Unknowns

Jesus said “But, God said to the rich farmer ‘You fool. This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be” (Luke 12:20).

            Some time ago, I went on a trip to Los Angeles. As usual, I made sure I had some extra cash and my credit cards with me in case of an emergency. In all my travelling, any emergencies I faced were small. When I landed in New York on my return trip, I found out my flight back to Buffalo was cancelled and the individual who was going to pick me up at the airport had tested positive for Covid 19. As I waited to find out how I was going to get home, thunderstorms came over the entire region and knocked out part of the Air Traffic Control System. After waiting over seven hours in line, I finally got my Boarding Pass for a flight on the following afternoon. I was fortunate I was able to stay with friends in New York and returned home safe and sound the next day. The experience taught me even when you prepare for the unknown it can overwhelm you.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus tells a Parable about a farmer who uses human wisdom to plan for the future but ignores an unknown which brings about problems. By doing so, Christ reveals the foolishness of such an approach to life.

            During Christ’s lifetime, farming was a risky profession. Poor soil, bad weather and pests inhibited crop production. Many Farmers rented their land from Property Owners who received a share of the harvest. A poor crop often resulted in food insecurity and Financial hardship. Since famine was a common occurrence in Ancient Times, the storage of excess food and other goods was a regular practice of most Farmers. For this reason, the wealthy Farmer’s actions in Christ’s Parable were understandable. In addition, he was likely hard working, proficient at his profession and a shrewd Businessman. His prosperity was the result of Human Wisdom and Experience. Or was it? The Farmer had no control over the soil, weather or pests. Perhaps he was the beneficiary of Divine Providence. Yet, his statements all began with “I.” He gave no credit or thanks to God. The Farmer shared none of his abundance with the poor. Although his actions considered Earthly unknowns, he forgot about heavenly ones. Yet, when confronted with the greatest unknown, the time when God demanded his life the Farmer’s “Wisdom” appeared foolish.

            Within our Society, many individuals prepare for the unknowns in life in different ways. Most people save for retirement to insure they will have Financial security in old age. Others buy Life Insurance to protect their loved ones from hardship if they die. Homes are insured so that if they are destroyed their owners can rebuild them. Many individuals appoint a Power of Attorney and prepare a Will to look after their affairs when they get seriously ill or die. In addition, actions are taken by them to reduce risks in their life. Although planning for the earthly unknowns of the future is prudent and the Human Wisdom and Experience used when doing so comes from  God, what about our Spiritual preparations. Whenever we prosper, to whom do we give the credit? On those occasions we confront the unknown, how much do we trust in God rather than ourselves? Human plans are always limited because so much of life is beyond our control. Trusting in God does not guarantee prosperity and sometimes goes against Human thinking. But we need to recall that while the future is unknown to us; it is known to God.

            Catholics and other people of Faith believe in a loving God. If this is true, the Disciples of Christ should trust in him and act appropriately. They should be thankful when they prosper. Disciples should share their abundance with the less fortunate. Although they should plan for the unknowns of the future, Disciples also need to see them as chances to trust in God and strengthen their faith.

July 31, 2022

Unexpected Gifts

Then, opening their treasure chests, the Wise Men offered Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matt. 2:11).

            When I was growing up, I got three kinds of Christmas presents: things I needed; things I wanted; and those which were unexpected. The first group included items like a new winter coat, boots or a toque which made it look like I was getting a lot of gifts. In the second category were things like toys, hockey equipment or a microscope about which I had dropped many hints to my parents in the weeks leading up to Christmas. However, almost every year I received at least one present, like a Bible, which fit into the third group. Some of the most meaningful gifts I received at Christmas were of this type.

            In this passage from Matthew, some Wise Men from the East come to Jesus in Bethlehem and present him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. By doing so, their unexpected arrival and action bring a deeper meaning to the Christmas Story.

