Contemplative Haven

Sep 08 2008

Monday Morning With Merton: Mary, Window To Heaven

Published by gabrielle at 12:29 am under Blessed Virgin, Feastdays, Merton

“Nativitas est hodie sanctae Mariae Virginis (Today is the nativity of Saint Mary the Virgin: First antiphon for Vespers of the feast). We have just come from first Vespers of Our Lady’s birthday. I am full of those happy antiphons, and glad because of the feast and because of what it means, for through her we come to heaven. Coeli fenestra facta es. (Thou art become the window of heaven: from the hymn O gloriosa Domina). I am glad that in our Order we still enter heaven through the window. I believe that line of the hymn was reformed in the Roman liturgy so that the rest of the Church goes in more decorously through the door. But we Cistercians still get in by the window….

This afternoon I was content looking at the low green rampart of woods that divides us from the rest of the universe and listening to the deep silence: content not for the sake of the scene or the silence but because of God. And now I hear a car in the distance, a solitary car coming down the road. The sound of action reminds me that I must soon wash my neck and go and read Monsignor Sheen to the retreatants at their supper.

That is how everything stands, Mother of God, after the first Vespers of your Nativity in the year 1947. Dona nobis pacem (Give us peace). Keep us in your heart until next year and the year after and until we all die in peace, disposed in the four corners of America in new foundations, and myself perhaps you know where, alone with you and with God. His will is my cell. His love is my solitude. Dona nobis pacem.”

[Thomas Merton: The Sign of Jonas, pgs. 62-63, Sept. 7, 1947]

8 responses so far

8 Responses to “Monday Morning With Merton: Mary, Window To Heaven”

# Annon 08 Sep 2008 at 3:05 am

His will is my cell. His love is my solitude. Isn’t that so lovely to say about the Son Of God, Son of Mary – pleasing to her on her birthday, whose whole intention is to draw us to her heart and that of Jesus – through her we come to heaven.

I’m delighted to find this new look, Gabrielle.
It’s really lovely and the header is a perfect match for Contemplative Haven. I hope your computer problems are sorted, Gabrielle, as I know how frustrating it can be.
# Carolon 08 Sep 2008 at 8:20 am

Lovely — both Merton’s and the blog.
# Owenon 08 Sep 2008 at 11:33 am

“… I was content looking at the low green rampart of woods that divides us from the rest of the universe and listening to the deep silence…” Amen. O Lord, help me to set aside the distractions, the faults of others I am prone to take on as my own, on top of my own faults, and help me to have the will to make the space that is apart from the whole universe that in turn helps me to live in this world and be of some small good to it.
# Laureon 08 Sep 2008 at 12:47 pm

may we be content … looking and listening … because of God.
# gabrielleon 09 Sep 2008 at 1:18 pm

Ann, I just loved those lines too. If we are firmly established in His Will and His Love, we can be placed (or find ourselves) anywhere, can’t we, and still be at peace. A great challenge though, and perhaps too easy to say, when our circumstances are so much better than for so many people all over the world. I’m happy you like this template, Ann, and also happy that it’s working reasonably well. My home computer’s out of commission, though (I’m on my laptop) so family has to use my laptop until we get things straightened out. Thanks for asking!

Thanks, Carol. It’s rather ironic; Merton mentions reading Fulton Sheen in this post, and last night I accidently came across a FS video in which he mentions the same subject as Merton (Mary opening windows in heaven). Maybe I’ll post it.

Owen, we all need to find that space, don’t we, to be able to be in the world but not of it, and to find the reenergizing time so that we can come back and be of service. It’s good to know a group of people who understands our coming and going (because they need to do it themselves too.)

Laure, yes; and may this autumn bring you much contentment as you open yourself up to your new beginnings in study. I know there will be much “looking and listening”.
# Rae Staboszon 11 Sep 2008 at 3:34 pm

Beautiful. Thank you! I added your blog to my blogroll months ago and just now discovered you anew while checking out my links. Thank God for the contemplative bent. I will remember to return.

Rae
# Laureon 12 Sep 2008 at 12:46 am

Thank you, Gabrielle! Tonight was my first class and Saturday is my first retreat with my classmates. And so i begin

Laure
# gabrielleon 13 Sep 2008 at 11:18 pm

Rae, thank you very much. I’m sorry, I was not aware you had put me on your blogroll or I would have thanked you earlier. Sometimes I get notices of these things on my dashboard, but not very often, so I am usually in the dark about people who have linked to me, etc. I’m happy you enjoyed this Merton excerpt.

Laure, I hope everything has been absolutely inspiring so far! If envy weren’t a sin I’d…well, you know…