I used to scoff at simplistic expressions of faith…and now, years of trolling through academia behind me (I’m really not all that brilliant, I have now come to see) I look back and recognize that I was the silly one. Yes—doctrine, theology, education, history—they all matter immensely, intensely, and very deeply to me. The engaging of my mind through the study of God and humanity is one of my dearest loves and happiest pursuits.  That said, if I do not possess a heart that says with truthfulness “I love You” and “I need You”, then I am robbing myself of all the beauty of studying God…because when I look at something so vast and mysterious and Beautiful, True, and Good, it had better make me recognize my need, or I am running in circles chasing my own tail, dooming myself to “searching the Scriptures” and missing the Word Himself, like the Pharisees. 

 

My food for thought today:

 

“Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.” and “Kneeling before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: “My God, you know that I love You.” And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus; knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will.”

- St. Therese de Lisieux 

 

“John 5:39-40 You search the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.”