Thomas Merton – Grace Partakers

“Sanctity can never abide a merely speculative solution to the problem of suffering. Sanctity solves the problem not by analyzing but by suffering. It is a living solution, burned in the flesh and spirit of the saint by fire. Scripture itself tells us as much. ‘As silver is tried by fire and gold in the furnace, so the Lord trieth hearts’ ” (Prov 17:3). (“Saint John of the Cross” by Fr. Thomas Merton)

SEEKING PROFITS

"Every day, people seek profits for the investments they make in time, in effort, in monies. Every day, some people win -- what seems to them -- "the whole world." I'm not sure Jesus equates winning the whole world with loss of one's soul. Rather, I think Jesus implies one's focus ought not to be on getting "the whole world", but on getting a relationship with Him so as to keep one's soul."

HOLDING FAST TO GOOD

“Holding fast to the good is such a map for happiness. If you see the good in the other, then you are able to bless the other even as he curses you. If you see the good in the moment, then you will not repay evil for evil. Instead you will do what is perceived as honorable to all. Such a paradox exists in the Christian walk. We walk by faith, hoping for that which is unseen. Our hope is that good will outdo evil, that perfection will triumph over imperfection, that God will be triumphant over the evil one. And of course God is triumphant and good does overcome evil. Perfection does overwhelm imperfection, and holiness swallows sin. Therefore, let your love be true.”