Word to the Wise
Friday, November 17, 2017 - Friday in the 32th Week in Ordinary Time
[Wis 13:1-9 and Luke 17:26-37,1119]For from the greatness and beauty of created things their original author, by analogy, is seen. But yet, for these the blame is less; for they indeed have gone astray perhaps, though they seek God and wish to find him. For they search busily among his works, but are distracted by what they see, because the things sen are fair. But again, not even these are pardonable. For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord? [Wisdom]
NOVEMBER 17 ST. ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY
It has always been a puzzle to me how anyone engaged in scientific pursuits could be an atheist or even an agnostic. The Book of Wisdom, in today's first scripture, ponders this. The first part of the passage deals with the tendency to turn natural objects and forces into idols, as we know, for example, from Greek mythology. It is the second part of the passage that I am referring to in my statement.
Each day seems to bring some new discovery about the universe outside our planet, or the universe inside our bodies. Some researchers succumb to the temptation to materialism which says that only what we can measure is real. The step (or what some would call 'leap') to faith is beyond them. The Book of Wisdom puts it well: For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord? From the beauty of a child to the beauty of the stars, God is proclaimed. Psalm 19 sings, The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.
Lest I come down too hard on scientists, I also wonder how anyone in the great arts can embrace atheism or agnosticism. The sheer human capacity to appreciate the depth and beauty of language, music, dance, sculpture, paint should make us wonder why and how we developed such appreciation. It has been with us since our early human ancestors drew on cave walls! I hope the Book of Wisdom will give us all something to think about today and then look around to see, hear, and feel God speaking. AMEN