I seek to speak to you, in some way, as your own self. Who can tell what this may meanI myself do not know, but if you listen, things will be said that are perhaps not written in this book. And this will be due not to me but to the One who lives and speaks in both.

Every other man is a piece of myself, for I am a part and a member of mankind.

God, have mercy on me in the blindness in which I hope I am seeking You!

May we all grow in grace and peace and not neglect the silence that is printed in the center of our being. It will not fail us.

We cannot achieve greatness unless we lose all interest in being great.

Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder.

Nevertheless, the liturgy of Ash Wednesday is not focussed on the sinfulness of the penitent but on the mercy of God. The question of sinfulness is raised precisely because this is a day of mercy, and the just do not need a savior.