It is ironic that America, with its history of injustice to the poor, especially the black man and the Indian, prides itself on being a Christian nation.

Without concrete signs of divine presence in the lives of the poor, the gospel becomes simply an opiate; rather than liberating the powerless from humiliation and suffering, the gospel becomes a drug that helps them adjust to this world by looking for "pie in the sky.

To disrespect a person made in the image and likeness of God is a lot worse than desecrating a flag. We should be offended and repulsed in the same way when God's image bearers are desecrated — abused, beaten, neglected, discriminated against, and not loved and taken care of as they should be.

For if this commission is behind us in Christian work, remember, always we are sent out to be exceptional in ordinary things, among sometimes mean people, in frequently sordid surroundings. Only the man sent by the King of kings could take that, and only the man with a true burden will ever accept it.

It doesn't really matter to me how I make a difference, I just wanna make sure that I do.

To know one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

At the end of today's service, you'll have a chance to vote on whether I should remain as your pastor. Many of you are upset with me because I've chosen to defend a man of another faith who I believe is innocent. Many of you have already decided that he is guilty. But even if you want to assume that this man is guilty, does that mean I shouldn't represent him? Did Christ make you prove your innocence before he died for your sins?

It is easier to have faith that God will support each House of Hospitality and Farming Commune and supply our needs in the way of food and money to pay bills, than it is to keep a strong, hearty, living faith in each individual around us - to see Christ in him.

Men resemble the gods in nothing so much as in doing good to their fellow creatures.

What you do to these men on California's Death Row, you do to God.

So long as He lived among men, our Saviour shared the lot of the poor. He knew by experience their cares and hardships, and He could comfort and encourage all humble workers.

To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love is to open up a horizon of hope.