God gives Himself to those who give themselves to Him. It does not matter much how, as long as it is the way that God has chosen for us. I find that I can get just as close to God by studying the dry problems of moral theology as by reading the most fiery pages of mysticism. Duty does not have to be dull. Love can make it beautiful and fill it with life. As long as we draw in the world of our spirit dividing lines between duty and pleasure, we will remain distant from God and His joy.
(Thomas Merton, journal entry from March 10, 1950)
