Bishop Barron on Thomas Merton, Spiritual Master

Thomas Merton was not perfect, and he might not have been a saint. But he was indeed a master of the spiritual life, and his life and work had a profound effect on me and an army of others around the world. Bishop Barron offers a tribute to him on the 100th anniversary of Merton's birth. Find more videos at WordOnFire.org.

[@jarniwoop]

I left the church decades ago, and studied Buddhism for years. I believe reading Thomas Merton's works led me back, as have Bishop Barron's videos and Sunday sermons. Many thanks.

[@larryleonard7098]

I am a 70 year old, retired Protestant pastor, who is seeking the greatest depths in spirituality that God will take me. In my search I have discovered Bishop Barron. In listening to the messages, talks, etc. I am drawn deeper and deeper into a brotherhood of Christianity that surpasses my denomination, personal bias of youth, and Protestantism itself. The journey is inexplicably joyful. Thank you, Bishop, for the strength of your content, but beyond all content of learning I appreciate your spirit. May God bless you richly.

[@JonRachRickRob]

Beautiful words, thank you for your thoughts.

[@janetouchedupoujol6344]

Fellow seeker. Definitely. There is definately a deeper journey. Praying

[@keepitminty1990]

My uncle is actually a monk down at the Abby of Gethsenami. Pray for them. They're going through some current hardships.

[@almagore1]

Ethan Coggeshall Thank you for that information. I will pray for them.

[@limrosemary8536]

what happened ?

[@Herberberber]

@GrilledCheezeSammich oh so edgy! Pathetic

[@sedumplant]

@GrilledCheezeSammich You are disgusting!

[@michaelbrickley2443]

Trials are the fires that purify the mettle of the saints

[@msdebra213]

Merton brought so many souls to Christ. He may have been flawed, like the rest of us miserable humans, but I have no doubt he is numbered amongst the saints.

[@Shevock]

Merton's contemplative insights still bear fruit, 53 years after his passing.

[@thachthuanhoa]

💜

[@philomenadennehy8585]

Thank you for this. I read thomas merton Unfortunately i was very harmed as A child. However i read thomas merton I believe in boarding school. At the time It took me until i was 60 before i could Contemplate christ again I have had great help from the church But today i depend on the church Through the internet Masses every day. Rosery My daughtar does not want to go To mass. My granson joseph loves Church.. he is autistic. I have a very good friend who i help Who goes to church. I am in contact With her. She is recovering from long Covid. Nearly died. She is slowly Recovering. Thank god

[@almagore1]

I am 77 y/o and a confirmed Catholic Christian. Dear Robert, thank you so much for this video. In my 20's I was in a Catholic contemplative group that heavily explored the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi. I read many of Thomas Merton's books at that time. I also e4xperienced what Thomas Merton experienced in France where he saw God in everything and shining through everything. This video of yours helps clarify many things for me. Thank you very much.

[@paulinewoods375]

I'm in the middle of trying to write a book review ( as part of a course that I'm doing). The book is "New Seeds of Contemplation" . To be honest, I am finding it pretty tough going, it's like double dutch to me, way over my head. 😂😂

[@kiutpi]

Yes! Thank you Bishop Barron 🙏 for talking about the importance of contemplation in the Catholic tradition.

[@datinchristievengadesan6636]

The seven storey mountain held a great fascination for me, engaged my thoughts and feelings as I read the story of Thomas Merton's conversion...great writing, it influenced me for many years. Immense love of God.

[@eeneemeenee6236]

Thank you Bishop, for a very level-minded and insightful sharing about Fr. Thomas Merton. - 24yr-old Catholic

[@gorhamcj1]

We all have sinned and struggled with sin. He was very human and yet very spiritual. I would think a great leader of the faith. I will read more about him. Thanks Bishop Barron.

[@Kwesi6486]

Thomas Merton thanks for being human and letting God do God's creative work in you. I hope to get to know you better through your work.

