Lenten Introspection
It's Lenten week once again and I'm at a loss whether I should read a novel (I usually do. Last year I read Nick Joaquin's TWWH2N and previously, Da Vinci Code), read the "classic" Leo Trese book, read the bible or simply observe. What are the things I have missed or haven't done?
Recently, a so called "Gospel of Judas" was discovered by National Geographic (it's all in the news) and it somehow "vindicates" Judas Iscariot, who for long has the image of the "traitor" or the bad apostle, the 13th apostle, which has become a symbol of bad luck.
What do all these things mean? It means we still don't know a lot of things. It used to be that science contradicts faith and vice-versa, but now the Church supports and in fact accepts science (I would add that science is a gift). We believe in miracles. We believe in healing the sick, and the supernatural grace of God, the impossible turning possible. And there are also non-supernatural (should all miracles by extraordinary), according to some, miracles. Like the fact that we are alive and kicking on this earth is a miracle in itself. Miracle or no miracle, faith is faith.
What makes it difficult is when people discover things, explanations, and processes that worked to bring the miracle to reality. After all, we live in a physical world as we are all physical (with a "spiritual" body). There is an explanation behind a "process". Why does it rain? Because the process of condensation of water particles are already "complete" or has exceeded it's "saturation point" that the next thing that comes is "precipitation".
The fact that we are born is a miracle, but when science explains the nine-month biological development of a human being isn't it a miracle in itself?
Now come documents, to be specific Gospels that are not included in the canonical Gospels. How do we react to these discoveries? Let us remember that our knowledge on our faith is based on "trust". Trust in the "elders": our parents who first taught us (or guardians) about the concept of God, and the "Church" who teaches us through cathechism, mass readings, Gospel readings. And not to forget we trust what's in the Bible. But bear in mind, there are also "processes" behind these institutions.
There are many "contradictions", "ironies" among ourselves but which I, myself, am looking for resolutions.
If we only trust God to heal us, then we don't need medicine, we don't need to go to a doctor when we are sick, we don't need a dentist when our tooth aches, we don't need to emergency rooms when we are in danger. So things outside what we believe in, are in fact part and parcels of the whole "process". They are also "miracles". After all, when someone survives a crisis in an emergency room, isn't that a "miracle" in itself.
Recently, a so called "Gospel of Judas" was discovered by National Geographic (it's all in the news) and it somehow "vindicates" Judas Iscariot, who for long has the image of the "traitor" or the bad apostle, the 13th apostle, which has become a symbol of bad luck.
What do all these things mean? It means we still don't know a lot of things. It used to be that science contradicts faith and vice-versa, but now the Church supports and in fact accepts science (I would add that science is a gift). We believe in miracles. We believe in healing the sick, and the supernatural grace of God, the impossible turning possible. And there are also non-supernatural (should all miracles by extraordinary), according to some, miracles. Like the fact that we are alive and kicking on this earth is a miracle in itself. Miracle or no miracle, faith is faith.
What makes it difficult is when people discover things, explanations, and processes that worked to bring the miracle to reality. After all, we live in a physical world as we are all physical (with a "spiritual" body). There is an explanation behind a "process". Why does it rain? Because the process of condensation of water particles are already "complete" or has exceeded it's "saturation point" that the next thing that comes is "precipitation".
The fact that we are born is a miracle, but when science explains the nine-month biological development of a human being isn't it a miracle in itself?
Now come documents, to be specific Gospels that are not included in the canonical Gospels. How do we react to these discoveries? Let us remember that our knowledge on our faith is based on "trust". Trust in the "elders": our parents who first taught us (or guardians) about the concept of God, and the "Church" who teaches us through cathechism, mass readings, Gospel readings. And not to forget we trust what's in the Bible. But bear in mind, there are also "processes" behind these institutions.
There are many "contradictions", "ironies" among ourselves but which I, myself, am looking for resolutions.
If we only trust God to heal us, then we don't need medicine, we don't need to go to a doctor when we are sick, we don't need a dentist when our tooth aches, we don't need to emergency rooms when we are in danger. So things outside what we believe in, are in fact part and parcels of the whole "process". They are also "miracles". After all, when someone survives a crisis in an emergency room, isn't that a "miracle" in itself.
posted by angelo at 4:21 PM
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