We do not live for ourselves

I’ve often heard this especially from Fr. Dan Riley at Mt. Irenaeus, but today this gentle reminder came in the mail from the Merton Institute.

To live for oneself alone is to die. We grow and flourish in our own lives in so far as we live for others and through others. What we ourselves lack, God has given them. They must complete us where we are deficient. Hence we must always remain open to one another so that we can always share with each other.–Seasons of Celebration: 229–Thomas Merton.

One Reply to “We do not live for ourselves”

  1. Thanks for making me think of Dan Riley this morning, Don. I remember his preaching and good example.

    “Self=trap” I once had on a post-it note stuck on the inside of my door.

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