[@BernadetteGaughan]

Thomas Merton has helped me so much during the last 50 years of my life before and after becoming a Monastic myself Thanks

[@PopeEdward]

Thank you Bishop, beautiful, concise, honest and interesting video essay. I like Merton all the more now. I am so glad I watched this because I was unclear about his priesthood and monastic life. You did him great homage. I prayed for his soul and ask for his intercession in my prayer life. God bless you. Keep up the great work.

[@WilliamLetzkus]

Fr. Merton was a wonderful priest, and someone who wrote with the knowledge of direct experience of the spiritual life!!

[@keriford54]

Thank you, you inspired me to read the Seven Story Mountain, a wonderful book.

[@jerrytaylor8662]

Thank you Bishop ... lol ... 6 years later for this excellent insight into Thomas Merton .... I have read 7 Story and just now due to your advice I bought The Signs of Jonas ... pretty cheap on Kindle!!! We love you Bishop and thank God for you every day!! Jerry

[@Miriana727]

Thank you, Bishop Robert Barron. THE SEVEN STOREY MOUNTAIN was very important in my spiritual development as well. I think it is important to view the later Merton in a historical background. At that time, many were interested in Eastern Religions. Also, the Catholic Church was going through a "liberal" period which may have "confused" Merton in his relationship with the young nurse. But Merton was a great spiritual writer, and I am sure he was on the right path at the end of his life. RIP Thomas Merton.

[@ProBikersForLife]

Did not really know Thomas Merton until just now... Thank You Bishop Barron. WOW! Doing a Thanksgiving Pro bikers For Life post loved this quote... “To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything.” Very much St. Frances of Assisi... Being a Third Order Franciscan. "I want to use this quote but have know idea who Thomas Merton is. I've heard the name but?" This really made my Thanksgiving Day. God is good!!! Now the Detroit Lions most beat Green Bay Packers today!

[@anad7684]

Fr. B -- thank you for your honest commentary! Merton is an important Catholic figure who contributed greatly not just to the church but our society. Merton’s writings are relevant as ever, our country still continues to struggle with race, consumerism, social injustice and one's attempt at maintaining faith amid the topsy-turvy relativistic world.

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you father,,,,I love his work

[@Donna-cc1kt]

To love all - but none too much. He appears as a highly disciplined man.

[@catherinegiuliano8573]

The Seven Story Mountain is one of my favourite Catholic autobiographies. It had a huge influence on me and I really enjoyed this talk. Thank you so much 😊🙏🏻

[@moniquevamado]

There's no one like Thomas Merton. He understood life in a way few do. So grateful for his life, his honesty, his profound realness. He was a deeply courageous man, most likely killed for daring to speak out about Vietnam.

[@thachthuanhoa]

I am a Khmer living in Vietnam. Thomas Merton's Contemplations have had a profound impact on my life.

[@jerriharvey4641]

Thank you so much for honoring who he was…..♥️🙏♥️

[@victoriadriscoll3890]

Brilliant Bishop Barron, Thomas Merton a great priest and catholic writer. Amen 🙏🙏

[@GerardOHemmerle]

Thanks for your heartfelt clarity and tribute to one of my favorite spiritual writers. "le point vierge"!

[@pamsaparamadu5522]

Thanks for doing justice to this great person who opened a different path for us to get deeply connected to our creator who is universal. Ever loving God reveal to all his creatures with no boundaries and Thomas Merton had seen it in Buddhism, the basis of which is '' maithee' or universal love. He had been unfairly dealt with for being too open about it and being truthful of his feelings. In his writings he had stressed the centrality of Holy Eucharist in Christian life, so he had never misled anybody. By this posting you have done a Christian duty Fr. Barron. May God bless you!

[@MichaelPaul-TheVisitor]

Fr Louis was far more influential in my life that I realized...until later in life. Right now, I'm typing on an old desk of Nun "Lucy" that was given to me. Lucy and I never met, but she had heard of my interest in Merton, although I could never explain it myself. Since then, I've actually published a novelette that acknowledges the influence of TM. I still don't understand my interest/infatuation with Thomas Merton, but yet...here I am still learning. Thanks for this video.

[@hadamerryweather577]

New Seeds of Contemplatoon and No Man is an Island were the two Merton books that shifted my spirituality and anchored me in my Catholic Faith forever.

