Faith and Reason

"If the work of God could be comprehended by reason, it would be no longer wonderful, and faith would have no merit if reason provided proof." -Pope Gregory I

I came across this today while reading a DS article and it struck me just how much faith plays a role in my life. I have a friend whose blog is often wrought with drama and annoyances and "issues," and how hard it is to overcome these issues and how every little problem is SUCH an inconvenience. And I know my faith is what keeps me from that vortex of wishing things were different, or better, or somehow smoother. I guess we all wish for things to be better, and usually it's financially better, of which I claim no exception, and we may even pray to God that He somehow lifts us out of worry and stress-heck, a nice lottery check would be nice. But that is where a good Christian continues... God, I wish you could help me with xxxx problem. But if it's Your will that it not happen the way I would wish, so be it. I will carry each cross to the best of my ability, for You. That is the comportment we should have. And it ain't easy. But like all habits, good and bad, once you are in the habit of acceptance, working like it's all up to you and praying like it's all up to God, it's easier to do.

I remember when Jeff had his serious accident, a friend, blubbery and distraught said to me, "Shelley, he might lose his eye!" My first and only response was "But the other eye is okay, right?" To which someone might say to me, "But what if the other eye weren't alright?" Well, then, I say we go to the next "good" thing. Can he talk? Feel? Hear? Is he dead? If he's dead, was he wearing his scapular? Can we find the priest now? There is bound to be something good, somewhere. And we just need to focus on that.

And all of these inner conversations and thoughts and wishes are due to my faith. Not what I can see and touch and count with reason. I always find it interesting how the erudite like to belittle the faithful, as if their reason and science are oh so much superior in intelligence to the sheep who follow an unseen God. I certainly don't feel any dumb-er since I became a Christian. In fact, I have grown in wisdom and love that I never would have had. I would be a cold sob right now. Really.

I love Thee, O Christ, and I bless Thee,
Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. Miserere nobis.