It doesn't really matter how much of the rules or the dogma we accepted and lived by if we're not really living by the fundamental creed of the Catholic Church, which is service to others and finding God in ourselves and then seeing God in everyone - including our enemies.
Interpretation
True adherence to faith is measured by our actions in service to others and recognizing the divine in all people, even our enemies.
In this quote, Martin Sheen emphasizes that following religious rules and dogmas is secondary to the core principle of the Catholic Church, which is to serve others and find God within ourselves. He suggests that the ultimate test of faith lies in how we treat others, including those we might consider adversaries, and in recognizing the divine presence in every individual.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a community service event to inspire volunteers.
Childhood hunger in America is as much a paradox as it is a tragedy. Why, in the wealthiest country in the world, should hunger darken the lives and dreams of 12 million children and their families? I believe that, when Americans learn the facts and understand how their involvement can make a difference, banishing childhood hunger will be a national, local and personal priority.
While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive.
I am still a journeyman actor and a peace and justice activist. I'm a pilgrim trying to win my freedom and serve as best I can in the time I have, with this gift I've been given.
When I reached adulthood, even now, I could afford to belong to a country club. But I could never belong to a private club because of my experience as a child, because it would isolate me from the whole of humanity.
Future generations are not going to ask us what political party were you in. They are going to ask what did you do about it, when you knew the glaciers were melting.
My recovery is the single greatest accomplishment of my life. Without that, the rest of my life would have fallen apart.
How are we going to make our livings in a society becoming increasingly jobless because of hi-tech and outsourcing? Where will we get the imagination to recognize that for most of human history the concept of Jobs didn't even exist? Work, as distinguished from Labor, was done to produce needed goods and services, develop skills and artistry, and nurture cooperation.
Cities give us collision. 'Tis said, London and New York take the nonsense out of a man.
Thereβs nothing quite as frightening as someone who knows they are right.
I was modest--they accused me of being crafty: I became secretive. I felt deeply good and evil--nobody caressed me, everybody offended me: I became rancorous. I was gloomy--other children were merry and talkative. I felt myself superior to them--but was considered inferior: I became envious. I was ready to love the whole world--none understood me: and I learned to hate.
Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.
Faith is different from proof; the latter is human, the former is a Gift from God.
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