Message: Harmony of the Divine and the Rational (06/24/'24)

Message: Harmony of the Divine and the Rational Dear Friends, Today, I invite you to journey with me through the profound insights of Thomas Aquinas, a towering figure in the history of Christian thought. His work stands as a testament to the beautiful harmony that can exist between faith and reason, between the divine mysteries and our rational understanding of the world. Aquinas, drawing from the wellspring of Aristotle's philosophy, taught us that knowledge is not something innate, locked within the recesses of our minds, but something to be discovered through the vibrant interaction of our senses with the world. He believed that by observing the natural world and employing the gift of reason, we can come to know more deeply the handiwork of our Creator. In every star, in the sway of trees, and in the flow of rivers, Aquinas saw the fingerprints of God. He showed us that the natural world is not separate from the divine but is a reflection of it. Through this lens, the study of nature becomes an act of worship, a way to understand and appreciate the divine artistry. Aquinas bridged what many saw as a chasm between faith and reason. He taught that these are not adversaries but allies in our search for truth. Faith, he said, does not fear reason; it embraces it. Reason, in turn, does not diminish faith; it enriches it. In this synthesis, we find a fuller, more profound understanding of our place in the cosmos and our relationship with the Creator. He also brought together the practical wisdom of Aristotle with the spiritual virtues of Christianity. From Aristotle, he took prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, and he wove them together with the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and charity. This union of virtues guides us not only to live well in this world but also to prepare our souls for the next. Through his famous "Five Ways," Aquinas provided arguments that lead our minds to the divine. These steps, grounded in observation and reason, help us to glimpse the eternal truths that underpin our existence. They remind us that human reason, when guided by faith, can soar to great heights of understanding. Thomas Aquinas gave us a vision of unity—where the sensory and the spiritual, the earthly and the divine, are inextricably linked in a sacred dance. Let us embrace this vision, recognizing that our pursuit of knowledge and our acts of faith are not separate endeavors but parts of a greater whole. In this harmony, we find the true beauty of God's creation and our place within it. May we continue to seek knowledge with humility, embrace reason with faith, and find in every discovery a deeper understanding of the divine. Blessings, Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 24, 2024)