James Talarico

I also think other religions of love point to the same truth.

I think of different religious traditions as different languages.

So you and I could sit here and debate what to call this cup.

And you could call it a cup in English.

You'd call it something else in Spanish and French.

But we are all talking about the same reality.

I believe Jesus Christ reveals that reality to us, but I also think that other traditions reveal that reality in their own ways with their own symbol structures.

And I've learned more about my tradition by learning more about Buddhism and Hinduism and Islam and Judaism.

And so I see these beautiful faith traditions as circling the same truth about the universe, about the cosmos.

And that truth is inherently a mystery.

And I think the most destructive thing is when religion becomes an end in and of itself.

That's when religion implodes.

My pastor always told me growing up that religious symbols are like aspirin.

In order to work, they have to dissolve.

They point beyond themselves.

If you get lost in the symbols, if you get lost in the words, you're missing the reality that we're all trying to describe and talk about.

What is your relationship to prayer?

Prayer is essential for me.

I start out every morning in prayer.

Sometimes it's silent prayer, which to me is probably the most helpful.