The Lord waits for us to respond day by day to his holy counsels by our actions. In fact the days of this life are given us as a respite to correct our errors, as the Apostle Paul says: ‘Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?’ (Romans i..4). And in his loving-kindness the Lord says, ‘Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked … and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?’ (Ezekiel 18.i.3)

St. Benedict of Nursia