Hope knows that if great trials are avoided great deeds remain undone and the possibility of growth into greatness of soul is aborted.

I have been seized by the power of a great affection.

For several centuries, the Celtic church of Ireland was spared the Greek dualism of matter and spirit. They regarded the world with the clear vision of faith. When a young Celtic monk saw his cat catch a salmon swimming in shallow water, he cried, "The power of the Lord is in the paw of the cat!

May all your expectations be frustrated, may all your plans be thwarted, may all your desires be withered into nothingness, that you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child and sing and dance in the love of God who is the Father, Son and Spirit.

When a man or woman is truly honest, it is virtually impossible to insult them personally.

Accepting the reality of our sinfulness means accepting our authentic self. Judas could not face his shadow; Peter could. The latter befriended the impostor within; the former raged against him.

Only reckless confidence in a Source greater than ourselves can empower us to forgive the woulds inflicted by others.