The Center for Interfaith Relations is sharing works of wisdom, insight and inspiration. Our hope is that these written words will spur meaningful reflection and serve as a beacon of hope amid challenging times.

Thomas Merton Diary Entry for Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948

From The Intimate Merton: His Life From His Journals, edited by Patrick Hart and Jonathan Montaldo (1999)

All the apple trees came out in blossom Good Friday. It rained and got colder, but today is very bright with a pure sky. The willow is full of green. Things are all in bud.

And in my heart, the deepest peace, Christ’s clarity, lucid and quiet and ever-present as eternity. On these big feasts you come out on top of a plateau in the spiritual life to get a new view of everything. Especially Easter. Easter is like what it will be entering eternity when you suddenly, peacefully, clearly recognize all your mistakes as well as all that you did well: everything falls into place.