Epilogue to The Seven Storey Mountain, by
Thomas Merton

He it is also that is born each instant in our hearts: for this unending birth, this everlasting beginning, without end, this everlasting, perfect newness of God begotten of Himself issuing from Himself without leaving Himself or altering His one-ness, this is the life that is in us.

If this sublime fire of infused love burns in your soul, it will inevitably send forth throughout the Church and the world an influence more tremendous than could be estimated by the radius reached by words or by example. Saint John of the Cross writes: “A very little of this pure love is more precious in the sight of God and of greater profit to the Church, even though the soul appear to be doing nothing, than are all other works put together.”

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Originally published in The Seven Storey Mountain, Harcourt Brace, 1948. Republished here with thanks AMGD.