The Following Blog still has a message for today’s world.

Some years ago, Thomas Merton, a Trappist Monk, shared this insight:

“The pleasure of a good act is something to be remembered, not to feed our complacency but to remind us that virtuous actions are not only possible and valuable, but they can become easier, more delightful and more forceful than any acts of vice which often frustrates them.”

Thomas Merton’s words came alive recently in the precarious lives of eleven young Thai soccer players and their coach perilously stranded in a cave flooded with water.  Amazed and delighted we watched fellow Thais and strangers from other countries respond and work together to devise ways to save these frightened boys.

No one noticed nationality, race, gender, culture or religion. They only saw eleven young, terrified boys, alone in a dark cave, far from the warmth, safety, and love of their families. These international Good Samaritans had only one desire: rescue those trapped from this dangerous place and bring them safely home to the arms of their loved ones. It is a tender-hearted purpose we can all understand.

Without counting the cost to themselves, they were willing to try whatever they needed to do to free these trapped boys. “The pleasure of a good act is something to be remembered …to remind us that virtuous actions are not only possible and valuable …but are more forceful than any acts of vice…”

Merton’s words are so true. What happened in Thailand these past few days are profound lessons for all.  Jesus describes his situation as “loving God and loving your neighbor.”  He later adds, when we do, we show our love for him. In Second Corinthians Saint Paul attributes it all to Jesus: “My grace is sufficient for you for power is made perfect in weakness. (12:9) When we put all these words together the rescue of these boys shows how we are to love God, but even more, to love and help our neighbor.

Christ promises us to fill in our weakness with his strength. But how he does this, he never reveals.  We see in that flood drenched cave how!  Christ’s strength arises from the gifts and talents of the rescue workers who are sharing their skills to rescue these distressed boys.

Where did these divers get their talents and gifts if not from God their creator? He gives us gifts for moments like these.  It is then the Holy Spirit prompts those who have the needed gifts to risk, to reach out, and to help.   It’s all in the plan of God.

This is why Jesus asks each of us not to hoard our treasures in a barn but store them in heaven. We store them in heaven, when we share them right here and now with those who are helpless like trapped soccer players or anyone near us.  When we share, our gifts are stored in heaven and they are repaid “a hundredfold.” And the promised strength of Christ is filling in the weakness where needed.  Whether in the tenuous life situation of those anxious soccer players or the neighbors we helped.

God does have a plan.  God either will fix the situation or send in others using their gifts and talents. It is wonderful when it ends happily as in the case of the young rescued soccer players.  Yet what truly matters more is that we jumped in and used our gifts where needed. For Jesus, sharing our gifts and talents is the successful ending he seeks.

When we help someone in need, we build the God’s kingdom here on earth like the happy reunited Thai families. And as Merton says this goodness reminds the world … “that virtuous actions are not only possible and valuable …but are more forceful than any acts of vice…”  With Jesus smiling gratefully for our assistance.