Facing Death

Thomas Merton

Never has man's helplessness in the face of death been more pitiable than in this life when he can do everything except escape death. If he were unable to escape so many other things, man would face death better.

But our power has only strengthened our illusion that we can cling to life without taking away our unconscious fear of death. We are always holding death at arm's length, unconsciously trying to think ourselves out of its presence. This generates an intolerable tension that makes us all the more quickly its victims. It is he who does not fear death who is more ready not to escape it, and, when the time comes, he faces it well.

(Quotation continued tomorrow)

A Year With Thomas Merton, November 9

[Lights still on! Nothing better than an annoyance averted!]