“The word if is the entry to privation, not abundance. . . When we perceive that abundance is no longer driven by scarcity, fear, and if and when we know ourselves loved, we become lovable. Becoming lovable, we do not fear recognizing in public the power of one who walked for us in deep dark places. Not being self-important about being counted among the transgressors, we find that we can be saved.”
James Alison, Roman Catholic theologian, priest, and author, from “Reflections on the Lectionary” in Christian Century magazine