It doesn't really matter how much of the rules or the dogma we accepted and lived by if we're not really living by the fundamental creed of the Catholic Church, which is service to others and finding God in ourselves and then seeing God in everyone - including our enemies.
Interpretation
True adherence to faith is measured by our actions in service to others and recognizing the divine in all people, even our enemies.
In this quote, Martin Sheen emphasizes that following religious rules and dogmas is secondary to the core principle of the Catholic Church, which is to serve others and find God within ourselves. He suggests that the ultimate test of faith lies in how we treat others, including those we might consider adversaries, and in recognizing the divine presence in every individual.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a community service event to inspire volunteers.
Childhood hunger in America is as much a paradox as it is a tragedy. Why, in the wealthiest country in the world, should hunger darken the lives and dreams of 12 million children and their families? I believe that, when Americans learn the facts and understand how their involvement can make a difference, banishing childhood hunger will be a national, local and personal priority.
While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive.
I am still a journeyman actor and a peace and justice activist. I'm a pilgrim trying to win my freedom and serve as best I can in the time I have, with this gift I've been given.
When I reached adulthood, even now, I could afford to belong to a country club. But I could never belong to a private club because of my experience as a child, because it would isolate me from the whole of humanity.
Future generations are not going to ask us what political party were you in. They are going to ask what did you do about it, when you knew the glaciers were melting.
My recovery is the single greatest accomplishment of my life. Without that, the rest of my life would have fallen apart.
'Tis better to suffer wrong than do it.
Our chaotic, confused world has no greater need than to hear the message of good news - the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For the butterfly, mating and propagation involve the sacrifice of life, for the human being, the sacrifice of beauty.
The statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is being attacked, and every man will be glad of these conscience-soothing falsities
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people... it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
Color is not a human or a personal reality; it is a political reality.
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