You wish me to tell you why and how God should be loved. My answer is that God himself is the reason he is to be loved.
Saint BernardRead
Even the holy men who lived before the coming of Christ understood that God had in mind plans of peace for the human race.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes that even before Christianity, respected spiritual figures recognized God's intentions for humanity's well-being.
Saint Bernard suggests that throughout history, wise and holy individuals, regardless of their cultural or religious background, had an inherent understanding that divine intentions were centered around peace and harmony for humanity. This acknowledgment highlights a universal belief in a benevolent higher power guiding humanity towards a better future, transcending time and religious boundaries.
In practice
During a speech about interfaith dialogue, one might reference this quote to highlight shared understandings of peace.
You wish me to tell you why and how God should be loved. My answer is that God himself is the reason he is to be loved.
God removes the sin of the one who makes humble confession, and thereby the devil loses the sovereignty he had gained over the human heart.
Who is there that can adequately gauge the greatness of the humility, gentleness, self-surrender, revealed by the Lord of majesty in assuming human nature, in accepting the punishment of death, the shame of the cross?
Christian, learn from Christ how you ought to love Christ. Learn a love that is tender, wise, strong; love with tenderness, not passion, wisdom, not foolishness, and strength, lest you become weary and turn away from the love of the Lord.
There is a daily discussion with our servants about the price of food and the number of loaves: a conference with our presbyters to consider the sins of our people is a very rare occurrence.
The mind must first reflect upon itself in order that it may frame a rule of Justice, and not be inclined to do to another what it would not have done to itself, nor refuse to another what it desires for itself. These two assuredly comprise the whole sphere of Justice.
How can I keep my soul in me, so that it doesn't touch your soul? How can I raise it high enough, past you, to other things?
This liberty is all that I request.
It is often said that definitions of Islamic government are imprecise. To me, however, they seemed to have a clarity that was completely familiar and also, it must be said, far from reassuring.
Everything you have is to give. Thou art a phenomenon of philosophy and an unfortunate man.
Eternity looks grander and kinder if time grow meaner and more hostile.
There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval. The dark background which death supplies brings out the tender colours of life in all their purity.
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