Some wisdom from Thornton Wilder

From his play The Angel That Troubled the Waters. An angel who kneels by the side of a pool, which will provide healing when the waters are stirred by the angel, addresses a physician, who is himself in need of healing.

Angel says, "Draw back, physician, this moment is not for you."

The physician asks him, "Must I drag my shame... all my days more bowed than my neighbor?"

The angel replies, "Without your wound, where would your power be? It is your very remorse that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living. In love's service only the wounded soldiers may serve. Draw back."

This MS, that bows us more than our neighbors... is it not then a gift not just to us, but to others?

It just might be...