I have waged this war against myself for many years.

It was terrible.

But now I am disarmed.

I am no longer frightened of anything

because love banishes fear.

I am disarmed of the need to be right

and to justify myself by disqualifying others.

I am no longer on the defensive,

holding onto my riches.

I just want to welcome and to share.

I don't hold on to my ideas and projects.

If someone shows me something better —

No, I shouldn't say better but good —

I accept them without any regrets.

I no longer seek to compare.

What is good, true and real is always for me the best.

That is why I have no fear.

When we are disarmed and dispossessed of self,

if we open our hearts to the God-Man

who makes all things new,

then He takes away past hurts

and reveals a new world

where everything is possible.

by Athenagoras of Constantinople translated from French by Jean Vanier