Thomas Merton led numerous conferences during his decade (1955-1965)
as novice master at the Cistercian Abbey of Gethsemani. In A Monastic
Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Patrick F. O'Connell presents one of
these, a wide-ranging introduction to biblical studies. Drawing on church
tradition, teaching of recent papal documents, and scholarly resources of the
time, Merton reveals the central importance of the Scriptures for the spiritual
growth of his listeners.



For Merton, at the
heart of any meaningful reading of the Scriptures, not only for monks but for
all Christians, is the invitation to respond not just intellectually but with
the whole self, to recognize the gospel as 'good news', as a saving, liberating,
consoling, challenging word, reflecting his fundamental belief that 'the Holy
Spirit enlightens us, in our reading, to see how our own lives are part of
these great mysteries - how we are one with Jesus in them'. O'Connell's
extensive introduction situates this reflection in the context of Merton's
evolving engagement with the Bible from his own days as a student monk through
the mature reflections from his final years on the biblical renewal in the wake
of the Second Vatican Council.