Patristic Quote of the Day

Woe is me, burdened with unprecedented sins! The number of my transgressions exceeds the number of grain of sand in the sea, and they afflict me like so many iron shackles, for I lack the boldness to gaze upon the heights of heaven. To whom shall I run, if not to Thee, O Lover of mankind? Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out mine iniquity. -- St. Ephraim the Syrian, *A Spiritual Psalter* #146