Humor, the nickname of wisdom
Yves M.-J. Congar, O.P. 1956 On the Feast of Francis of Assisi
I can well imagine a religion in which there are no doctrines, so that nothing is spoken. Clearly then the essence of religion can have nothing to do with what is sayable.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Jesus said, “Recognize what is in your sight, and what is hidden will become clear to you.”
The Gospel of Thomas
Beyond a certain point there is no return. This point has to be reached.
Franz Kafka
We can never finely know. I simply believe that some part of the Self or Soul is not subject to the laws of space or time.
Carl Jung
Jesus said, “If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is inside you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.”
The Gospel of Thomas
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door shall be open to you.
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus said, “When you see one who was not born of a woman, bow down and worship him. That one is your Father.”
The Gospel of Thomas
Don’t judge and you will not be judged; don’t condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven.
Jesus of Nazareth
The kingdom of God does not come if you watch for it. Nor will anyone be able to say, “Here it is” or there it is.” For the kingdom of God is within you.
Jesus of Nazareth
Studying the sacred tradition should never be confused with practicing the sacred tradition, just as studying aesthetics should never be confused with being an artist.
T. P. Kasulis
And God looked at everything he had made, and behold, it was very good.
The Bible
Prayer is an act of love; words are not needed. Even if sickness distracts from thoughts, all that is needed is the will to love.
Saint Teresa of Avila
When you understand how to love one thing – then you also understand how to best love everything.
Novalis
Love your neighbor as yourself.
The Bible
Begin by believing these things, advance and persevere; and though I know thou wilt not arrive, I shall rejoice at thy advance. For he who devoutly follows in pursuit of the Infinite, thou he never comes up with it, will always advance by setting forth. Yet pry not into that secret, and mettle not into the mystery of the birth of the Infinite, nor presume to grasp that which is the summit of understanding, but understand there are things thou canst not grasp.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles, Book I
The broadest and most prevalent error, requires the most disinterested virtue to sustain it.
Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience
Unless you change your life and become like a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus of Nazareth
People say that what we are all seeking is a meaning for life. I do not think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on a purely physical plane will have resonances with our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.
Joseph Campbell
Moses said, “When I tell the people that the God of their fathers has sent me, they will ask his name. What shall I tell them?” And God said, “I am what I am. Tell them I AM sent you.”
The Bible
God’s grace is the beginning, middle, and end. When you pray for God’s grace, you are like someone standing neck deep in water, yet praying for water. It is like saying that someone neck deep in water feels thirsty, or that a fish feels thirsty, or that water feels thirsty.
Unknown
Lift up your heart to God with a meek stirring of love… and pierce the cloud of unknowing with darts of pure love.
The Cloud of Unknowing 14th century
Don’t be anxious about what you will eat or what you will wear. Isn’t your life more than food and your body more than clothing?
Jesus of Nazareth
Am I coming to grips?
Am I coming apart?
Am I listening to fear,
or to my heart?
Mike Scott
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have chosen their solitude, for they will find the kingdom of heaven.”
The Gospel of Thomas
Be still and know that I am God
The Bible
Do not pretend to know, what you do not know.
Plato
Many a man will live and die upon a dogma; no man will be a martyr for a conclusion.
Albert Camus
That is perfect. This is perfect. Perfect comes from perfect. Take perfect from perfect, the remainder is perfect. May peace and peace and peace be everywhere.
The Upanishads
Love your enemies, be good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
Jesus of Nazareth
You shall love the Unnamable with all your hears and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
The Bible
Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
Aesop
Mind pulls the universe out of a top hat, bows to its own applause, and walks off the stage, grinning.
Hung Po ( ? – 849ce)
Pure logic is the ruin of the spirit.
St. Exupery
God Loves the World!
God Loves Us!
God Loves You!
I Love You!
God Loves Me!
I Love Me!
Thanks Be To God!
Amen! Amen!
The Shouting Prayer
God has made everything beautiful in its time, and has put eternity in our hearts.
The Bible