[@joekerr804]

Thank you for your perspective and comments, particularly about Merton's exploration of Zen and other Asian religions. They are a very helpful guide when exploring Merton and growing in my faith and understanding.

[@ponzianomanning3071]

If Thomas wasn't a saint, I think he most certainly must have been close. His profound love for God comes through in his many writings, which continue to impact people as much today as when he was a monk; catholics and non catholics. Its that deep, rich love for God that makes us saints.

[@1900trent]

fascinating insights into the man and monk Fr Louis....thanks bishop

[@weskobernick5419]

In a documentary on Merton's life, the Dalai Lama praises Merton as one of HIS great mentors...something like his second greatest influence. When I heard that, I was stunned. Such a beautiful sentiment that the Dalai Lama would hold Merton with such high regard.

[@markballantyne393]

Merton understood something most of us don't.

[@nelsonlaws5137]

Thanks. Facts must count. Thomas Merton was a good person. He did not do harm to humans.

[@MartinSmithMFM]

And incidentally, when in the amazing French chapter of the book he writes about 'the wood smoke of the Midi' we see that we have not just a spiritual, but a literary master on our hands...

[@sttommore]

Give it a few years. Not every Saint can be a St. John Paul II, canonized within a decade of their death. The notion of a monastic in these modern times has yet to bear fruit, but it surely will. Modern man has need of Fr. Merton's perspective; and modern Catholic men are desperate for it. No sin condemned any Saint, they sinned, but they overcame. Saints were flawed, I think we fail to keep that in perspective, but heroic faith is common to all of them. Merton's insights may yet prove heroic, even as this age progresses.

[@kevinroque5374]

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Let's just hope and pray that Merton will soon be under God's belt of saints. "There are saints in my church, but that just means that they are people who know that they are sinners." -G.K. Chesterton (Who is also a potential saint by the way, haha.)

[@jeffstumpf9129]

There are saints known, and saints unknown. Only God knows them all. Don't worry about it.

[@WordBearer86]

Saint Moses makes a good example of the this.

[@briandelaney9710]

Some don’t like him who are coming from a more “right wing “ perspective for lack of a better term

[@jgil1966]

Thank you! we tend to forget this.

[@nickowchar2001]

Merton did so much in pointing out the common ground among the world's faith traditions. If more Catholics and Protestants read him, and actually understood him, maybe they'd stop criticizing each other so damn much

[@DanielFernandez-jv7jx]

I believe that what Merton discovered within some forms of Buddhism were some profoundly developed forms of apophatic prayer, particularly in the meditation practices of Chan, Zen and the classical satipatthana practice of Theravada Buddhism.

[@rachealbrimberry8918]

I am slowly making my way through this book. The first part was easy to read, but I got bogged down in the middle of the book. It's getting a little better. I'm especially intrigued by his relationship with a Hindu monk who recommended that Merton read 2 books he liked, Confessions and Imitation of Christ.

[@phillipbrock9967]

Thank you for this. I have been re-reading my way through “The Seven Storey Mountain” and “No Man is an Island” during Lent. I love Father M. Louis just shy of idolatry. I am a devout member of the Anglican Communion, about which the good father had NOTHING good to say, but I love him nonetheless!

[@KerriBarkley]

Thank you for shining a light on the life of Thomas Merton. I'd been reticent to read his writings because there's a local organization bearing his name that does social justice work but strays well outside of the bounds of Catholic morality, causing me to assume that Fr. Merton would have sanctioned their actions. But now I'll definitely have to read Seven Storey Mountain.

[@tomaszzurek6078]

For a Catholic bishop you are a nice bloke... good to listen... ;) Thank you.

[@thegorn68]

Such an influence for so many. He left us too soon. Thanks for the great commentary Father.

[@spg77777]

Contemplation is not something one does... it is a gift that one receives by being disposed to receive it. It is a "cloud of unknowing." About the best you can do is suspect that something HAS been happening, but to be actually conscious OF its happening is not possible.

[@thekingslady1]

Exactly!