            Each of the gifts brought by the Wise Men acknowledged a part of Christ’s identity. Gold recognized his role as a king. Frankincense identified his role as a Priest. Myrrh distinguished his role as one whose Death was a Sacrificial Offering. Yet, these individuals likely had little insight into the meaning of the Birth of Jesus. They journeyed to Jerusalem because of their Astrological Interpretation of the appearance of a new star. While they asked about the birth of an Infant King of the Jews, they probably knew nothing about the Prophecies about a future Messiah or Christ’s Royal ancestors recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament. It was unlikely that the Wise Men knew the Kingdom Jesus ruled was a Spiritual rather than Temporal one. His role as Priest meant he was intercessor between God and Humanity for the Redemption of Sin for all time and not just a short period. In addition, Christ was also the Sacrificial Offering whose Death released everyone from the bonds of Sin. The Wise Men’s gifts not only identified parts of the identity of Jesus but also stressed the element of the unexpected in the Christmas Story. Even their arrival in Bethlehem was an unexpected gift because there was no indication in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament of such an event. In a way, this detail of the Christmas Story suggested how Christ’s Ministry introduced new and unexpected developments into the evolution of God’s Plan.

            This Christmas I have also received an unexpected gift: time. I was recently told someone who received Communion from me at a Christmas Mass has tested positive for Covid 19. While I was wearing a mask when I gave this person Communion, the amount of time it took to do so was minimal and I have developed no symptoms, I have been advised to self-isolate until I can take a Covid 19 Test and get the results back. This means I have a lot of time on my hands. Until very recently, I grumbled about having so much to do and so little time to think. Now that is no longer a problem.

            Of course the challenge is that my Parish doesn’t cease operations because I need to self-isolate. Funerals still need to be arranged, bills paid and mail answered. Dirty laundry still piles up, groceries need to be bought and meals prepared. Fortunately, my staff and the others in the Rectory have these things well in hand. Most of the things which occupy my time are no longer doing so.

            The challenge is now how do I utilize this gift of time which I have received? After three days, I am still trying to answer that question. I have resumed some projects I had been working on before my situation changed such as going through my Computer Files to delete stuff I don’t need and better organize what I keep. I have kept up my reading and Prayers (but not increased the time devoted to them). Sadly, I have spent a lot of time staring at the walls trying to decide what I should do next. Since it is likely I won’t get my Covid 19 Results back for a week I need to come up with a plan.

            This Covid 19 Pandemic has had a disruptive effect on a lot of lives including my own. I know my challenge of trying to figure out what to do with all this extra time is nothing compared to those who have lost a loved one to the virus; work in a Hospital and worry about contracting it; or have lost their job working in a Restaurant or Small Business. Unexpected gifts, when they come at Christmas or another time of the year, can be disruptive. They may not be what we need or want but they can lead us to see things in a new way. While I would never call this Pandemic a gift (unexpected or otherwise) it may cause me to recognize time as something which is limited and precious. Maybe I need to look more carefully at how I have used it in the past and will use it after this Pandemic. Perhaps I should stop assuming I have a lot of time left to do the important things in life because Covid 19 might change everything.

            The Account of the Wise Men visiting Jesus recalls that unexpected events and things are part of life. The Wise Men may not have totally understood the meaning of Christ’s Birth but by their arrival and gifts showed their desire to participate in the Story. In a way, the gift they gave was themselves. Perhaps during this crisis, we may get the opportunity to be an unexpected gift to someone who is struggling to cope with Covid 19 by just being present to them. It could turn out to be the best present we could give them.

January 3, 2021

Tragic Flaw

When the rich man heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. (Mark 10:22).

             When I was studying the plays of William Shakespeare in High School, one of the ideas I learned was that of the “Tragic Hero”. This individual was usually the main character in the play and had many fine qualities. Yet, as the plot unfolds a tragic flaw is exposed in the character of that person which leads to tragic results. Sadly, tragic flaws are not confined to characters in the plays of Shakespeare but can be found in real people and have unfortunate consequences.

            In this passage from Mark, after a rich man is told by Jesus to sell all he owns, give the money to the poor and become a Disciple, he goes away grieving. By doing so, Christ identifies the man’s tragic flaw: his attachment to possessions.

