Faith

Professor Ansbro, an unmovable Catholic, haughtily stood in front of the classroom and announced that Saint Thomas Aquinas was the greatest theologian that had ever lived because he has used reason to prove the existence of God.

The professor then reeled off all five proofs in  Reader’s Digest form from Aquinas’ Summa Theologica.

I sat there and thought If Thomas Aquinas had really proven the existence of God back in the thirteenth century, why were there still so many non-believers walking the earth?

And so I politely  raised my hand and interjected: Dr. Ansbro-- isn’t the idea that you can prove the existence of God kind of heretical? Isn’t it presumptuous to think God can be reduced to an if/then statement? Isn’t belief in God an issue of faith which by definition means that which is unprovable?

The professor, clearly annoyed with the interruption responded So I guess you think you know more than Saint Thomas?

And then he went on with his lesson with no opportunity for me to respond Uh yeah—I do.

But as I sat at my desk quite irritated that this smug man had put me in the corner, I concluded Well actually this professor has just proven my point: reason cannot prevail when it comes to God—it’s all about faith. Dr. Ansbro had no faith in me and my argument and I had no faith in him and his argument.

Neither one of us could prove anything with logic.

And that is what this week is about for both Christians and Jews— faith--belief in that which is counterintuitive—accepting  truth in the mysterious.

Faith is something that is completely subjective--not objective. Reason does not presuppose what the the heart supposes.

When it comes to God, logic is merely a supportive afterthought.

And so my Theological Synthesis (Summa Theologica) pares itself down to this: whether you are sitting at a Seder or at mass or just with family at Easter dinner this week, as the wine and bread (leavened or not) passes among the gathered, God is there nodding in approval—extending grace—accepting thanks--- offering reward--- if and especially if, one has faith.

Happy Easter and Passover.