[@almagore1]

Dear Father Barron, thank you so much for this video. I am a Catholic who is 72 y/o and started reading Thomas Merton's books in the 1960's. He was extremely helpful to me. I became a contemplative monk in an unofficial Catholic group but that was associated with the Carmelite Monastery at Holy Hill Wisconsin. There was a Carmelite monk who was a liaison between the monks there and us. I lived full time with this group and practiced poverty, chastity, and obedience to my superior for 2 years. It was a difficult time but it was the best time of my life and I am extremely grateful to God for leading me to this group and having this experience in my life. As I'm sure you know but in case others are interested, Thomas Merton was Novice Master for at least a year and his talks to the young men who wanted to become Trappest monks were recorded and can be bought from Credence Cassettes and are not very expensive. If anyone has read Henri Nouwen; Nouwen said that Thomas Merton was the Spiritual Master of the 20th Century. I was not a saint either and certainly I am not a saint now but I also realized that Contemplative prayer and the experience of Contemplation is open to anyone. In fact it is the reason that God created us: To know God experientially and be known by Him; to love God and to be loved by Him. That is certainly at least one of the reasons if not the reason that when Jesus was asked what was the most important Commandment He quoted Deuteronomy 6:4,5 ,which says in the Hebrew, "Hear O Israel: "Yahweh our God, Yahweh is One. Thou shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Thank you again Father Barron.

[@elke4646]

Yes!!!!!!

[@TheWanderingtree]

Thank you, Father, for this meditation on Merton. I come back to the wise words of Lewis who said “How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors have been; how gloriously different are the saints," for I have fallen into this same trap of "dividing" the saints by refusing to read one or the other for my so-called "pure" reading of orthodox faith. This meditation jolts me out of that, to recognize the diverse streams into which God pours His knowledge and wisdom.

[@sedumplant]

"o No, Father, " and he said, "Are you in a state of grace? Because that is what it means, to be a saint." So in that sense, Merton certainly was a saint. Will he be elevated to Sainthood? Maybe not, but he was a saint. Thank you, Bishop, for this video.

[@missionariesOME33]

Thank you Bishop Barron, I always appreciate your input on different subjects. This one was helpful as well :).

[@MartinSmithMFM]

Bishop Barron, seeing 'Zen and the Birds of Appetite' on the shelf of an American translator in the Latin Quarter brought me back to the church... So it was cool to be Christian! That was in 1977. I am 60 now.

[@eamonbreathnach4613]

I always thought that a saint was someone who was fully alive and fully human as was Thomas Merton

[@MaryTodd-f5b]

I discovered Thomas Merton when I was in college in the 80's. I hated his writings at first but by October I was quoting him. I cherish all he has written. He was not perfect but he was so wise.

[@willettejackson979]

Very graced are we to enjoy the elite.

[@gusriley9785]

Bishop Barron, - Merton's dialogue with Zen & other spiritual traditions in my view went even deep, at least to myself. I had the privilege of getting to know Fr Bill SJ a little. So sad that Fr Johnston who was to meet Merton in Thailand (though they had met at Kentucky) didn't manage to, due to Merton's untimely death. RIP FR Bill & Thomas Merton - Peace, Gus

[@kennethfaught8754]

Excellent!

[@nicksibly526]

Reading it now. Loving it.

[@JulieMStaab]

Wonderful. I have only one T. Merton book ~ *No Man Is an Island* So I cannot speak to a lot of his work. It sounds to me like he could (and should) be a great bridge to walk over for anyone who has fell into modern trendy zen spirituality. Good to know his work can be helpful. As far his personal challenges, Priests/Monks are human. Working out our salvation is what we are all doing regardless. Religious, consecrated and ordained can take his story to heart.

[@Denis-tg6jw]

Julie M. Staab volume

[@locuyennguyen2538]

thank you father for sharing your thoughts on Thomas Merton, and more importantly to clear up about the affair and his interest in eastern religion. His writing changed my life too!

[@sterlingwalter6225]

A Judicious appraisal, thank you.

[@candiceazzara8877]

I appreciate your knowledge about Thomas Merton.

