Jonathan Morris > Quotes

“Patience is a virtue,                     Possess it if you can,                     Seldom found in woman,                     Never found in man.”
― Jonathan Morris, The Way of Serenity: Finding Peace and Happiness in the Serenity Prayer

“One of life’s many paradoxes is that the more we focus on ourselves and our own well-being, to the neglect of our neighbor, the more unsettled and unhappy we become.”
― Jonathan Morris, The Way of Serenity: Finding Peace and Happiness in the Serenity Prayer

“Prayer consists in laying ourselves bare before him who already sees our soul’s nakedness in all of its sinfulness and goodness, and who then responds by helping us take off our blinders to see ourselves and others through his eyes.”
― Jonathan Morris, The Way of Serenity: Finding Peace and Happiness in the Serenity Prayer

“When you accept a position of responsibility, don’t be surprised by the troubles, problems, disappointments, and misunderstandings that go with it. Such trials are the penalties of leadership. Far from being disheartened by hardship, regard it as a badge of honor. It is usually the best possible proof that you are on the right track.”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“A mission to fulfill. Christ reminds us constantly that every person without exception has a mission to fulfill. That mission is to bring the light and warmth of His love to the world: “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“Lord, please grant me today a taste of your peace, a peace the world cannot give. Help me to embrace my past instead of wishing for another, and to look for your action today in the sacrament of the moment.”
― Jonathan Morris, The Way of Serenity: Finding Peace and Happiness in the Serenity Prayer

“Napoleon, in his lonely exile on St. Helena, had much time for thought. And some of his reflections were highly interesting. This one, for instance: Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I founded great empires. But upon what did the creation of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded his empire upon love, and to this very day millions would die for him. Forcing none, Christ taught in a new way, the only one throughout history whose whole school and whole plan were founded on love. The world had never before heard of this love. And even now, twenty centuries later, more than half the world is still ignorant of it. Often Jesus seems to lose, but in reality He always wins — and always by love. “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” John 13:34 O GOD, I WANT TO LOVE YOU AS YOU WOULD HAVE ME LOVE”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“The expression, “man with a mission,” appears occasionally in newspapers and magazine articles. It is a fit reference to a person who manages to keep his ideals high, his goal big, his vision clear, and who displays dogged determination in putting his convictions to work.”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“Each person is needed. Many people will quickly abandon the feeling that they do not count and will lead forceful, worthwhile lives once they realize how much their pinpoint of light is needed. With it, they can pierce the gloom and raise the standards of public and private life.”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“The word “pawn” is defined in Webster’s dictionary as “the chessman of least value … also, figuratively, an insignificant factor,” as “a pawn in the political game.” Even if you are not a chess player, you probably have heard people refer to themselves as helpless pawns which don’t count and can be pushed around without having anything to say about it. But too often this is the fault of the individuals themselves. They lead completely passive lives, willing to be nudged here and there by the opinions and pressures of others.”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“When he was conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Artur Rodzinski said: “In our orchestra we have many nationalities, types, and temperaments. We have learned to forget individual likes, dislikes, and differences of temperament for the sake of music to which we have dedicated our lives. I often wonder if we could not solve the world’s problems on a similar basis of harmony.” “Think what a single individual in a symphony orchestra can accomplish,” the famous maestro continued, “by giving up his individual traits and ambitions in the service of music…. Suppose that in life you had the same all-embracing love for the whole of mankind and for your neighbor in particular. Only when every one of us and every nation learns the secret of love for all mankind will the world become a great orchestra, following the beat of the Greatest Conductor of all.”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“World wars are only projections of the conflicts waged inside the souls of modern men, for nothing happens in the external world that has not first happened within a soul.”
― Jonathan Morris, The Way of Serenity: Finding Peace and Happiness in the Serenity Prayer

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all,”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers

“Two men were working on a cathedral. One, a skilled artisan, cut the stone needed in the construction of the great building. But his gloomy, grouchy attitude plainly showed that his work meant little more to him than providing him with a livelihood. The other man was just an unskilled laborer. His job was simply to carry the stones that the artisan prepared. But he went about his work with such zest and enthusiasm that a passerby asked him how he could be so happy doing such an ordinary task. “How can I be so happy?” he exclaimed. “Why, man, I’m building a cathedral.” Greatness of outlook and purpose can inspire anyone to reach beyond the narrow confines of a kitchen, factory, or office and contribute to the common good of all. God blesses bigness of vision. Those who truly strive, even in an insignificant way, to bring His love and truth to all men realize that they are truly trying to build a new world. “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15”
― Presented by Father Jonathan Morris, Light in the Darkness: The Teachings of Father James Keller, M.M., and The Christophers