Pastor's Spiritual Reflections

By Fr. Leo Schneider (10/07/2007)

Dear People of Holy Name,

There is a growing intellectual atheism in our country. If something can’t be proven in a rational scientific way, it isn’t real according to these atheists. I can’t help but think their way of understanding the world is limited. Could there be things that cannot be seen that are real?

While this questions leads to endless debate, I believe there are things that are real that cannot at this time be known, or proved, in a scientific way. I’ve spoken with people who are clairvoyant and have an ability to see and sense things that are beyond the radar, if you will, of science. I also believe that love is more than the chance happening of chemicals in the brain. At some point there is a mind and we, by our choices, play a role in what and how we experience life.

It is our faith that turns Jesus from a dead historical figure, into the Son of God who rose from the dead, and thus opened the door of our hearts and minds to embrace the resurrection, as part of our own future. Without this faith would there be a reason to live a good life? A reason to sacrifice for others? A reason to hope for the future? A reason even to believe in ourselves?

Sadly, I cannot prove my faith to anyone, but I know in my heart it is real, and I can’t imagine a life with no faith in the goodness of a God beyond myself. Today, Jesus talks about the power of faith. It is powerful and affects every area of our lives like yeast in dough. I believe it is also a gift, and today we come together to celebrate our faith and ask the Lord to bless our faith that we may not only believe in his goodness, but know his goodness in our lives.

Let us pray for this gift for ourselves and for each other. Let us also pray for those who have no faith, that they may come to believe and know what can’t be proven by science, but which is true and real as can be, and a blessing in their lives.

In God’s love, Fr. Leo