There are three kinds of patriots, two bad, one good. The bad ones are the uncritical lovers and the loveless critics. Good patriots carry on a lover’s quarrel with their country, a reflection of God’s lover’s quarrel with all the world.
It is not because we have value that we are loved, but because we are loved that we have value. Our value is a gift, not an achievement.
Compassion and justice are companions, not choices.
It is one thing to say with the prophet Amos, “Let justice roll down like mighty waters,” and quite another to work out the irrigation system.
People who fear disorder more than injustice will only produce more of both.
In reality, there are no biblical literalists, only selective literalists. By abolishing slavery and ordaining women, millions of Protestants have gone far beyond biblical literalism. It’s time we did the same for homophobia.
The woman most in need of liberation is the woman in every man and the man in every woman.
Without love, violence will change the world; it will change it into a more violent one.
It is a mistake to look to the Bible to close a discussion; the Bible seeks to open one.
I’m not OK, you’re not OK-and that’s OK.
Truth is always in danger of being sacrificed on the altars of good taste and social stability.
It is often said that the Church is a crutch. Of course it’s a crutch. What makes you think you don’t limp?
Love measures our stature: the more we love, the bigger we are.
What is faith? Faith is being grasped by the power of love.
Isn’t that what growing up is all about – learning to outlast despair?
Charity is only a waystation on the road to justice.
All of life is the exercise of risk.
It’s so much easier to beat your breast than to stick your neck out.
I’m delighted that the future is unsure. That’s the way it should be.
When a man is drowning, it may be better for him to try to swim than to thrash around waiting for divine intervention.
Love is in the giver, not the gift.