Mercy is a work which springs from the goodness of God, and it will continue to work until sin is no longer allowed to trouble faithful souls. When sin no longer has licence to pursue, then the work of mercy will cease. Then shall every soul be gathered into goodness and rest there for ever. Under his watchfulness we fall; by his blessed love and strength and wisdom we are defended; and through mercy and through grace we are lifted up to many joys.  JULIAN OF NORWICHTHE REVELATIONS OF DIVINE LOVE, TRANSLATED BY SHEILA UPJOHN (DARTON, LONGMAN & TODD, 1980)We do not make enough of suffering, we do not rejoice in this coin that is given us to pay our debts and those of others. I should welcome my sick headaches, but usually I rebel, thinking how if I had been a bit more sensible I c