This is another contribution from G-pa.
“ Anyone who does not know God is simply foolish. Such people look at the good things around them and still fail to see the living God. They have studied the things he made, but they have not recognized the one who made them.” (Wisdom 13:1)
Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Biology, Astronomy, Anthropology, Anatomy, Oceanography. Sounds like a page out of a college catalogue, but all of us have been studying science since we were kids. All through school and college, and into our workplaces and our homes, science has been a big part of our lives. We watch nature programs on TV and read books on the workings of the mind and the wonders of the universe. In all that exploration of the world around us, it is possible to miss one very important fact: “When we realize how vast and beautiful the creation is, we are learning about the Creator at the same time.” (Wisdom 13:5) We discover God in His Creation.
The author of the Book of Wisdom calls those who fail to do this “foolish.” Anyone who is called foolish in the Old Testament isn’t thought of as just unwise, but as stubborn, closed-minded, and lacking spiritual insight.
In our everyday lives, there are many amazing things happening all around us, wonders and moments of grace that we take for granted. Sadly, we often do “fail to see the living God.” When we witness a beautiful sunrise or sunset with its magnificent colors bouncing off the clouds or the changing of the seasons, especially autumn with its array of glorious colors, why don’t we burst into a chorus of “How Great Thou Art”? We see nature in all its awesome wonder everywhere we look; so why is it that we get so full of our own thoughts, plans and worries that we fail to recognize the Hand of God in all of this? It’s just our own foolishness. And what would be the remedy for our stubborn, closed-minded, unwise lack of spiritual insight? I think it’s a process that begins with awareness, leads to acknowledgement and appreciation, and results in gratitude and thankfulness, followed by a heartfelt chorus of “How Great Thou Art”!
The Catechism tells us that, “methodical research in all branches of knowledge…can never conflict with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive from the same God” (CCC159). When we really take the time to look for Him, we are blessed to discover the Creator in the magnificence of His Creation.
- “How Great Thou Art” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRwW8E5U-iU
- “Indescribable” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IlVfkY5q54
Wisdom 13:1-5 from the Good News Translation:
Anyone who does not know God is simply foolish. Such people look at the good things around them and still fail to see the living God. They have studied the things he made, but they have not recognized the one who made them. 2 Instead, they suppose that the gods who rule the world are fire or wind or storm or the circling stars or rushing water or the heavenly bodies. 3 People were so delighted with the beauty of these things that they thought they must be gods, but they should have realized that these things have a master and that he is much greater than all of them, for he is the creator of beauty, and he created them. 4 Since people are amazed at the power of these things, and how they behave, they ought to learn from them that their maker is far more powerful. 5 When we realize how vast and beautiful the creation is, we are learning about the Creator at the same time.
Happy Birthday Don!!!
Miss you very much.
With all the beautiful weather we’ve had recently, everyday when I get in my car in the driveway I look up at the beautiful blue of the sky, I thank God for the beauty before me.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Don!❤️🙏🎂