            Within certain sections of the Hebrews Scriptures/Old Testament there was a perspective which linked Material prosperity with Religious observance. If someone obeyed the Jewish Law in its: Liturgical, Doctrinal and Moral Teachings, God rewarded that individual with success in earthly life. In the Book of Wisdom, a person who receives Wisdom from God and reveals it by the way he or she lives recognizes that quality is more valuable than gold or silver. Yet, Wisdom also brought with it good things such as wealth. Since such texts promoted true belief and proper conduct, they were popularized by many Religious Leaders. However, other texts challenged this view. The Jubilee Year required the return of property to its original owners and cancellation of debts which reduced differences in Material inequality. Job was a devout man who nevertheless experienced great personal and Material hardships. Amos attacked the wealth of the rich derived from the exploitation of the poor. The rich man could have accumulated his wealth through hard work, good business decisions or inheritance. There is no indication he did anything immoral. In fact, his observance of the Commandments revealed his Religious commitment and high ethical standards. Yet, he also likely saw his good fortune as the result of such behaviour. He and God made a deal: the man observed the Law and God rewarded him. His wealth was an indication of his Holiness. The certainty of this connection was the reason he was so attached to his property and his tragic flaw. God made no such bargain with him. Eternal Life was a gift which demanded detachment from all other commitments which included not just Material goods but the meaning given to them by Humans. As the man walked away, he grieved the loss of his view of how God operated.

            During this Covid 19 Pandemic there have been many stories which have highlighted the existence of a person’s tragic flaw. A mother who is sincerely concerned about the health of her adult children who do not want to get vaccinated continuously urges them to get their shot until they stop speaking to her. A man who will not get inoculated for Conscience reasons because the Vaccine was tested on material obtained from an Aborted Fetus is likely the reason a loved one get infected with Covid 19 and becomes seriously ill. A store owner seeking to protect the health of his employees and customers is so exacting in enforcing Health Regulations that relations with both groups deteriorate badly. Although in each case the person was well intentioned, a character flaw like the desire to force change, uphold a principle or control the behaviour of others results in problems. Catholics and other people of Faith sometimes want to make a deal with God. If I have the right motives God will vindicate my actions. Yet, they must also recognize the dangers which come with doing so; for as rich man discovered God does not make deals with us. Divine Providence is God freely giving us what he knows we need. He will not be manipulated.

            Most Catholics know there is a limit to what they can do during this Pandemic. They can encourage people to: get vaccinated; follow their conscience; and observe health regulations. But they must remember who ultimately is in charge. Failure to do so can expose a tragic flaw within themselves which can have negative results.

            Shakespeare’s plays taught me the importance of finding the tragic flaws within myself. Life has taught me I will probably find a few more in the years to come. Yet, the most important question I need to answer is not “What are they?” but “Will I learn from them the lessons God is trying to teach me?”

October 10, 2021

Temptation

The Devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread” (Luke 4:3).

            When I was growing up, my father told me stories about the Great Depression. He would talk about the struggles people faced: in getting a job; finding food to eat; and looking after their families. After listening to the problems he overcame during those years, my hardships at school seemed trivial by comparison. However, my father disagreed. For him, the crucial thing was not who confronted the greater difficulty but how they responded to it. Clearly, every  Human effort against adversity has value because it defines us and our role in the world.

            In this passage from Luke, the Devil challenges Jesus to order a stone to become a loaf of bread. By doing so, Jesus is tempted to become a different kind of Messiah than the one sent by his Father.

            Temptation was a common experience for individuals within the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament. In the Garden, the snake tested the obedience of the Man and Woman to God’s edict when it offered them the possibility of Divinity if they ate the Forbidden Fruit. God’s demand for the Sacrifice of Issac by Abraham likely challenged his belief in the promises made to him about the foundation of a great nation through his son. As the Israelites crossed the desert, their desire for food and water tested their trust in God’s Providence and raised the possibility of a return to Egypt. Each of these situations presented a temptation to those involved. A choice was necessary  not between good and evil but Faith in God and some lesser benefit. Regardless of their decision, the experience taught those involved about Divine Authority, the demands of Faith and revealed their identity in relationship to God. Christ’s Temptations in the Desert provided a similar test: a choice between fidelity to his Father’s plan and a lesser good. The satisfaction of hunger; a just world; and a spectacular demonstration of the Divinity of Jesus were not bad in themselves. Yet, their achievement was at the cost of a distortion of Christ’s true Mission and Identity. The Devil knew the actions demanded were not beyond the capacity of Jesus and matched the expectations of most individuals about the Messiah. However, that was not his Father’s Will. It was obedience to his Father which defined his Identity and Mission. The Temptations he combated in the Desert clarified everything. Since Jesus experienced the same tests as other people and overcame them he provided his Disciples with an example of the demands of Faith and God’s power over Evil.

