Perhaps the Lord has called me and preserved me for this service not because I am particularly fit for it, or so that I can govern and rescue the Church from her present difficulties, but so that I can suffer something for the Church, and in that way it will be clear that he, and no other, is her guide and saviour
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes humility in leadership, suggesting that one may be chosen for service not for personal capability but for the purpose of guiding others through challenges.
Pope Paul VI reflects on the nature of his calling as a leader within the Church, acknowledging that his selection may not derive from his personal qualifications or strengths. Instead, he suggests that his role is to endure suffering and challenges for the benefit of the Church, thereby demonstrating that true guidance and salvation come from a higher power, emphasizing accountability to divine will rather than personal merit.
In practice
During a sermon, a pastor might quote this to illustrate the need for humility in service.
The important role of union organizations must be admitted: their object is the representation of the various categories of workers, their lawful collaboration in the economic advance of society, and the development of the sense of their responsibility for the realization of the common good.
We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.
There are those who ask what authority, what theological qualification, the Council intended to give to its teachings, knowing that it avoided issuing solemn dogmatic definitions backed by the Church's infallible teaching authority. The answer is known by those who remember the conciliar declaration of March 6, 1964, repeated on November 16, 1964. In view of the pastoral nature of the Council, it avoided proclaiming in an extraordinary manner any dogmata carrying the mark of infallibility.
This world in which we live needs beauty in order not to sink into despair. It is beauty, like truth, which brings joy to the heart of man and is that precious fruit which resists the year and tear of time, which unites generations and makes them share things in admiration.
All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.
The work of art, just like any fragment of human life considered in its deepest meaning, seems to me devoid of value if it does not offer the hardness, the rigidity, the regularity, the luster on every interior and exterior facet, of the crystal.
I’d rather interview 50 people and not hire anyone than hire the wrong person.
I think, at the end of the day, you do better when you tend toward being transparent, even though there's some risk.
I ignore polling as a method of government. I think that shows a certain weakness of mind - an inability to chart a course whichever way the wind blows, whichever way the media encourages the people to go, you follow. If you can't force or are unwilling to force your people to follow you, with or without threats, you are not a leader.
I think right now we need to look back at the founding values of our country. Rise above partisanship, be less bitter when it comes to important matters that have to be solved.
He who is firmly seated in authority soon learns to think security, and not progress, the highest lesson in statecraft.
If we're afraid to stand in our own skin with those we work with, then how do we lead those who have no voice at all?
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