Thomas Merton, Journals

When people ask me what is my favorite work by Thomas Merton, I always say "the journals." I say it because I mean it -- those are the truest and deepest Thomas Merton. I fully expect to have to defend that statement.

Many years ago when I was only just discovering the joy that can be had in reading, it rapidly became clear that some of the most interesting reading on the planet has got to be journals written by people who actually had things worth sharing. Think of our knowledge of the Fire of London had Samuel Pepys not written his famous Diary. He gave us invaluable information about history and culture.

A book of essays, stories, sermons, what have you...always has some type of ultimate point. It is about something. It is a through designed thought, from beginning to end, much like the floor plan of a house. It does not matter if you are talking about novels, plays, or temper tantrums!

Journals/diaries, are not like that. They come in day to day events, reflections, or thoughts about a book you are reading. The journal records the you of the day, as you are. Out of all those passing days and differing entries you begin to see the hand of God at work in your life. God's hand was at work in Merton's life, and can be discerned in the journals most vividly. Yes, his great books are magnificent, but they are not the only magnificent work that he did. Merton's life was his greatest gift. It was his life that allowed those books to be written, and because of that, when I read his journals, I more clearly understand my own life, and my own struggles.