I’ve recently discovered a book by Dag Hammarskjold called Markings.  I’ve not read his work before but was so moved by Markings, that I look forward to reading other works by him.

Dag Hammarskjold was Secretary General of the United Nations from April 1953- Sept. 1961. Mr. Hammarskjold died in a plane crash while on a UN mission to Congo.

Markings is written in diary form, though the many entries have the appearance of an aphorism. The entry dates extend from 1925 to 1961.  The entries trace the development of his spiritual thought throughout this period of his life.  Dag Hammarskjold was not afraid to look deep inside himself (psyche, soul?) and ask tough questions.  The book shows his progression toward a deep spirituality.

I love the title.  The word markings evokes connotations of a touchstone.  Those places on our spiritual journey that mark great insights and revelations.  Dag Hammarskjold is sharing his own insights, written…

“God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, the source of which is beyond all reason.” –Dag Hammarskjold

Sometimes I use an online resource, the Mission of St. Clare, as my guide in praying the Daily Office. (As a rule I don’t think that expedience and efficiency are good criteria to bring to one’s prayer time, but when you’re having “one of those mornings” and then you finally get the kids out the door and have a moment to yourself and fully intend to settle down to prayer, only to have it hit you that you left your Prayer Book and Bible in the trunk of your husband’s car–long story, don’t ask–having a place to turn online is a wonderful thing!)

Anyway,…