[@BipedalP314]

Thomas Merton is, in my opinion, the most relatable Catholic spiritual writer. I'm not sure if I could have transitioned into other Catholic writings if I hadn't first read The Seven Storey Mountain.

[@johnjumper7066]

I knew a priest who knew Merton. He described him as a man who used the church for his own purposes. He was a great writer, but desired fame. He ultimately said that while he was an interesting person at a distance he was a complex and unhappy person. He ultimately told me that he thought that Merton was an ass. I was shocked by what he told me about Merton. I sensed he was trying to get me to be interested in someone else rather Merton. He said Merton was about maintaining an image of a contemplative monk but how he spend the day was far from it. I just thought it was fascinating. This priest was a very old school traditionalist. He had many holy relics in his position. He never spoke ill of anyone except the one day he spoke to me about Merton.

[@elke4646]

Interesting. The priest that spoke to you like this sounded as if he had some bitterness about Merton. Did you know that recently Mother Teresa's diaries have been published and astonishingly, SHE revealed that she herself was an unhappy person who was depressed. Not that is anything to judge her on except that her public persona was much different than her inner life. In her diaries she spoke about her spiritual dryness, how she could never (at least for an 18 year stretch) could feel God's presence or love. Some would say that the fact that she went through such spiritual dryness yet kept the Faith is, in itself heroic. I think that could be true. Think of all of the goodness she inspired in others. My point obviously, is that Merton, being unhappy does not preclude his love and devotion to God. Arrogance pretty much always springs from unhappiness, don't you think?

[@vic38290]

With my very limited English I tried to read his Seven Storey Mountain when I was in my twenties. Yes I still remembered some of his spiritual journey to Catholicism but I know it was inadequate because of my linguistic limitations. But I know that he was an intelledtual giant.

[@TownsendHamilton]

Seeds of contemplation has affirmed so many spiritual realities in my soul . God bless Merton and the Holy Spirit .

[@marlenehartley7742]

Great explanation of contemplation. Thank you.

[@anneruthbarrett3224]

Love the Sign of Jonas!

[@mapaz555]

I understand perfectly why the interest for Buddhist and Zen. In my journey, God asked to pay attention first to meditation teachings, it’s easier to start, since Catholicism doesn’t know how to teach contemplation. For someone who isn’t a monk or a sister, just a regular Catholic girl. It’s easier to get a master in meditation to teach you how to go deep inside, it’s like taking an elevator into the nothingness very deep inside. It’s not easy to learn how to go in and stay in and look inside, search and call for Our Father with our heart and eyes. It’s an adventure that makes it more real than anything else in our worlds.

[@cherylmburton5577]

Thoughtful video.

[@bhuntfl]

I'm a LOT!! Older than Barron, but I too was introduced to Merton as a 15ish kid. I knew the nurse and Zen stories. I "frequented" the nearest monastery-- St. Joseph's Abby. Had I been a priest-- or brother( a vocation that never gets attention) , I would have been a Trappist. Why? I don't know.

[@partypete007]

thank you

[@Whocares792]

I have been listening to his lecture series on Marxism. Merton is one of the best teachers I have ever heard. His perspective catches much weight in today’s landscape. One day I’ll die and meet my family who has gotten up there before myself, and I shall be happy to see them, but Merton may be the first I seek out once I get up to heaven. His observations are practical as well as spiritual, a difficult synthesis in the 20th/21st century, in which he does with ease.

[@Ahoj4U]

Thank you for this. Very well stated. The only exception is that I don't think we can say he was probably not a saint. As you point out, he had crisis, but which saints haven't? Moreover, he came through his crisis. That in itself is saintly. But you are absolutely correct about his faithfulness to his vows and his order. In fact, he had his order's permission for his trip to Asia. It is highly unlikely he would have ever taken the journey without it.

[@exaudi33]

I found that comment jarring as well. I thought that a saint was a sinner who never stopped trying.

