A Butterfly pleases God by being a butterfly.

Paul is at times difficult to understand. Part of Thomas Merton’s genius was his ability to translate Paul into terms more understandable to twentieth century people. Thus, Merton speaks of the false self—the flesh—and this avoids all the dangers of confusing Pau’s fleshl with a Platonian hatred of the body. The false self is as the following indicates so clearly “hostility toward God and the things of God.” When we dwell in the power of the Spirit, we live from our true self which is concerned with “life and peace.” Here, eirene—peace in Greek—echoes shalom which is life, peace, wholeness and well-being. Our true self lives in and for “God Alone” which is inscribed over a portal at the Monastery of Gethsemane. The Spirit—capital “S”—dwelling in us brings us into our true self formed in the image of the God who creates us. I have re-translated part of Romans 8 using the false self and true self. Continue reading →