"God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work
to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know
it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.... I am a link in a chain,
a bond of connexion between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall
do good, I shall do His work; I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth
in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and
serve Him in my calling.
Therefore I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever
I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve
Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow
may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of
some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain; He may
prolong my life, He may shorten it; He knows what He is about. He may take away
my friends, He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make
my spirits sink, hide the future from me --still He knows what He is about."
John Henry Newman, Meditations and Devotions
"A new, invisible and at times virtual, tyranny is established, one which unilaterally and irremediably imposes its own laws and rules. Moreover, indebtedness and credit distance countries from their real economy and citizens from their real buying power. Added to this, as if it were needed, is widespread corruption and selfish fiscal evasion which have taken on worldwide dimensions. The will to power and of possession has become limitless." Francis I, 16 May 2013