Tag Archives: Thomas Merton

Home Again

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Don Watkins

This afternoon I returned to Mount Irenaeus for the first time in over three months. It’s been the longest absence in the past twenty plus years of my life. It was Sunday March 8, 2020 when I last walked the … Continue reading →

Posted in Franciscan, Gratitude, prayer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

We are deeply flawed

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Don Watkins

We are deeply flawed and broken. Our racism and bigotry are on full display for the world to see. White folks who don’t want to wear masks storm state capitols with assault rifles and other paraphernalia. Yesterday police in riot … Continue reading →

Posted in Spiritual | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Blessings of Solitude

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Don Watkins

There’s a difference between loneliness and solitude. In this time of social distancing it is easy to become lonely and there are many folks who no doubt are starved for human contact. Fortunately I am not alone in this time. … Continue reading →

Posted in Franciscan, prayer, Spiritual, Thomas Merton | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The moral theology of evil

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Don Watkins

Earlier today I saw a clip where Franklin Graham attributed the coronavirus pandemic to the sinfulness of the world. According to him God is capricious and looks for ways to inflict pain and sadness on us. This reminded me of … Continue reading →

Posted in local | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

I do not see the road ahead

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Don Watkins

One of my favorite Thomas Merton quotes begins, “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me.” That’s certainly true now in this global pandemic. What should I be … Continue reading →

Posted in local, New York State | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Beautiful solitude

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Don Watkins

To deliver oneself up, to hand oneself over, entrust oneself completely to the silence of a wide landscape of woods and hills, or sea, or desert; to sit still while the sun comes up over that land and fills its … Continue reading →

Posted in local, prayer, Spiritual | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Where is it all going?

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Don Watkins

In the past two weeks I’ve found myself wondering where will this end? How much suffering will we have to endure. Many have endured too much already. Pope Francis has led two worldwide prayer times and so have countless others. … Continue reading →

Posted in New York State, prayer, Spiritual, Thomas Merton | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Franciscan in Blue Jeans

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Don Watkins

Just yesterday, my friend Br. Kevin showed me a flyer detailing an event occurring soon on the campus of St. Bonaventure University. Fr. Daniel Horan, OFM will be speaking at 4:30 pm on November 7, 2013 at the University Chapel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Franciscan, Spiritual, Thomas Merton | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Rain

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Don Watkins

It’s raining and every time it rains like this I think of Thomas Merton. It’s so peaceful when it rains. I feel protected and close to my creator. “I came up here from the monastery last night, sloshing through the … Continue reading →

Posted in Spiritual, Thomas Merton | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Great Bell

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Don Watkins

“Please help me. what am I going to do? I can’t go on like this. You can see that! Look at the state I am in. what ought I to do? Show me the way.” As if I needed more … Continue reading →

Posted in Spiritual, Thomas Merton | Tagged , | Leave a comment