Reading Thomas Merton this morning, he talks about (Catholic) Church renewal and the Pentecostal movement, two historic events I lived through in my 20’s. He was 53 when he wrote with a perspective that is more akin to mine at my age. The following passage comes from The Road to Joy, a selection of his letters. This one was a circular letter which means he wrote a letter to many at one time because his correspondence had gotten so out of hand. Another word for it is “epistle”.
“Things aren’t as hopeless as you might think. There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of on any of the philosophies currently in use. Nil illegi carbarundum which is hot dog Latin for Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”
I offer this to you today to apply anywhere you would like.