            Lent is the Season we are called upon to re-examine our understanding of Temptation. In our Society, people usually take a Utilitarian approach when making Moral decisions: they seek the greatest good for the greatest number. By doing so, a small benefit is judged as being better than no benefit. Since each action produces some good and it is the individual who decides the amount of the benefit and number of people who gain by the action, Temptation can be reasoned away. Yet, events like the Holocaust or the slaughter in Rwanda demonstrate Evil is a real and objective experience. Temptation is valuable because it tests the individual’s ability to recognize and resist Evil. When it is overcome, a person’s Moral character is strengthened. Failure to do so leads to Evil which always produces tragic outcomes. The ability to conquer Temptation requires individuals to maintain their relationship with God. By remaining obedient to his Father’s Will Jesus became the Messiah he was called to be. Similarly, obedience to God allows people to live up to their full potential and become what they are called to be.

            During Lent, one way to develop our ability to resist Temptation is to spend more time in Prayer. Many people call upon God to deal with Temptation when they are confronted by it. Yet, after the moment of crisis has passed they forget about it. By reflecting on Temptation when it is not strong one can identify the occasions when it arises and its likely causes. These areas of life can then be brought to Prayer. Through Prayer one can seek God’s assistance to avoid situations when Temptation can occur and the strength to resist it when it does. Prayer maintains a healthy relationship with God which improves one’s ability to make proper Moral decisions. Rather than bringing temporary relief from Temptation, Prayer can allow Catholics and other people of Faith to develop a long term resistance to the desire to succumb to Temptation and Sin. Let our Prayer Life illustrate how we respond to the true effects of Temptation in our lives.

            As my Father’s stories taught me, each of us has to struggle against adversity. In difficult times, it is always tempting to look for any easy way out. How we respond in such circumstances establishes our identity and how we see our role on earth. If we declare we are Christ’s Disciples, we must like him resist the Temptation to ignore the Father’s Will and substitute a lesser good.

 

March 6, 2022

Shrewdness

Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into their eternal homes” (Luke 16:9).

            When I was in High School I had a classmate who saw himself as being shrewd. He was constantly trying to get the best deal possible for himself and would do almost anything to do so. Every time he made a promise, he would always include an escape clause so that if the result did not work to his favor he would not have to keep his word. It did not take long for individuals to stop trusting him, which meant he made few deals.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus tells his Disciples the Parable of the Dishonest Manager and then comments on the significance of shrewdness in one’s earthly dealings. By doing so, he suggests a similar attitude is required when a Disciple considers Spiritual issues.

            During Christ’s lifetime, slaves sometimes assumed important responsibilities within the households of their masters. These individuals supervised the work of other servants and insured their subordinates received their provisions. They also negotiated contracts in the marketplace on behalf of their master which bound him or her to its terms. In some situations, the slave received a commission for this work which became his or her property. For this reason, shrewdness was a desirable quality in those charged with this task so their master obtained the best deal. However, the possibility of personal benefit occasionally resulted in a conflict of interest with the master if the commission earned came from a contract which gave the master an inferior result. Through the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, Christ demonstrated how shrewdness in earthly activities yielded clear benefits: the slave’s immediate future was secure. Yet was it also true for the long term? Was dishonesty the means of entry into God’s Eternal home? For the Disciple, shrewdness meant a clear understanding of the best result for both his master (God) and him/herself (Eternal Life). It also required the Knowledge of how the attainment of that outcome was possible. Since the best outcome for both God and Disciple was the same there was no conflict of interest. In the same way others employed shrewdness to pursue their interests in earthly activities, the Disciple shrewdly sought the personal benefits of Eternal Life through obedience to Jesus.

