Lenten reading for the holy

I don't really admire Thomas Merton for various reasons, but he's big among the pious left and with contemplatives who don't like to get their hands dirty.
So if you like his stuff, you can download some of his books at HathiTrust Digital Library.

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and then you have the Anchoress has an essay asking "Are you happy"...

yes, poor dear, she is so loving, but I'm in a cynical mood and can only say: Want to be happy? Go take your prozac, or get some meth from the local pusher

Of course, being joyful, or hopeful, or content something completely different.

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With all this fake religiosity, let's rely on the sci fi writer, Ender's Uncle Orson to find a poem that snaps me out of my mood against the pious petes

God, make me brave for life,

Oh, braver than this!

Let me straighten after pain

As a tree straightens after the rain,

Shining and lovely again.

God, make me brave for life,

Much braver than this!

As the blown grass lifts let me rise

From sorrow with quiet eyes,

Knowing thy way is wise.

God, make me brave. Life brings

Such blinding things.

Help me to keep my sight,

Help me to see aright,

That out of the dark comes light.

now go to his post and read all why he likes this poem, and check out the modern poetry website he is now editing.