Markings 21

If each note of music were to say:

one note does not make a symphony,

there would be no symphony.

If each word were to say: one word does not make a book,

there would be no book.

If each brick were to say: one brick does not make a wall,

there would be no house.

If each drop of water were to say: one drop does not make an ocean,

there would be no ocean.

If each seed were to say: one grain does not make a field of corn,

there would be no harvest.

If each one of us were to say: one act of love cannot save mankind,

there would never be justice and peace on earth.

The symphony needs each note.

The book needs each word.

The house needs each brick.

The ocean needs each drop of water.

The harvest needs each grain of wheat.

The whole of humanity needs you

as and where you are.

You are unique.

No one can take your place.

Michel Quoist 1921 - 1997

Michel Quoist, was a French Catholic priest, theologian and writer, most known for his bestselling book, Prayers of Life, first published in French in 1954. He was born in Le Havre, his working-class Catholic family was also involved with Jeunesse Ouvrière Chrétienne. However, his father had died when he was 14. Therefore Michel began to work. He sought meaning of life and entered the seminary at St Jean in 1938.Thereafter he went to seminary of Rouen in 1942, and finally he was ordained as priest in July 1947 at the abbey at St Oeun. In 1947 he became a priest. His work as a youth chaplain for the town and a writer was focused on young people.

©Jeff Guess 2017