Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Blaise PascalRead
Why God has instituted Prayer:— To communicate to his creatures the dignity of causation.
Interpretation
Prayer is a means for humans to understand their power in causing outcomes.
In this quote, Blaise Pascal speaks to the profound role of prayer in human existence, suggesting that it is not merely a ritual or formality, but a vital communication from God that conveys to individuals the significant power they have in influencing events and outcomes in their lives through their intentions and actions. It underscores the idea that humans are not passive observers but active participants in the divine plan, entrusted with the ability to affect change through their prayers.
In practice
In a sermon discussing the power of prayer in personal challenges, one could quote Pascal.
Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
If we submit everything to reason our religion will be left with nothing mysterious or supernatural. If we offend the principles of reason our religion will be absurd and ridiculous . . . There are two equally dangerous extremes: to exclude reason, to admit nothing but reason.
Those are weaklings who know the truth and uphold it as long as it suits their purpose, and then abandon it.
Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.
If he exalts himself, I humble him. If he humbles himself, I exalt him. And I go on contradicting him Until he understands That he is a monster that passes all understanding.
What use is it to us to hear it said of a man that he has thrown off the yoke that he does not believe there is a God to watch over his actions, that he reckons himself the sole master of his behavior, and that he does not intend to give an account of it to anyone but himself?
Sin has been pardoned at such a price that we cannot henceforth trifle with it.
You can't lead a true life without suffering
Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.
He had never missed God or the hope of heaven, but he had dearly wanted confession to rest his mind, Communion to let him touch something beyond Father Krone's dry, shaky hand, and holy water to taste like starlight.
I can't take my Catholic belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Protestant or a Jew or an Atheist. We have separation of church and state in the United States of America.
I know that you, ladies and gentlemen, have a philosophy, each and all of you, and that the most interesting and important thing about you is the way in which it determines the perspective in your several worlds.
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