Science, Intellect, God

Science and religion are often separated in contemporary society. Today, atheistic ideas regarding science as the sole means to the secrets of the universe run rampant. Through science, we can conquer disease, death. Our intellect allows us to uncover the secrets of the universe, create gadgets straight out of science fiction, bring new ideas to life. 

This idea is the complete opposite of what is true. Our intellect is a gift from God. It is through our intellect that we are able to learn and come to know our Holy Father. The gift of intellect allows us to take the crazy ideas that are given to us by God and bring them to life. 

For example, take recent advancements such as Google Glass, a gadget composed of computerized glasses. This idea popped straight out of science fiction on the big screen to a reality that exists in everyday life. A rather arrogant way of taking this accomplishment would be "Hey! I don't need God, we created this technology with our minds alone.Our minds can do anything!." The truth is, God gave us this new technology for a reason. We are called to use whatever gifts he presents us with in service of others. For instance, one way we could use this technology would be an app that would monitor blood pressure for those who have heart problems. There are endless possibilities for the usage of Glass, and all the other advancements as well.

Technology is an important part of our daily lives, and we often abuse the privilege of science and intellect that got us there. It is important to remember that it is God who got us where we are, and without God, we are nothing. Although technology and science are great, God is greater. Science is a gift from our faith in God. 

A History: The Catechumenate

Today let us take a look at the history of the Sacrament of Baptism. Back in the early days of the Church, those who wished to join were initiated through a process known as the Catechumenate.  Through this process, the Church would instruct in the teachings of the Faith and prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation. Over the years, it became tradition to Baptize these new members into the Church at the Easter Vigil, or the night before the commemoration of the Resurrection. In recent years, this same process can be seen in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, or RCIA.

The Sacraments and Human Nature

Human nature is a strange thing. We consistently require a need for a physical representation. We are unable to fully believe on faith alone. We need evidence, proof. 

St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that humanity is led by physical things, things that we can interact with through the five senses. God dispenses His grace through the sacraments. Although the sacraments each dispense spiritual grace, each has its own unique physical representation. For example, take the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Of course you could just go to the priest and say "Forgive me for I have sinned" and the priest would reply "You are forgiven" and we could all skip happily into the sunset. However, as humans, we need to feel forgiven. We need a sign to reassure ourselves that yes, God still loves me and He has forgiven me. As a result, we confess our sins to the priest, and he gives us absolution in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

Another example is in the Eucharist. Sure, God could have just told us we are saved, but how long are we going to believe that? Instead, God sacrificed Himself on the Cross and instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist. We are able to remember His death and resurrection every time we go to Mass and relive the last supper, consuming the Body and Blood of Christ. 

We have events such as banquets and graduation ceremonies so as to have a tangible experience to our actions. Such applies to the sacraments. God has given a means to receiving His grace through a physical experience. It is through the experience that we build our relationship with God and continue on the path to greater holiness. 

Holiness: The Liturgy

What is liturgy? What is its purpose?

Liturgy derives from the Greek ergos ("work"), and leiton ("of the people").  Leitourgia (from the 3rd century BC Greek translation of the Old Testament) was a term for the worship led by the Levite priests of the Temple on behalf of the people. Since then, leitourgia has evolved into the liturgy we know and love today. Liturgy has come to define the Church's public and official worship of God. This includes the Mass as well as the official rites and cerimonies.

The liturgy's purpose is diverse: giving glory and honor to God, building the faith of the people, instructing the faithful in the Faith. It is also an exercise of the priestly office of Christ, which the Church continues under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Holiness: A Life of Prayer

What is so important about prayer? I mean it's weird isn't' it? You see people just sitting there staring into space, or talking to themselves? Are Christians insane?

Prayer is basically a conversation with God himself. A well-formed life of prayer strengthens our relationship with God. Why care? God responds to us through prayer. Prayer is how God communicates with us. If we're going through difficult times, prayer can comfort us and offer hope for better times. If we're struggling with a decision, God can talk to us through prayer and guide us in making the right choice. 

On the path to holiness, prayer plays a significant role in getting us there. Through prayer, we can build on our relationship with God. Through prayer, God guides us on the road to holiness. 

St. Gianna Beretta Molla

St. Gianna Beretta Molla. Wife, mother, doctor who dwelt on this planet back in the mid-twentieth century. But what about her makes her worthy of the title "saint?"

Gianna was born into a rather large, but devoted Catholic family. In her early years, she contemplated a religious life, but ultimately chose to pursue a career in medicine. But even here, she did not completely put aside her religious devotion. Much of her free time was spent on charity work, and upon her graduation, she immediately went to work, opening a clinic in her hometown for the poor and elderly. Later, she obtained an additional degree in children's medicine so that she would be able to give proper care to the mothers and their young who came to her for help.

In her later years, she would marry a gentleman by the name of Pietro Molla. The two would joyfully celebrate the births of three children, Pierluigi, Mariolina, and Laura. However, in the fall of 1961, after two miscarriages, Gianna once again became pregnant. What made this event significant, is the fact that a tumor was discovered, which threatened both her life and the life of her future child. Gianna was urged by her doctors to abort her child, so as to save her own life. To her, this was completely unacceptable and stated "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate. Choose the child - I insist on it. Save the baby."

Nine months later, on the Good Friday of 1962, checked into the hospital and the following day, gave birth to Gianna Emanuela. Gianna's doctor's fought and struggled to save her life as well, but ultimately the complications of childbirth proved too much for the elderly woman to bear. She died exactly one week after the birth of her newborn child.

Gianna's actions are a perfect fulfillment of John 15:13, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." She was later canonized by Pope Blessed John Paul II in 2004.

The Universal Call to Holiness

"Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," (Matthew 5:48).

Although perfection is an aspect that no human could ever achieve, each of us is constantly called to greater holiness through charity, prayer, and especially the New Commandment of Love. There are a select few of us who are called to holiness through the priesthood, and another group of us who are called to join the special group known as the laity. The laity composes of lay men and lay women who engage in everyday activities, and evangelize and sanctify the world "from within." These men and women are the "front lines" in the Church's evangelical mission.

How does one seek holiness through the laity? This requires more than just attending mass once a week or volunteering for service hours at a retirement home or homeless shelter. God calls us to seek holiness in every part of our lives: work, school, home, friends, family, etc. A proper response to the call to holiness would be:

• Actively participating in the liturgy (i.e. altar serving, attending mass daily)
• Frequent reception of the Sacraments (especially of the Eucharist and Reconciliation)
• Forming an active life of prayer
• Applying the practices of sacrifice and self-denial
• Sanctifying all part of life (ordinary and within the Church)

We should put as many of these practices into our ordinary lives as possible. Through their application, we may grow closer to God and aid in sanctifying the world to make it a better place.