[@iktomi5]

Great piece enjoyed over lunch

[@chessgeek10707]

I guess I would credit you for taking up "The Seven Storey Mountain". A quote early in this autobiography moved me: "It is a law of man's nature, written into his very essence, and just as much a part of him as the desire to build houses and cultivate the land and marry and have children and read books and sing songs, that he should want to stand together with other men in order to acknowledge their common dependence on God, their Father and Creator. In fact, this desire is much more fundamental than any purely physical necessity" (page 15). In many of your videos, you say, "We are wired for God." I know now where you're coming from.

[@DawnLapka]

I felt that same way about Deacon Black Elk from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in SD. His writings are very poetic. I think of St Francis of Assissi when I read Black Elk's works.

[@Cvintes]

Could you make a video about Teilhard de Chardin? Please

[@thedisintegrador]

@Adrian Yanez Sigh. Teilhard de Chardin was one of the best ones out there to connect science and religion. To unify, like God unites. And you people try to separate...

[@MaGuFer]

@@thedisintegrador Any one, such as Teilhard, who follows Darwin, or agrees with him, or does not mention how false his (Darwin's) "proofs" were, is not really connecting science and religion.

[@1900trent]

Oh Teilhard! Now there’s a man who influenced me so much years ago. I found his writings so fascinsting and he seems to have been forgotten. But he was a great writer and priest, who coincidentally died on Easter Sunday.

[@denisniedringhaus236]

Excellent video! It has made me want to read more than just "The Seven Story Mountain".

[@sedumplant]

So glad to have seen this video. No one is perfect but as my theology professor told our class in freshman year of college, back in 1956 (!) __if we are in a state of grace, free from mortal sin, we ARE saints. So I have no doubt that Merton was and is as much a saint as others canonized by the Church. Maybe we can distinguish between those the Church has officially elevated to sainthood and those yet to be recognized in this special way but free from serious sin and yearning to be close to God?

[@angelastrong6192]

I include fr. louis in my daily prayers and ask for his intercession.

[@BrianSullivanopus125]

I would suggest Merton was a saint by virtue of facing up too and struggling with his near lapse into sin. I believe he became a greater example, and more sympathetic person as a result.

[@JimdalfTheOrange]

Fr. Barron, I'd love to hear your comments on Thomas a Kempis

[@hisxmark]

That "point of continual creation" is the hub of the wheel of life, the point where the fleeting temporal contacts the eternal uncreated. The closer the created ego orbits that point the more the ego tends to vanish into the all.

[@kathelapointe]

Teach Only Love

[@bobbymarcum772]

I hope I will never be arrogant enough to condemn a man who, being a celibate monk, is confined to a hospital bed and suffers the personal care of a lovely young woman, and manages to remain a celibate monk whilst being honest in his yielding to a non physical relationship with her, the woman with whom he involuntarily, at first anyway, shared his vulnerable and intimate situation with over an extended period. At least it was a woman, and not a man or even worse, a child or a man. To prevent others from benefitting from Merton through a criticism of his shortcomings in living up to doctrines one does not like, believe , or even understand is the utter height of hypocrisy and a very common hindrance to the spreading of the gospel. Flippant critics such as those, e.g. The new atheist types, must be judiciously crushed (metaphorically) for they do not take the subject seriously enough to merit our own seriousness.

[@kieranharrington1561]

I will pray for your uncle

[@fraserwilliamson9507]

I think the whole framing of his relationship with Margie as a 'crisis' betrays a certain Catholic negative obsession with sexuality and the physical. I have read other opinions on this which say he could not find love on any deep level, for himself or others, until he had experienced this real love of a woman. After the relationship he seemed to have relaxed into the love of 'self' and 'God'. Also the defensive anxiety about his deep love for other faiths is rediculous. What he 'moved past' was exactly this Christian exclusivism which says "they are quite interesting but not really as true and good as us". What he demonstrated was that to be as deeply Catholic as one could would eventually meet contemplatives of other faiths in a place where they recognised each other. For me this is essential or the idea that we "love one another as ourselves" is meaningless. In 'God' we ALL have our being or none at all.

