The Long View

Web Posted: August 18, 2003

Summer opens us to new perspectives and imagination that can sometimes seem to slip away during the course of a busy academic year. This week's Mission Reflection is from theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. In a few short lines Niebuhr gently illustrates the long view that is so necessary to realize Marquette's mission of faith, excellence, leadership and service.

"Nothing that is worth doing

can be achieved in our lifetime;

therefore we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good

makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;

therefore we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone;

therefore we must be saved by love."

--Reinhold Niebuhr