The Sacred Touchstone for today is from Thomas Merton, A Book of Hours, compiled by Kathleen Deignan, published by Sorin books. .

God touches us with a touch that is emptiness and empties us. He moves us with a simplicity that simplifies us. All variety,
all complexity, all paradox, all multiplicity cease. Our mind swims in the air of an understanding, a reality that is dark and
serene and includes in itself everything. Nothing more is desired. Nothing more is wanting. Our only sorrow, if sorrow be
possible at all, is the awareness that we ourselves still live outside of God.