[@pktrekgirl2]

Agree. Those who get all upset about him forging relationships with Buddhists and sharing information about the contemplative life with them really need to relax. This did not make him any less Catholic...but it did open up new avenues of contemplation for him. New perspectives to consider, new techniques to explore. As is stated, Thomas Merton was not perfect. He himself knew that and admitted as much. But that should not negate all the brilliant writing he left behind. When he entered the monastery he wanted to give up writing for a time, but was not allowed to do so by his superiors. This left him with one foot in the monastery and one foot in the world as a best-selling author...the equivalent of a rock star in those days. That could not have been an easy path to navigate, but he did the best he could, just like any of us do in our lives ever day.

[@eugenelcs]

Good comment Fraser. Your statement that "After the relationship he seemed to have relaxed into the love of 'self' and 'God'" is fantastic. I was touched as I have experienced this in my life was well. Thomas Merton led an interesting life. To say he is not a saint is unfounded. What I've observed is that a righteous person is Christ-like in that manner. And a forgiving person is Christ-like in this manner. All the rest are labels and badges.

[@MakalaDoulos]

GREAT opening story :D :D :D.

[@laurarivas6114]

Monseñor Barron tengo el libro "La montaña de los siete círculos" de Thomas Meryon desde que era una adolescente y la verdad es que lo comencé a leer varias veces pero "nunca" lo terminé así que ya me deja una buena tarea... Dios lo bendiga.

[@danielshannon8831]

Dear Bishop Barron, Thank you for your work at word on fire. Although you dont know me you have done a great deal for me. After ten years of absence from the church I am going back to mass now in part thanks you your efforts by the grace of God.Yet I would ask you this of you if i may, to decipher for me the prayer Thomas Merton wrote for his brother at the end of the seven story mountain. I long to have a deeper understanding of Catholicism. Thank you and may God continue to guide you.

[@josephpatrick4375]

Dear Bishop Barron: Is there a twelve-step program for people addicted to your videos? I can't seem to stop watching them. Thanks, Bishop! +Pax, Brother Joseph in California.

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Hi Fr. Barron. Thanks for helping save our souls/aka become saints (canonized preferred). All these are centered on the Eucharist and love of the poor (physically and spiritually poor), on the eucharist, when it's explained that God is sacramentally present in the eucharist, what does sacramentally mean exactly? Is the God physically present or is God spiritually present or both? Is sacramentally mean spiritual or physical or both (I think Dawkins asked something like this to a cardinal during their debate). Thank you. You're a future saint (pray we are too). I think you're right on hoping for all men be saved even though Jesus says wide is the road to hell but Mother Mary says if I remember in an approved apparition, that we should hope that all men be saved coz' I think salvation of all men is one thing that Jesus' willing to "change" (not that he made a mistake coz' he's beyond time) at the end of time, if we do what Mother Mary says God want us to do and repent and submitting to the Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart, following and not just listening as Lord, Lord. God bless. Rev. 21:4

[@almagore1]

To say that Jesus is "sacramentally" present is another way of saying that Jesus is both "really" present and "Spirituality" present. I became a Catholic when I was 27 y/o. I was a Protestant and had a friend who was a Priest. He asked me to go to Mass with him because he had been asked to give a guest homily. I was not going to go up to partake of the Blessed Sacrament because I didn't want to offend anyone. As the people were4 going up to partake of the Blessed Sacrament I felt a warm, caring Presence and these words came into my mind, "Would yo refuse me Al?" I became very afraid as I had never experienced anything like this before. Jesus had to repeat this question to me 3 times before I went up to partake the Blessed Sacrament that I then knew was really Jesus body and not just a symbol as most Protestants believe.

[@cherylmburton5577]

It's interesting that Bishop Barron also did one of these 10minute videos on Kerry Kennedy and the book she wrote titled "Growing up Catholic". The Bishop concluded that her book was a bunch of letters she had written, but he compared them to the writings of a Bhuddist Priest. (Mother Angelica wrote: As for the Bhuddists they pray to nothing.). In this video about Thomas Merton however, Bishop Barron describes Merton's study of Bhuddism as mature, and not affecting his position as a Catholic Priest. As a matter of fact he says that Merton's study was no different than the study of Aristotle by St Thomas Aquinas, and no one ever called him a heretic because he did it, the way they have called Thomas Merton a heretic for his study of Bhuddism. The Bishop concluded that he was certain that Merton maintained his Chastity, and as a Catholic Priest he said Mass everyday.

