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bearer of God's love, fulfillment, God is love, image of God, joy, meaning, mystery of God, peace, sanctuary, Thomas Merton, true identity, true self
“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.’” ~ Genesis 1:26
20th Century mystic, Thomas Merton, once wrote: “To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name. If, therefore, I do anything or think anything or say anything or know anything that is not purely for the love of God, it cannot give me peace, or rest, or fulfillment, or joy. To find love I must enter into the sanctuary where it is hidden, which is the mystery of God” (Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation, 60-61).
It is possible to fill our days with lots of new experiences, and imagine that in the midst of all our experiencing we are being fulfilled.
It is possible to fill our homes with belongings designed to satisfy our physical comforts, and suppose that these belongings will deliver the happiness promised.
It is possible to fill our calendars with a wide-ranging array of activities, and pretend that the sheer weight of busyness gives our lives meaning.
What if the reason for our existence is to more fully embrace the image of God within us?
What if our real life task is to live into our true identity as bearers of God’s love?
How would that perceptual shift alter the shape of your life?
dreamprayact 
I read a lot of Merton….amazing mystic….hoping to go to Gethsemani this year on retreat…the contemplative life is a beautiful ideal isn’t it?
Thanks for your comment. I enjoy Merton’s writing very much. I found this quote in a A Book of Hours, a collection of his writings arranged for daily reading and prayer. The contemplative life is a beautiful ideal, as you say, and not an easy one for anyone, I don’t think. I look for contemplative openings throughout the day when I can step beyond what I do and enjoy moments of silence and solitude and simply being. I’m sure when you go to Gethsemani you will be inspired to write about it!
Beautiful, thoughtful, and way hard.
That about says it, doesn’t it?
Thought-provoking post, Mark. Recently my pastor spoke about finding one’s glory, i.e., doing the thing in life that aligns our personality or passion with God’s character. I struggle with that thought as I don’t think of my secular “job” as having anything to do with God’s character. Your post provides perspective and I like your question, “What if the reason for our existence is to more fully embrace the image of God within us?” Your question frames the thought in such a way that makes embracing God’s image less dependent on what one does (job, title, family role, etc.) and more dependent on how one lives within their roles in life. And I like your comment that you “look for contemplative openings throughout the day when I can step beyond what I do and enjoy moments of silence and solitude and simply being.” Challenging concepts and much to ponder. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments. In my life, even in the midst of doing pastoral work, I experience the longing to be more than merely the accumulation of what I do or say, and to be recognized simply as the person that I am – a child of God seeking to live a life mindful of my Creator. I’ve always appreciated the statement of the second century Church Father, Irenaeus, who said, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive!”
This is a great thought…thanks for sharing it. And I appreciate the Irenaeus quote (with whom I was unfamiliar). Your blog is great–keep up the good work!
Thanks. I appreciate your encouragement.
Perhaps we shift into truth–that LOVE is all there is. If we lived this truth, one might say it is salvation. Beautiful input for one currently taking the Course in Miracles. Another one printed out for my contemplation each time I go to the refrigerator! Thanks, Padre
Thanks for reading, Dianne. Hello to Jim. Blessings to you in Oregon!
Great Thoughts Mark.thanks for posting Merton. I love your site already 🙂
Thanks, Cynthia.