As our world shudders like a plane suddenly hitting a flock of geese, we badly need people who will learn that sense, and learn it quickly, not simply or even primarily for their own benefit but because our world, God's world, needs people at the helm in whom courage, good judgment, a cool head, and a proper care for people—and, if possible, faith, hope, and love as well—have become second nature.

All we hear is "What's the matter with the country?" "What's the matter with the world?" There ain't but one thing wrong with every one of us in the world, and that's selfishness.

The world is in great need. There is so much that needs to be done.

Don't let anybody make you think that God chose America as his divine, messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world.

I look upon the world as my parish.

Our generation has the ability and the responsibility to make our ever-more connected world a more hopeful, stable and peaceful place.

The person who believes the sum of his morality involves gay marriage and abortion alone, and neglects health care and world trade and the environment and loving his neighbor and feeding the poor is, by definition, a theological liberal, because he takes what he wants from Scripture and ignores the rest.

today's children are the first generation to grow up in a world that has the power to destroy itself.

The supreme reality of our time is the vulnerability of our planet.

Your menservants and maidservants shall come from the nations around you, from whom you may purchase them.

Someday war and poverty will be crazy and we will wonder how the world allowed such things to exist.

Once I know that all suffering is both our suffering and God's suffering, I can better endure and trust the desolations and disappointments that come my way. I can live with fewer comforts and conveniences when I see my part in global warming. I can speak with a soft and trusting voice in the public domain if doing so will help lessen human hatred and mistrust. I can stop circling the wagons around my own group, if doing so will help us recognize our common humanity.