A Monastic Introduction to Sacred Scripture: Novitiate Conferences on Scripture and Liturgy 1

Among the numerous sets of conferences that Thomas Merton presented to young prospective monks during his decade (1955-1965) as novice master at the Cistercian Abbey of Gethsemani is a wide-ranging introduction to biblical studies made available for the first time in the present volume. Drawing on church tradition teaching of recent papal documents and scholarly resources of the time he reveals the central importance of the Scriptures for the spiritual growth of his listeners. The extensive introduction situates material of these conferences in the context of Mertons 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. 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.