            Our Society likes shrewd people. The Investor who buys stock in a Technology Company which then increases rapidly in value because of its revolutionary new product is admired by the Business Community. The Hockey Scout who identifies the potential of a young player who later helps the team win a championship is valued by his colleagues. A Teacher who assists a Student from a disadvantaged background excel at School and win a scholarship to University is highly regarded by his or her peers. Yet, the rewards for such shrewdness are measured by the Material or Social gain of the individual: money, awards or prestige. They are only recalled until another person surpasses their achievement. As those who live in this world, Catholics and other people of faith are conscious of the need for shrewdness when dealing with this world. They must guard themselves against the dishonest who will take advantage of them. Since their personal situation may be difficult, they need to find the best deal possible in the marketplace. But their perspective is not rooted just in this world. Their purpose in this life is to enter the next one. This means they must act with honesty and integrity in their dealings. They recognize a deal in which they benefit at the expense of their values is not worth much. Over time, others will probably take advantage of them. Catholics may miss out on the deal of a lifetime because of their Faith. However, since their reward is not in this life that missed opportunity does not mean much. With their attention focused upon their ultimate goal and how they reach it, Catholics can reveal a shrewdness equal to any found on earth.

            As I learned in High School, shrewdness used to gain a personal advantage at the expense of others can have negative consequences: like the loss of one’s credibility. However, as Christ indicates in this passage from Luke, it can also be used to benefit not only oneself but others and God. Like all qualities, when used appropriately shrewdness in Spiritual matters can have Eternal rewards.

 

September 18, 2022

Service

Jesus said, “Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat and he will come and serve them” (Luke 12:37).

            Some time ago, I was having lunch at a local Restaurant. The place was crowded and the waitress told me several staff members had called in sick. I could tell she was tired and needed a break. Yet, despite all the challenges she faced she put them aside and focused all her energy on serving her customers. She was a true example of what service means.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus reveals how service must be a fundamental quality in all his Disciples. By doing so, he indicates its challenges and rewards.

            During Christ’s lifetime, slavery was an accepted system within Israel. Most slaves were: captives of war; the poor who had acquired debt; or the children of those already enslaved. Since small or Tenant Farmers were responsible for most agricultural production, slaves were primarily Domestic Servants who made life easy for the wealthy. When born into a master’s family, slaves were usually treated as family members and entrusted with important tasks. Loyal service often resulted in better treatment and sometimes freedom. In his Teachings, Jesus equated Discipleship with the kind of service associated with slaves. When he washed his Disciples’ feet, something not required of Jewish slaves, Christ provided an example of the humility which service implied. This was a challenge in a Society which valued Social standing. As this story from Luke showed, the service provided by Disciples focused on the demands of their master (God) and took a long term view of events. This became a hardship when delays in God’s return for the Final Judgment caused attitudes of indifference and laziness among Disciples. For those entrusted with authority, service meant care for their subordinates. This was a challenge in a Culture where power brought respect. Yet, the reward which came from humble service was the recognition of one’s sacrifice. Those who provided constant service never feared God’s Judgment at the end of time. Disciples who saw their authority as a service to others received greater responsibility and avoided severe punishment. Clearly, service was a challenge but it also had its rewards.

            Within our Modern Society service no longer seems to be a high priority. Although many Businesses talk about the importance of Customer Service this often means fewer employees to assist people to find items and more Self-Check-Out Registers where they pay for them. Political leaders will talk about their commitment to Public Service but become Corporate Lobbyists with high salaries after leaving Office. Social Media portrays itself as serving the public by promoting communication between individuals but then sells the data they gather about users to advertisers. The ideal of humble, consistent and responsible service seems to be a thing of the past. For many Catholics and other people of Faith this change poses a challenge. Not only must they distinguish between true service and its Modern substitute in their daily lives but their actions are frequently questioned for alternative motives. Since everyone else sees service as a way to get some earthly reward, the same must be true for them. Yet for Catholics, service is something they are called to perform because they are Christ’s disciples. His reward for serving Humanity led to his rejection by those in power and Death on the Cross. Their reward for service leads to disdain and sacrifice. Yet, their perspective goes beyond this present life. Their reward comes from knowing they have met the standard set by Jesus and will be honored by God. They will be welcomed and respected by the God who knows what they experienced and will respond appropriately. Worry about what others think or when they will be rewarded are mere distractions in this present life. During the present time, they focus only on providing the best service possible.

            Service may be something which is not appreciated as much today as it was a generation ago. Yet, it is still a statement about the kind of Disciple a Catholic seeks to be. The rewards for being a good one may not come in this life; but it will come in the next.

