Dice v Scrabble

Wisdom 13:1-9; Ps 19 The heavens proclaim the glory of God; Luke 17:26-37

Listen to the words of the book of wisdom: "All men by nature are foolish who were in ignorance of God, and who from the good things seen did not know him who is, and from the studying the works did not know the artisan...For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord"

I have recently been reading a book entitled, "I do not have enough faith to be an atheist." The book's premise is that atheist in order to be atheist actually require more faith than believers. There is more evidence for belief in God by looking and examining the world around us than the reverse.

It is a fascinating read. I don't agree with all of the "logical" conclusions because I think the authors makes some jumps, but the authors make good points. In the book there is this statement from Einstein, "God does not play dice with the universe." Then Philip Gold continues, "Einstein was right, God does not play dice with the universe, rather God plays Scrabble!"

I like scrabble. I like Word with Friends. SO I really enjoy the analogy.
Scrabble requires some intelligence or cleverness. It is not just random. The quote implies that when you look out into the world, we recognize order, design, specific complexity. The simplest life forms consist of such amazing complexity that it is equivalent to 1000 complete sets of Encyclopedia Britannica.

As the first reading tells us, so many have been distracted by the works of God they have missed the one who worked it. The psalmist tells us that the "heavens proclaim the glory of God." SO today, spend some time thinking about the created world. Spend some time looking at the design of it all. Let the heavens tell the story. Let the heavens proclaim the message. Be amazed.
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Today we celebrate the feast of St. Martin de Tours. At the age 15 he joined the army of the Roman Empire in 4th century. While a soldier he had an encounter with a poor naked beggar who was requesting alms. Martin, having only his sword and his mantle, cut his mantle in half and gave it to the poor naked beggar. THat night he had a dream in which JEsus was the poor naked beggar.

He chose ot leave the military and join the ranks of serving Christ. He told the general that he would "do more with than the sign of the cross to the enemy than with a shield and sword."


He did. At the end of his life as we was facing death, surrounded by his monks who he helped guide and formed, upon their request for him to turn on his back so that he might be more comfortable he responded

"Brothers, rather let me look toward heaven than to earth so that my soul in its journey home may take a direct flight to the Lord."

St. Martin pray for us.

How do we carry the cross in our life? What good do we do with the sign of the cross as soldiers of Christ?

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We remember our Veterans today on this 11th day of November. Countless men and women have served our country and the nations of the world in seeking to restore peace and bring about liberation. They have put themselves in harms way. They have put their lives on the line. We stop and pause to remember them, to thank them, to honor them. We ask God to protect those who continually serve.

Today thank a Veteran. Pray for them all that they may heal from the wounds incurred on the battle field. Work for Peace.

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Lastly here is a excerpt from a blog I follow. Melanie Ringley had an insight I thought worth sharing. Read if you like. She recently wrote a book about coming back to the church.

"That’s one of the things about people, whether they’re contemplating a return to the Church or conversion, or even if they’re cradle Catholics. Sometimes, we choose to ignore or criticize Church teachings because we don’t like them or think the Church is wrong, outdated, misogynistic, behind the times… in essence, we decide our knowledge is correct and superior to anything we might find in dogma or doctrine. It’s easier to criticize… and either walk away or ignore what’s there, to preserve our life and our views as they are.

It’s harder to research the reason for the Church teachings on birth control or celibacy or purgatory and determine where precisely we disagree. Sometimes, the results may even change our minds, or at least make it easier to submit our will and intellect. Sometimes, we lose our knee-jerk reactions… and gain knowledge. Or, having gained that knowledge, we are all the more capable of engaging in intelligent discussion over knowing God as He is.