In his position, others might have begun to hate the world. Instead, Thomas Merton found he could not leave it alone.

A new introduction could plant seeds in children that will perhaps flower later in life.

His horror at the mere existence of nuclear arms brought Merton to reflect on Christ’s promise of peace.

A monk’s vocation is toward God, not a strategic retreat from something else.

Francis has reminded us time and time again that we cannot withdraw into our protective cocoons and ignore what is going on around us.