An unexpected and heavenly visit to the Abbey of Gethsemani or, How Thomas Merton changed my life

Driving home from Nashville late one morning, the day still felt fully ahead of me. Crossing over into the rolling Kentucky hills on I-65, I found myself thinking about a visit I had wanted to make for years but had never seemed to find the time. Always rushing to my destination, my schedule and unrest had consistently derailed my good intention. Today would be different. Approaching the exit, I veered right and headed for the Abbey of Gethsemani, the home of the legendary modern contemplative writer, Thomas Merton. (https://monks.org/)

I first heard of Merton in high school. A close friend’s mother had been one of the nurses who cared for him during a long stay at a Louisville hospital. Her face always lit up when she spoke about him, and her stories were everything you’d hope to hear about the renowned writer.

Years later, after being medically discharged from the Marine Corps, I rediscovered Merton searching for to my pain, and direction for my life. I started with The Seven Storey Mountain, and by the time I had read everything I could find, his writings had changed me. I yearned to experience the vitality of faith he expressed in his books. I wanted to follow God and live in truth.

The Trappist monks at Gethsemani follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, leading a contemplative life of prayer and work. It was the home of Thomas Merton from 1941 until his death in 1968. He wrote the following in 1955, and as I reflected on it during my visit to the Abbey, I realized much more worse what he warned of had become:

“Half of the civilized world makes a living by telling a lie. Advertising, propaganda, and all the other forms of publicity that have taken the place of truth have taught men to take it for granted that they can tell other people whatever they like, provided it sounds plausible and evokes some kind of shallow emotional response.

…We would rather buy a bad toothpaste that is well advertised than a good one that is not advertised at all. Most Americans wouldn’t be seen dead in a car that their neighbors had never heard of.”

(https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/thomas-merton-quotes)

This has always struck me deeply, especially when I was navigating my own spiritual journey after leaving the Marine Corps. My first reaction then, and my feelings now, I don’t want to be one of those making a living by telling a lie.

But what did that mean? In my mind, it meant service. It meant doing something that created value for the world, whether anyone bought it or not. Eventually, it meant helping others face despair and overcome it, just as I had.

It is not an easy path. Our culture thrives on marketing, sales, celebrity, and shiny new objects. Just as Merton warned 70 years ago, this fixation has only grown with the rise of the internet and smartphones—far beyond what he could have ever imagined.

During my visit to the Abbey, I was humbled by a living example of what Merton believed to be the purpose of life. I walked into the Abbey’s church, where there was a section for laity to sit and participate in services without disturbing the monks. It was also a place to sit and pray at any time. As I entered, I noticed two women already there, sitting quietly. One, just ahead of me, seemed older and was obviously frail, She read from a prayer book. I sat and joined them in prayer, the stillness of the moment became serene.

After a few minutes, I got up and left to walk the grounds. The two women stayed, immersed in their prayers. About an hour later, I returned for one last prayer and view of the church. When I reentered, the woman who had been sitting ahead of me stood and walked to the back of the prayer area to grab a tissue.

That’s when I saw her crown of thorns. Her nose and the upper part of her mouth were gone. A large hole replaced the center of her face, revealing pink muscle and tendons. She returned to her seat. Thankfully, I don’t think she noticed my staring.

In that moment, she might as well have been an angel. Through her, I was given a glimpse of truth faith and the presence of God.