The Subtext: Is Social Media a Calling?

In 'The Summer Day,' Mary Oliver explores themes of the purpose of life, beauty, and nature. The poem begins with rhetorical questions about the creation of the world and its creatures, focusing on a grasshopper. The speaker describes her day spent observing the grasshopper and enjoying nature, highlighting the importance of paying attention and finding meaning in simple, natural experiences. The poem concludes with a provocative question about how to make the most of one's life, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the need to appreciate its beauty.

The Seven Storey Mountain is Thomas Merton's autobiography, written while he was a monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani. The book chronicles Merton's early life, his conversion to Roman Catholicism at age 23, and his decision to join the Trappist order at the age of 26. It is a unique spiritual autobiography that mirrors Dante's journey from hell through purgatory to paradise, reflecting Merton's transition from a worldly life to monastic life. The book has been highly influential and has touched millions of lives, translated into more than twenty languages and recognized as one of the most influential religious works of our time.

Markings is a journal of spiritual meditations, poems, and diary entries written by Dag Hammarskjöld from 1925 until his death in 1961. The book was discovered after his death and published posthumously. It includes reflections on his professional duties as a spiritual responsibility, his struggles with faith and action, and his continuous dialogue with God and other literary works. The entries range from short prose to haiku poems and provide a deep insight into Hammarskjöld's personal and spiritual journey. The book is highly regarded as a modern spiritual classic and has been translated into several languages.