[@countrymonkOSB]

I think the problem with Merton is not necessarily his writings (I, too, was and am profoundly affected every time I read "The Seven Storey Mountain" and others of his works), but the influence he had on others in the Trappist order all over the world. So many used his writings as a springboard into movements and ways of thought that have definitely left orthodox, Catholic spirituality on a very shaky ground. A priest at St Joseph's Abbey in Mass. was recently ordained a Buddhist priest in the chapter room, an abbey in Holland has constructed a Zen Buddhist temple in their cloister, and far too many are affected by the Centering Prayer movement, which is too New Age for my taste. I felt called to the Trappist life after reading Merton, but the state of the Trappists (with very few exceptions) in the world is disastrous, to say the least.

[@leonardo75]

I'm reading his books with a lot of attention, yet I'm still committed to my Catholic Faith. I have grown on Charity and compassion for others, grew in prayer and strenghtened my relationship with God and became far less rigid (or maybe "more flexible"!) when it comes to dealing with work, family and friends issues. I found a positive result in me: I'm a happier person!

[@isaiahfootnote8534]

Can Holland become any more ridiculous?

[@isaiahfootnote8534]

4ropebottom , you have no idea what you are gibbering about.

[@4ropebottom]

Isaiah Footnote ...that’s a bit general. You don’t even know me, or my background. If you want this comment to be taken seriously, please offer a few points of disagreement about which we can dialogue? Otherwise, the response seems a bit childish.

[@isaiahfootnote8534]

4ropebottom, OMG, your entire post was a vague and pretentious generalisation. Open your mind and your heart? You arrogant twerp, as if the person you addressed this to need such as you to patronise them with such rubbish. God far too big to be contained by orthodoxy? Really? How would you know? Oh...your deity is too big. Oh...your ego projection is too big. Oh...therefore other understandings are necessarily wrong. No threat? Again, how would you know? Stepping through from the pathway of orthodoxy? really? Into what? fantasms of your own conjuring? Every element of your post wreaked with pretentiousness and condescension, and utter ignorance.

[@mwidunn]

03:40 - Hmm, . . . nope, something just sounds wrong here. I'd like for Bp. Barron to (perhaps) address the criticism of Merton directed at him by the Servant of God John Hardon, S. J.

[@BishopBarron]

What doesn't sound right?! I'm describing Merton's view of contemplative prayer, which is grounded in Thomas Aquinas's metaphysics of creation.

[@mwidunn]

05:45 - Very elucidating . . . not about Merton, but about Bp. Barron and what he is willing to overlook and even (to some extent) defend.

[@robertjarman4261]

Definitely.My esteem of the bishop has severely diminished!

[@mwidunn]

@@robertjarman4261 Watch the good Bishop fumble his way through enunciating Catholic teaching about homosexuality and "gay marriage": kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIvWq5SAYqmGfsU. Remember the scripture: "Put not your trust in princes, in men who cannot save!" (Ps. 146:3).

[@dawnelainebowie3943]

Seven Story is the first and least of his writings. I love the guy but Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander is my favorite. I read it over and over. Aquinas and Seven Story was his early stage spirituality. Conjectures is his mature spirituality. Bonaventure and Duns Scotus, contemporaries of Aquinas, made contemplation, belonging, and the given-ness of God, the parallel truths of both Christianity and Buddhism. What!? Common truths? Yes, Virginia. Happy Birthday Brother Louis!

[@diannerussell5591]

I read a little booklet on Thomas's life, he was a man who seeked. I like zen living too. I was captivated by him. I will look at some of his books. It's a little sad to have lost him so soon.

[@Mark-fv8vt]

I understand that the CBS Radio Mystery Theater narrator, Gordon Gould, has narrated 'The Seven Storey Mountain'. He has also voiced many of the H.P. Lovecraft short stories, as well as Heinlein's "I Will Fear No Evil'.

[@analopes471]

Would you do a video on Tolstoy views of God Father Barron?