A nation can be considered great when it defends liberty as Lincoln did, when it fosters a culture which enables people to “dream” of full rights for all their brothers and sisters, as Martin Luther King sought to do; when it strives for justice and the cause of the oppressed, as Dorothy Day did by her tireless work, the fruit of a faith which becomes dialogue and sows peace in the contemplative style of Thomas Merton.
——Pope Francis Address to Congress
I am sure that the address of Pope Francis was viewed by millions of people, as well as witnessed by a joint session of the US Congress. In it he affirmed four Americans of great note. Among them was Thomas Merton whom he identified as a contemplative. Such an affirmation will cause people to be curious about contemplative life. Praise God for this man and his willingness to share his bold beliefs with the world. We contemplatives are now part of the mainstream media.
THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’
A Pastor's Thoughts 
Irvin, that was a quick post and good quote. Phil
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I have been talking about Contemplative living for a few years and am delighted to get such a boost.