“Suffering and diminishment are not the greatest of evils, but are normal ingredients in life, especially in old age.  They are to be accepted as elements of a full human existence . . . As I become increasingly paralyzed and unable to speak, I can identify with the  many paralytics and mute persons in the Gospel . .  If the Lord now calls me to a period of weakness, I know well that his power can be made perfect in infirmity.  “Blessed be the name of the Lord!'” (Avery Dulles, S.J., 39th McGinley Lecture, April 1, 2008.)