Forgiveness is the reason for the crucifixion, and the crucifixion is the reason for the Incarnation.

Christ transforms the meaning and value of suffering from something to be feared or at best endured into something redemptive [and transformative].

Scripture starts with the particular and then universalizes it. You are called to love your concrete individual neighbor and then to realize that every individual is your neighbor. The point is not to destroy concrete neighborhood in a fit of universalism but to expand the local neighborhood and embrace the universal neighborhood.

The self is like a baseball. Throw it back to the divine pitcher who pitched it to you in the first place, and the game of love goes on. Hold it, and the game is over. That is the difference between Heaven and Hell.

God's wraith is really only the face of love refused.

Americans' deepest religion is often equality. The notion that Christ alone is God-superior, authoritative, supernatural-and that Christ's teaching and person is far greater than Buddha's, or Muhammad's, or Moses's, no matter how much great and good wisdom may be contained in those others, is scandalous.

To God each one of us is His favorite. God's love comes to all, but it comes to all as each, not to all as some anonymous aggregate.