Faith and Science
Summary, Sunday, October 22-Friday, October 27, 2017
Since the rift that occurred between science and religion with the Copernican revolution, Christian faith has had little to do with discerning the actual evidence that was commonly available in the present, in the mind, memory, heart, soul, and in creation itself. (Sunday)
Today’s scientists often seem to have more in common with the mystics than do many religious folks. (Monday)
If we’re resolved that this is where we want to go—into the Mystery, not trying to hold God and reality but to let God and reality hold us—then I think religion is finally in its proper and appropriate place. (Tuesday)
If our God is both incarnate and implanted, both Christ and Holy Spirit, then an unfolding inner dynamism in all creation is not only certain, but also moving in a positive direction, and with a divine goal that is always set before us. (Wednesday)
Science and religion should be natural partners when it comes to caring for our common home. As Christians, we have a clear mandate to steward Creation. (Thursday)
“An objective of our prayer is to change the way we perceive the world in order to change the way we relate to the world.” —Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Friday)
Practice: Serving Creation
In God’s loving plan, every creature has its own value and significance. —Pope Francis [1]
In their reflections on Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary offer practices for growing our awareness of and action in service of Creation:
Seek ways to stretch your understanding of this wonderful universe. Begin with the familiar: in your mind’s eye go back to a place on this good earth that is linked in a special way with your friendship with God. Was it a mountaintop with a sweeping vista or a meadow that felt like an embrace of God? Remembering these places is helpful, because they have revealed to us the beauty of God.
Now seek a way to stretch your understanding into meeting and appreciating a landscape or a dimension of the creation that may be new to you. Try to learn something new about this amazing world of ours before nightfall. How does it, too, reveal the Creator? [2]
Follow the news reporting for one day. What are the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor that you listen to or read about in a day’s news? What one simple act can you take in response to what you see and hear so that your grieving truly serves our world? [3]
Gateway to Silence:
Divine Reality, endlessly knowable
References:
[1] Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, 76, http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html.
[2] Sisters of IHM, Praise Be to You: Daily Reflections on Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ (Congregation of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: 2015), 23.
[3] Ibid., 15.
For Further Study:
“Evidence,” Oneing, vol. 2, no. 2 (Center for Action and Contemplation: 2014)
Richard Rohr, The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (Whitaker House: 2016)
Rob Bell, Ilia Delio, Richard Rohr, CONSPIRE 2014: A Benevolent Universe, Session 8 (Center for Action and Contemplation: 2014), MP4 video download
I also recommend:
Ilia Delio, The Unbearable Wholeness of Being: God, Evolution, and the Power of Love (Orbis Books: 2013)
Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, ed. Paul Hawken (Penguin Books: 2017)
Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
