There was a monk.He was a small man.He prayed to God.Take away my passions ,and I will be a perfect monk.God has a great sense of humour,and gave him his request.That evening the monk was in great humour,and he told all the monks his success story.An old monk spoke to him,after tea,and said’’Go back to God quickly,and ask God, to give back your passions .The old monk said ,that a person only grows good,through struggle and temptation.The small monk went back to God --- God,was there as always ,waiting,listening,smiling.The monk said ‘’Lord,I don’t ask You to take away my passions,but please give me the strength to get through the battle.He prayed,in his heart,Lord I am grateful for the failures You have permitted me,because it has begun to dawn on me that I am nothing without You,and I am now slow to be judgemental on others for faults I have committed myself,or would like to commit.God be merciful to me a sinner is a heart prayer.May Gods Mercy be The Source of all our missionary endeavours.

Liam Hickey, St.Ciarans, Hartstown, Dublin 15.