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The God of Faith and Reason
The Books of Nature & Scripture
Friday, November 15, 2024
Dear Friends in Christ,
One of the great divisions today is between faith and science. At least, some people think there’s a division. Many contend that faith and science contradict one another. Others might say that faith and science are both good…but not related in any real way.
Today is the feast of Saint Albert the Great, who was a natural scientist as well as a theologian. He saw no conflict between the two and reminds us that (as Bonaventure would later write) God speaks to us through the Book of Nature and the Book of Scripture.
There is one reality for our minds to grasp. Faith and science are two means by which we do it. Science is a knowledge that comes from empirical investigation into the natural, material world. Faith is the form of knowledge – indeed a participation in God’s own knowledge – that comes from assenting to what God has revealed.
Science and faith are neither opposed nor far apart. First, because every scientist has a natural faith in those who have gone before him and handed on the great discoveries and principles of science. Nobody gains any knowledge whatsoever except by having trust – faith – in a teacher. Further, science presumes faith in the reality of the physical world, a reality that not every religion or philosophy accepts. Which brings us to another point.
By the Catholic faith we know that God is not unreasonable. Now, this might seem a petty observation, but it makes an enormous difference. Because if, as some religions hold, God/Allah/the gods are not constrained by reason, then neither can his/their creation be reasonable – and that means the death of science as a discipline. If the Creator can be unreasonable, then his creation is as well, and the empirical study of it is a fool’s errand.
So, it’s not a coincidence that science blossomed in a Christian culture that believes in the God of faith and reason, in the Triune God whose central Person is the Logos – the Word or Thought. Anyway, Saint Albert the Great saw the connection clearly. May he pray for us to recover this united understanding of man’s knowledge.
Updates…
Just when you thought you had a break from politics, the Virginia Assembly puts forward a radical pro-abortion amendment. For more information on the bill and advocacy against it, visit the Virginia Catholic Conference.
Christ the King Novena. The feast of Christ the King used to be the last Sunday in October – so, right before election day. That’s always struck me as a good way to approach voting, with Christ’s Kingship in mind. Now the feast is one of the last Sundays in November, which also provides the helpful reminder that no matter who we voted in, Christ is King. The Novena for that feast begins today.
Thanksgiving Day Masses…will be at 630am and 900am.
Sunday Vespers…is something that Monsignor Cosby began when he was pastor in the 90’s. Well, he began it here. But it’s long been in the Church’s tradition for parishes to have Vespers on Sundays. This Sunday we’re restoring the praying of Vespers during the 5pm Holy Hour. Books will be provided!
Parish 40 Hours…will begin with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the 830pm Spanish Mass on December 9th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and conclude with Solemn Vespers on Wednesday, December 11th.
Salty Humor
Q. What did the ocean say to the shore?
A. Nothing. He just waved.
Through the intercession of our Lady and Saint James, may the Lord bless and keep you.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Scalia