August 7, 2022

Science

So the other disciples told Thomas, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).

            When I was in High School I enjoyed studying Science. I liked the way its conclusions were based on evidence which could be observed and measured. Another thing I liked was that Science used Reason: if one idea was true you could deduce from it other sound conclusions. A third thing I liked was how you could challenge a theory and perform an experiment to determine if it were true. However, as much as I liked Science I also recognized there were limits to what you could know by using it. For example, there is no way to “prove” a mother loves her child. When her baby wakes up crying during the night does she change the child’s diaper because she loves the child or so she can go back to bed? There are truths in life for which no Scientific proof can be supplied; in other words they must be accepted on Faith.

            In this passage from John, Thomas challenges the claim made by the other Apostles that Jesus has risen from the dead. By doing so, he reveals the tension which exists between Science and Faith about accepting Christ’s Resurrection.

            Thomas’s response to news about Christ’s Resurrection was reasonable. Jews associated the Resurrection with the End-times not the present day. While Jesus brought Lazarus back from the dead, that Miracle was not a Resurrection. Lazarus’s death was in the future. Christ’s Passion and Death were traumatic experiences for Thomas and the other Apostles. Those events included betrayal, arrest, an unfair trial and execution. The man in whom Thomas believed and followed was dead. The incident experienced by the other Apostles was a dream or projected Hope. Like a Modern Scientist, Thomas demanded proof based upon verifiable evidence: a finger placed in a nail-hole and a hand into a wounded side. However, when the Apostle established these criteria, he allowed for the possibility the Disciples’ Account was true. When Jesus returned, he satisfied Thomas’s demand for evidence. The Apostle responded with the strongest Faith statement found in John’s Gospel: “My Lord and my God.” Yet, Jesus warned him and the others that although Belief which took a Scientific approach based upon material evidence was acceptable, that built upon other criteria such as Witness Testimony was superior because it demonstrated greater trust in God. Science functioned within the limits of space and time found in the Created Order. These boundaries placed no restrictions on God. Certain truths about God were Mysteries which went beyond Human Reason. The only evidence for them came from Witness Testimony recorded in the Scriptures. Since this Source was unsatisfactory according to the criteria employed by most Historians and Scientists they rejected it. While Faith and Science sought the truth, differences in their criteria for evidence created the tensions experienced by Modern Disciples.

            Tensions between Science and Faith have surfaced during this Covid 19 Pandemic. Many Religious people ignore the evidence Scientists supply about the Virus and how to stop its spread and declare God will protect them. Some consider Public Health Measures which could limit the number of infections and deaths to be an attack on their Religious Freedom and so oppose them. Others contend since material from Aborted Fetuses is being used in the production and testing of Vaccines, they are cooperating with evil by getting one. These attitudes have caused some in our Society to think all Religions are Anti-Science and Irrational. Catholics and other people of Faith understand the tensions which exist between Science and Faith. On the one hand, God gave us Human Reason to understand the Natural World and employ this knowledge to promote the Common Good. This is why the Catholic Church sponsors Scientific Education and Research in its Universities and Health Care Facilities. On the other hand, God also established a Moral Law which insures Human actions conform to that Common Good. It is for this reason the Catholic Church is uncomfortable with Vaccines produced or tested with material obtained from Aborted Fetuses. Although it is not opposed to the vaccination of individuals, it respects the Conscience Rights of those who choose to not get a shot. Modern Disciples often find it difficult to navigate the tensions between Science and Faith at this time. They respect Science because it is based on Reason and evidence. However, their Faith acknowledges the limits of Science and how it might violate the Moral Order. As Thomas learned in this story from John, taking a Scientific approach using evidence and Reason can lead one to truth. Yet, combining it with Faith can lead one to a more complete truth. By its Teachings, the Church tries to show Modern Disciples how this can be done.

            I still like Science because it is reasonable and based upon evidence. My Faith tells me to follow the advice of Medical Experts because all they know can help me stay healthy. It also tells me how to fit their Knowledge into God’s Moral Law to make sure it is used wisely. Science and Faith will continue to have tensions. But, when they cooperate they accomplish a lot of good.

April 24, 2022