Quotes

From a homily by Pope Saint Gregory the Great (source) :

“Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.” He was the only disciple absent; on his return he heard what had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a seconde time; he offered his side for the disbelieving disciple to touch, held out his hands, and showing the scars of his wounds, healded the wound of disbelief.Dearly beloved, what do you see in these events? Do you really believe that it was by chance that this chosen disciple was absent, then came and heard, heard and doubted, doubted and touched, touched and believed? It was not by chance but in God’s providence. In a marvelous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of his master’s body, should heal our wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aisde and our faith is strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ’s wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection.

Touching Christ, he cried out: “‘My Lord and my God.’ Jesus said to him: ‘Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed.’” Paul said: “Faith is the guarantee of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” It is clear, then, that faith is the proof of what cannot be seen. What is seen gives knowledge, not faith. When Thomas saw and touched, why was he told: “You have blieved because you have seen me?” Because what he saw and what he believed were different things. God cannot be seen by mortal man. Thomas saw a human being, whom he acknowledged to be God, and said: “My Lord and my God.” Seeing, he believed ; looking at one who was true man, he cried out that this was God, the God he could not see.

What follows is reason for great joy: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” There is here a particular reference to ourselves. We are included in these words, but only if we follow up our faith with good works. The true believer practices what he believes. But of those who pay only lip service to faith, Paul has this to say: “They profess to know God, but they deny him in their works.” Therefore James says: “Faith without works is dead.”

Talib Kweli, Rush from Quality (2002).

I’m known to roll up my sleeves and put my hands in the dirt / We at war and I got a battle plan that can work

Sunkiss, The Foundation from Tony Touch: The Piece Maker (2000).

When my moneys involved, yo anybody’s for the snaking / some niggas you may think is yo fams is the ones thats faking. / Lemme find out, daddy’s stealin my bacon / you see me pull a .9 and start poppin like I’m Turbo from Breakin’

Dean Martin, Mr. Wonderful (Live) from Dean Martin Live From Las Vegas (c. 1967)

 Everytime I hear a baby cry… / I think it’s mine. [Audience laughter] (I just threw that one in there and I’ll throw it right out.)