RANDY ELROD

Sensual | Curious | Communal | Free

Coming May 31, 2025

“The Purging Room”

“When In The Soul Of The Serene Disciple” by Thomas Merton

When in the soul of the serene disciple
With no more Fathers to imitate
Poverty is a success,
It is a small thing to say the roof is gone:
He has not even a house.

Stars, as well as friends,
Are angry with the noble ruin.
Saints depart in several directions.

Be still:
There is no longer any need of comment.
It was a lucky wind
That blew away his halo with his cares,
A lucky sea that drowned his reputation.

Here you will find
Neither a proverb nor a memorandum.
There are no ways,
No methods to admire
Where poverty is no achievement.
His God lives in his emptiness like an affliction.

What choice remains?
Well, to be ordinary is not a choice:
It is the usual freedom
Of men without visions.

2 responses to ““When In The Soul Of The Serene Disciple” by Thomas Merton”

  1. Jonathan Ford Avatar
    Jonathan Ford

    Oh my. True contentment, but at the cost of everything. It’s hard to even aspire to this in most any modern culture. So foreign and so expensive, yet exactly what Christ teaches. Every fiber of my being is both attracted to and simulateously replused by this concept.
    I can always count on Father Louis to leave me in a spiritual stupor. Thank you for sharing, Randy.

    1. randy Avatar
      randy

      Yes, yes indeed.Thanks, Jonathan.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *