Midweek Musing- 1/15/2025

A street corner in Louisville, Kentucky, has an unusual historical marker. It’s a cast–metal sign with a little scrollwork at the top. The raised letters inscribed begin with big capital letters at the top which say: “A REVELATION,” and from there it goes on to commemorate a spiritual vision that occurred in that place.

The person who had the vision was Thomas Merton. Merton was a Trappist monk and mystic and also one of the best–selling spiritual writers of the 20th century.

Now when Merton entered the order, he was a graduate student in English at Columbia University. He surprised everyone he knew by announcing he had received a call from God to become a monk. So off he went to the Gethsemani Monastery of the Trappist order, just outside Louisville. It would be his home for the rest of his life.

Merton struggled at times keeping his vows. He had an intense interest in the world outside the monastery. He struggled to reconcile his contemplative life with what he could be doing outside the monastery and in society, working for causes he was passionate about: civil rights and nuclear disarmament. He wrote about these struggles in a number of bestselling books about the spiritual life.

But back to the sign and his vision. So, on March 18, 1958, while standing on a terribly busy street corner, watching the crowds of shoppers and office workers move past him on the sidewalk, Merton had what he could only describe later as a vision from God. Today this mystical vision is one of the most famous revelations we find in our 21st century history in terms of spirituality.

Here is how he describes it in his book, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander:

“In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness … I have the immense joy of being [human], a member of a race in which God became incarnate. As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, now I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.” (Thomas Merton, Spiritual Master: The Essential Writings, Paulist, 1992, 144–145)

Writer and spiritual traveler Lori Erickson describes the significance of this event for Merton in these words.

“This experience marked a turning point in Merton’s life, breaking down the barriers of monastic isolation to show that spiritual encounters can occur in the most mundane settings. It underscored his belief in the universal brotherhood of all people, transcending social, cultural, and religious divides. This vision also democratized the notion of mystical experience, affirming that the sacred can be found in secular, urban environments.

Following this revelation, Merton’s work began to reflect a theology of inclusivity and compassion, addressing broader issues like social justice, peace, and the nuclear threat. It has since become a cornerstone in discussions on Christian mysticism, inspiring a spirituality that embraces both contemplation and active engagement in the world.”

Now if you are like me perhaps you have wondered if God still speaks in the hustle and bustle of our everyday modern technology-rich and noisy lives.

Well, the story of Thomas Merton’s vision reminds us that God’s voice can break through even in the most mundane moments, even on a crowded street corner or at a desk or in the middle of a crazy day.

However, we will not be able to hear those words if we don’t prepare ourselves to hear them. But how do we train ourselves to listen for that still, small voice amid the noise of the world?

The story of Merton’s revelation provides profound insight which reminds us that hearing God in the ordinary moments of life requires the discipline of contemplation and the use of the gift of Sabbath.

It is not enough to simply "do" for God. We must also "be" with God. And the two are deeply interconnected.

Merton’s life as a monk was devoted to prayer and contemplation. Yet, his most transformative revelation came not within the walls of his monastery but on a bustling street corner in Kentucky. Surrounded by strangers going about their daily tasks, Merton had a profound realization of love and connection. He saw the image of God in everyone around him, describing them as "walking around shining like the sun."

His experience teaches us that God’s presence is not confined to sacred spaces. But to see and hear God in the world, we need moments of stillness and Sabbath. These practices attune our hearts to God’s voice so that even in the chaos, we can perceive God’s presence which the Bible describes at times as a still small voice or even a whisper.

Sabbath is not simply a down time; it is a holy pause, a time set apart to rest in God’s presence. In a world that celebrates constant productivity, Sabbath is a countercultural act of trust. It reminds us that we are not defined by what we do but by whose we are.

Sabbath is not an escape from the world but preparation for our return to it. When we rest and draw near to God, we are better equipped to see and serve God in the world. This rhythm of work and rest is woven into the fabric of creation itself in things like the seasons and even day and night. And when we follow this rhythm and take time for “holy pauses,” we begin to see others as beloved, connected by the love of the Creator.

Merton’s vision on Fourth and Walnut Street didn’t end with him feeling warm and fuzzy. It called him to a deeper understanding of his purpose—to love and serve others. Similarly, the practice of Sabbath and contemplation prepares us to live out God’s call in our daily lives.

Jesus himself modeled this rhythm of work and rest. In Mark 1:35, after a long day of healing and teaching, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to pray. Throughout the Gospels, we see this pattern: Jesus seeks solitude and prayer, then returns to the crowds to teach, heal, and serve.

When we embrace Sabbath and contemplation, we become more attuned to God’s voice and purpose for our lives. We begin to see the world through God’s eyes, recognizing the divine image in everyone we meet. This awareness leads us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to serve God in tangible ways.

This week I would encourage you to intentionally take opportunities to pause for moments of sabbath. That is, set aside time to rest and reflect on God’s presence in your life. Let it be a time of renewal and connection where you listen for God. In these still moments, ask God to open your ears to hear God’s voice in the ordinary moments of your day so that you might serve with joy. Remember our moments of rest and contemplation are meant to prepare us to serve others with love and joy.

Friends, just like Thomas Merton, we also are called to see and love the world as God does. But this vision begins with the discipline of Sabbath - the holy work of pausing, listening, and being renewed. Only then can we walk into the noisy streets of life, ready to hear God’s voice and share God’s love.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Alleluia. Amen.