“This sounds incongruous — yet it may be taken for granted that those who profess to follow Christianity and yet make of God a being malicious, revengeful, and of more evil attributes that they possess themselves — are as barbarous, as unenlightened, as hopelessly sunken in slavish ignorance as the l…”— Marie Corelli, amazon.com
“But I can't believe that God, who is so good, is going to everlastingly burn anybody. He couldn't, you know! It would hurt Him so much to see poor creatures writhing about in flames for ever — we would not be able to bear it, and I'm quite sure it would make Him miserable even in heaven. Because He…”— Marie Corelli, amazon.com
“I don't understand people who are so much afraid of the Lord. They must have done something wrong. If you always do your best, and try to be good, you needn't fear anything. At least, that's my opinion.”— Marie Corelli, amazon.com
“For God's justice, is as a circle that slowly surrounds an evil and as slowly closes in it with crushing and resistless force — and feverish, fretting humanity, however nobly inspired, can do nothing either to hasten or retard the round, perfect, absolute, and Divine Law.”— Marie Corelli, amazon.com
“This life is nothing but a short, painful dream. Thanks to His guidance, I have made it through this far.”— Haruki Murakami, amazon.com
“It's true, you do not have a father in this world, and you're going to meet all sorts of people who say stupid things to you about that. Unfortunately, the eyes of most people are clouded and unable to see the truth, Yoshiya, but Our Lord, your father, is the world itself. You are fortunate to live…”— Haruki Murakami, amazon.com
“Before asking God to use you, ask yourself what you're willing to sacrifice.”— Ebonee Davis, twitter.com
“Every day it becomes more & more apparent to me that I'm different. God has special plans for me.”— Ebonee Davis, twitter.com
“A belief in God can be equally as disempowering as a belief in the devil if you don't understand your role as co-creator of your reality. Recognize the innate power you hold within yourself. God is not coming out the sky to save you. God is working through you to save yourself.”— Ebonee Davis, twitter.com
“Sometimes you just have to sit still & trust that God is moving & a greater plan for your life is unfolding.”— Ebonee Davis, twitter.com
“You are not separate from God. That is an illusion of the ego. Nothing exists outside of you. You are a fragment of God, therefore you posses the power of the whole. You are a master of creation. So, what will you create?”— Ebonee Davis, twitter.com
“Gospel: Jesus reminds his followers that they will face opposition and persecution. So when you forgive someone others won't forgive, help a homeless person others ignore, or advocate for an LGBT person others reject, don't be surprised when people oppose you. In fact, rejoice.”— James Martin, SJ, twitter.com
“Gospel: 'My words will not pass away.' No matter what kind of evil is in the world, Jesus's words will endure. Don't despair when it seems like the Gospel is being trampled on, that the poor are forgotten, or that mercy is set aside. Christ is risen and his words are alive.”— James Martin, SJ, twitter.com
“Gospel: Jesus praises the Father for revealing things to 'little children' (νηπίοις). Why does Jesus ask us to be 'childlike'? The best attributes of children are a loving and patient trust in those who care for them, a joy over new things and an attitude of wonder. Be likewise.”— James Martin, SJ, twitter.com
“Gospel: Today four friends bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, who heals him. Sometimes when we feel stuck, we have to rely on our friends to carry us to God. For the Gospel says, 'When Jesus saw *their* faith,' that is, the faith of the friends. We never come to God alone.”— James Martin, SJ, twitter.com
“Gospel: How can Mary say 'yes' to the Angel's request to bear a child? One way: the Angel points to the example of Elizabeth. Mary would likely have known about her cousin's pregnancy. Thus, the Angel says, 'Look what God has already done. Trust in what God can do in the future.'”— James Martin, SJ, twitter.com
“Gospel: Jesus says that others are complaining about him: 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard!' As my NT professor once told us, people were critiquing Jesus for 'living it up.' Jesus was a joyful man who delighted in the company of other men and women. His way is about joy!”— James Martin, SJ, twitter.com
“But even if the Holy Family fleeing into Egypt did not meet the current definition of refugees (and they do), modern-day refugee families still deserve our care and protection, because each refugee possesses infinite dignity and worth. They are our sisters and brothers.”— James Martin, SJ, twitter.com