My hope is not in strong horses or armies (or anything else that man puts his hope in, outside of the LORD)...and, I am prepared to stand for righteousness until the end.
I certainly did not mean it to sound second-best. I merely meant to say what I did say: Jesus promises only eternal life to those who believe and choose to love. Other gifts are all conditional. God knows what other gifts we do or do not need.
When St. Thomas Aquinas was told by Christ to ask for a reward for his writing on the Eucharist, Thomas said, “Nil nisi Te.” “Nothing but You.” (He then rose some distance off the floor.) Over the centuries, many have interpreted that answer as “I will settle for You.” Which, of course, Thomas did NOT mean.