It is only the infinite mercy and love of God

 that has prevented us from tearing ourselves to pieces

 and destroying His entire creation long ago.

 People seem to think that it is in some way a proof

 that no merciful God exists, if we have so many wars.

 On the contrary,

 consider how in spite of centuries of sin and greed 

and lust and cruelty and hatred

 and avarice and oppression and injustice, 

spawned and bred by the free wills of men,

 the human race can still recover, each time,

 and can still produce men and women 

who overcome evil with good, 

hatred with love, 

greed with charity, 

lust and cruelty with sanctity.

 

~Thomas Merton,  The Seven Storey Mountain

Nouwen: My calling

The more I think

about the human suffering in our world

and my desire to offer a healing response,

the more I realize how crucial it is

not to allow myself to become paralyzed

by feelings of impotence and guilt.

More important than ever is to be very faithful

to my vocation to do well

the few things I am called to do

and hold on to the joy and peace they bring me.

I must resist the temptation

to let forces of darkness

pull me into despair

and make me one more of their many victims.

I have to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus

and on those who followed him

and trust that I will know how

to live out my mission to be a sign of hope in the world.

~Henri Nouwen