A Faith Journey - There are no Maps

In his award-winning book, A Living Gospel, Robert Ellsberg, editor in chief of Orbis Books, reads God’s story in holy lives.  Of the faith journey he reminds us that, “Perhaps at the time we don’t even realize that it has begun.  Certainly we have no idea where it will end. Its entire character is defined by uncertainty, which calls for the exercise of trust, faith and hope.”  In the time of COVID the uncertainty is probably ramped up for all of us.

Below are the prayers of Thomas Merton & Henri Nouwen that give us an insight into their own journies.

Merton:

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Nouwen:

Dear God,

I don’t know where you are leading me

I don’t even know what my next day,

my next week or my next year will look like.

As I try to keep my hands open,

I trust that you will put your hand in mine

And bring me home.

Thank you God for your Love.

Thank you. Amen.