I'm sorry that I have become so dull and slow-witted.

My soul is trying to awaken and rediscover the beauty of repentance. I am ashamed that I have confessed so many times with so little remorse and such a weak desire to be better. I want to say, again and again, that I regret it. I am sorry that I have been so foolish and dull, that I thought more of myself than of what I owe to your love – and I owe you everything.

(Thomas Merton /1915–1968/, diary entry from March 18, 1950)