For years at my original blog (which also runs parallel on Substack for those who like to follow the blog via email) I had a quote from Thomas Merton running in the banner: You are not big enough to accuse the whole age effectively, but let us say you are in dissent. You are in no position to issue commands, but you can speak words of hope. Shall this be the substance of your message? Be human in this most inhuman of ages; guard the image of man for it is the image of God.
Richard, as someone who has followed your work since the Merton quote (which I love), when that O’Connor quote went up, I was just shaken (in a good way). A longtime fan of O’Connor also, that quote puts the focus on Christ and the shocking impropriety of his crucifixion and death. Thank you for the explanation!
I want to simultaneously cheer on your prophetic, stirring insights and writing, while also shake my fist at you and myself for how costly this kind of living and loving is. Thank you, God, for your Spirit who is swirling around inside our broken vessels. Help us walk in the stinky, bloody, mad footsteps of Jesus. The path of love.
Except that He wasn't "mad," of course, but only appeared that way to everyone who didn't yet truly know Him. I love the line in a Rich Mullins' song about how Jesus "set his face like a flint toward Jerusalem." https://youtu.be/-bXYqM3sh0o?si=4fyw4tsRahC_U3mJ
The more I recognize how much God loves me, the more I realize how much love challenges me… I feel as though I’ve reached the foothills but have yet to ascend the mountain.
What a striking image. Jesus should shock the Hell out of us, otherwise His Gospel hasn't sunk in. If His Word isn't making us uncomfortable, then are we really listening?
Richard, as someone who has followed your work since the Merton quote (which I love), when that O’Connor quote went up, I was just shaken (in a good way). A longtime fan of O’Connor also, that quote puts the focus on Christ and the shocking impropriety of his crucifixion and death. Thank you for the explanation!
Regarding Merton and Humanism, I've always liked Landon Saunders' quote: "Jesus was the world's greatest Humanist." Changed how I saw "humanism".
I want to simultaneously cheer on your prophetic, stirring insights and writing, while also shake my fist at you and myself for how costly this kind of living and loving is. Thank you, God, for your Spirit who is swirling around inside our broken vessels. Help us walk in the stinky, bloody, mad footsteps of Jesus. The path of love.
whoah 😳thank you for this🙏 so grateful & helpful to read this, at this exact moment …
Except that He wasn't "mad," of course, but only appeared that way to everyone who didn't yet truly know Him. I love the line in a Rich Mullins' song about how Jesus "set his face like a flint toward Jerusalem." https://youtu.be/-bXYqM3sh0o?si=4fyw4tsRahC_U3mJ
I'm a bit bummed I haven't heard of you until now. Thanks.
The more I recognize how much God loves me, the more I realize how much love challenges me… I feel as though I’ve reached the foothills but have yet to ascend the mountain.
What a striking image. Jesus should shock the Hell out of us, otherwise His Gospel hasn't sunk in. If His Word isn't making us uncomfortable, then are we really listening?