayerful life, largely shaped by Roman Catholic liturgy and the liturgical calendar. Merton … Continue reading →

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Along the Way: Originalism

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Steve Harper

​Once again the concept of Originalism is being heard in the land. It is essentially a legal hermeneutic which says a contemporary law must express the intent of “the founding fathers” around the year 1789. The late Supreme Court justice … Continue reading →

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Merton’s Prayers: December 21, 1939

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Steve Harper

“Blessed Saint Thomas, who are blessed because, seeing the risen Christ and handling His wounds you believed in Him: pray to Him that I, seeing His body and the blood of His wounds each day may also believe Him, and … Continue reading →

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Merton’s Prayers: December 19, 1939

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Steve Harper

“Now we faithful glorify  the Holy Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit  and we give this triune Lord  all the taste of the salt  all the love of the heart  all the fervor of the soul for ever and … Continue reading →

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Merton’s Prayers

Posted on October 13, 2020 by Steve Harper

October 22, 1939 “Pax Tecum Filumena” (“Peace be with you, Philomena) [1] Between his last recorded prayer and this one (two months) Merton accepted a call to the priesthood and consulted with friends about how best to fulfill the call. … Continue reading →

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Along the Way: The Root Problem

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Steve Harper

​I agree with those who point out that social media can be a place where rage overtakes reason, where emotions overrule education. And I confess my own failures along this line in some of the things I have posted. It … Continue reading →

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Along the Way: Fluid Formation

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Steve Harper

​Years ago, Richard Foster and I were visiting over a meal. It happened to be at a time when my daily devotions were tepid. I asked him about this, hoping he could share something that would “jump start” my prayer … Continue reading →

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Merton’s Prayers: August 24, 1939 #2

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Steve Harper

August 24, 1939 “Christ, have mercy on us. God save you, Mary, full of grace.” [1] Merton entered a second prayer into his journal the same day that he included the first one. It was a response he had to … Continue reading →

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Merton’s Prayers: August 24, 1939

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Steve Harper

​“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our … Continue reading →

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Merton’s Prayers: Introduction

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Steve Harper

​In my classes on Spiritual Formation, I had the opportunity to refer to a host of saints, canonized and otherwise. I made it a point to say that when studying persons, the best way to get to know them is … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Living on the Edge of the Inside

Posted on October 3, 2020 by Steve Harper

Some of you will immediately recognize the title of this post as one of Richard Rohr’s phrases to describe where he believes God calls us to live.[1]  I have intentionally used his words, because I agree with him, and because … Continue reading →

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Day One: October 2020

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Steve Harper

Thanks to those of you who have recently subscribed to Oboedire so you can automatically receive what I write. And thanks to those of you who have encouraged me to continue writing. I hope a new pace will provide me … Continue reading →

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