Daily Meditation for December 9, 2024

Centuries ago, the Pueblo Indians of the American Southwest shaped a life and culture that reflected their fundamental belief that all life—human, animal and natural life is interconnected. The distinctive design of their adobe dwellings formed from clay, sand and rock were made for families and community. The intricate designs of their pottery expressed religious beliefs and practices that grew from their deep reverence for the earth. Everything is a part of one great harmony. Thomas Merton, one of the great spiritual writers of the 20th century, wrote of what he called a “hidden wholeness.” Today, many of us feel deep fractures in our world. Wholeness and harmony seem far off. Perhaps we can learn from the Pueblo peoples. We can find ways to revive human kinship, create beauty that reflects the sacred earth, and deepen our faith that God is the “hidden wholeness” who holds all things together as one.

By Christian Morris, OSB