Scientific Mind

Today’s Gospel Text: While he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in and sat at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of extortion and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. Luke 11:37-41

Reflection:  There are those who are scientific minded and those who are the spiritual minded. Even among the spiritual minded there are rare and few who are really spiritual minded and trust and act in a pure spiritual way in matters of health and cleanliness too.

This is so because we by our sinful nature tend to be rationalistic, even though ultimately, it is not our rationalism that keeps us alive nor were we born with a rationalistic mind so as to exist in the first place.

Why then we pride in our rationalism? I too am rational in my ways but I disdain the extent that I am because it does not help to proclaim the highest truth of life and even God’s existence, power and providence.

Though science has its value and place in life, it has its limitations too. The spiritual mind beats the law of science and the scientific mind is not able to understand it. Some who have made themselves slaves to science see the wonders and yet refuse to believe lest they may have to give up the comforts of professionalism which they hold on to.

Who would  want to believe  Jesus in what he is saying? Among those who believe, how many would from today onwards not wash their hands while eating?

Though I would still wash my hands for cleanliness sake but I strongly believe in the truth of the message of Jesus. I do so after witnessing the many miracles in the lives of so many people who have sought to clean the inside of their cup and thus keeping disease and infection far away.

There are also many who believe in this message of Jesus, but on account of certain unforeseen or unperceived blocks may hold on to the scientific for a reason and time, till the Lord. whom they trust, will cleanse them from the inside in areas of much more importance to him.  

Hence the dedicated disciples are in no way comfortable under scientific treatment and thought; they look forward to that complete trust and dependency on God’s power, which is his salvation at work in us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be transformed by the renewal of mind, so that I may walk in your good, perfect and pleasing will. (cfr. Rom. 12:2)

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