If I speak in the tonges of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And I if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist in its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.

1 Corinthians 13:1-10, NRSV

St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians consists of a number of very concise gems of wisdom regarding controversial subjects in the early Christian church. But here, he reminds them what is center to all his teachings: God's love, and the love we should have for one another. In so doing, he provides the most beautiful description of that elusive thing we all so yearn for.

Careful writers and discerning readers delight in the profusion of words in the English lexicon, no two of which are exact synonyms. Many words convey subtle shades of meaning, provide glimpses into the history of the language, conform to elegant principles of assembly, or enliven prose with distinctive imagery, sound, and rhythm. Careful writers pick up the nuances of words by focusing on their makeup and their contexts over the course of tens of thousands of hours of reading. Their readers' reward consists of partaking in - and, if they themselves write, helping to preserve this rich patrimony.

Steven Pinker, The Sense of Style

The Sense of Style is a style-guide for the English language, published in 2014 by humanist and Harvard linguist Steven Pinker. In this chapter, he discusses the appropriate way to consider both prescriptive and descriptive rules for grammar and vocabulary. But here, he summarizes exactly what I so love about language and writing.

Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection, and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.'

John 11:21-25, NRSV

Jesus's good friend Lazarus had just taken ill, and when Jesus received word He set out to visit him. Well, actually, He kinda took his time, and when Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already passed on. Even despite this, Lazarus's sister Martha has faith in God and Jesus. And Jesus rewards her with one of the clearest explanations of who He is and what He is doing on Earth. Oh, and He resurrects Lazarus.

(I tweaked the formatting and punctuation slightly to better engage prosody.)

For all people who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know the one who exists, nor did they recognize the artisan while paying heed to his works; but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air, or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water, or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world. If through delight in the beauty of these things people assumed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these is their Lord, for the author of beauty created them. And if people were amazed at their power and working, let them perceive from them how much more powerful is the one who formed them. For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of ther Creator. Yet these people are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. For while they live among his works, they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. Yet again, not even they are to be excused; for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?

Wisdom 13:1-9, NRSV

The book of Wisdom was written as a source of traditional Jewish values for communities living away from Judea. Its author worried that local influences would deteriorate Jewish heritage and faith, and I suppose this passage was written in particular to fend off indigineous animist influences. I personally find animism very intriguing, both from a philosophical and scientific standpoint, and occasionally I am unsettled by its contrast with my very Catholic faith. This beautiful passage helps me to put everything back into perspective.

God loves you just the way you are, and too much to leave you that way.

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I don't know if this quote comes from any particular context, or if it's just a nice aphorism. But it's an excellent poetic way of highlighting God's unconditional love for us, and the very essential fact that that's not good enough. God pulls us to divinity, perfection - the state of being one with Him. That's not something we can ever attain on Earth, but that's no reason to not try.

Oh, to be normal!
To be a safe and unassuming shade of grey.
Not too different,
Not too smart,
No more poems in your heart.
Do you really want to live your life that way?

Marcy Heisler, Sing your own Song, Dear Edwina

Have you ever wished your personality wouldn't...stand out, so much? Have you ever wished you could give it all up, and be "normal"? I used to struggle with that. But there's a cost, isn't there? This verse from a musical I once participated in helped me a lot to accept myself. I hope it can help you, too.

And all the host laughed and wept, and in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed. And he sang to them, now in the Elven-tongue, now in the speech of the West, until their hearts, wounded with sweet words, overflowed, and their joy was like swords, and they passed in thought out to regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.

JRR Tolkien, The Field of Cormallen, The Return of the King

Is there sadness in heaven? How could there be? And yet, who could bear an eternity without? The afterlife is a fickle thing, and it's very dangerous trying to guess what it's like. But I hope Tolkien's words will ring true then as now.