It is probable that in most of us the spiritual life is impoverished and stunted because we give so little place to gratitude. It is more important to thank God for blessings received than to pray for them beforehand. For that forward-looking prayer, though right as an expression of dependence upon God, is still self-centered in part, at least, of its interest; there is something we hope to gain by our prayer. But the backward-looking act of thanksgiving is quite free from this. In itself it is quite selfless. Thus it is akin to love. All our love to God is in response to his love for us; it never starts on our side. "We love, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
— William Temple (1881–1944), Erzbischof
Related Bible passage: 1JH.4.19
Topics: Joy & Gratitude, Prayer & Silence, Love
Occasions: For Reflection
William Temple
William Temple (1881–1944) war ein englischer Theologe und Erzbischof von Canterbury in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts. Er verband eine inkarnatorische Theologie mit christlichem Sozialismus, setzte sich für die Entstehung des britischen Sozialstaats sowie die Ökumene ein und stieß mit seiner Einmischung in wirtschaftspolitische Debatten auf konservative Kritik. Bibellesern ist er bis heute vor allem durch seine Auslegungen des Johannesevangeliums und seine Schriften zur gesellschaftlichen Verantwortung der Kirche bekannt.
All quotes by William Temple (23)
When you see a child, you catch God in the act.
Martin Luther
Gertrud von le Fort
Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. It's only that.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Paul Gerhardt
Augustine of Hippo
For all that has been - Thanks. For all that will be - Yes.
Dag Hammarskjöld
The world is more than its burden, and life is more than the sum of its gray days.
Alfred Delp
Frederick Buechner