Patristic Quote of the Day

Take from me the burden of my sins and grant me not that which my deeds merit, that I may not perish in the end, and that I may not be altogether deprived of thought and concern for my restoration. I fall down before Thy compassion; have mercy on me who am cast into the dust by Thy judgment of my deeds. O Master, summon me, a captive who is held and bound by his deeds as with chains, for Thou alone knowest how to free those who are bound and to heal the invisible sores that are known only to Thee who knowest all mysteries. - St. Ephrem the Syrian, *A Spiritual Psalter* #19