Yesterday I was asked why I was quoting so many Englishmen, so I am responding with a Frenchman. Seriously, every now and then I run across a paragraph that says so eloquently what I bear witness with and to that to change even a word seems to desecrate the thought. So, I am dedicating my commentary today to His Eminence Henri-Marie Cardinal de Lubac, (1896 – 1991) who was a French priest of the Roman Catholic Church, who is considered to be one of the most influential theologians of the 20th Century. His writings and doctrinal research played a key role in the shaping of the Second Vatican Council. It’s a shame that Pope Benedict is going back to pre-Vatican II. And it’s too bad that Henri isn’t still physically here to encourage us; however, his past writings will be a good substitute.
I quote (every exact word) from page 165 of Henri’s book, The Discovery Of God…..
“Whenever it abandons a system of thought, humanity imagines it has lost God.
The God of “classical ontology” is dead, you say? It may be so; but it does not worry me overmuch…… And if “classical ontology” disappeared, it was surely because it did not correspond adequately with being. Nor was its idea of God adequate for God.
The mind is alive, and so is the God who makes Himself known to it!
“God is dead” or so it seems to us….. until, round the next bend in the road, “we find Him again, alive“. Once again He makes Himself known, in spite of all that we have left behind on the road, all that was only a viaticum for one stage of our journey, all that was only untill we had to make a fresh start…. And if we have really progressed along the road, we shall find God Himself greater still. But it will be the same God! Deus semper major. And once again we shall move on in His light.
God is never left behind in the dross. In whatever direction we go, He is there before us, calling to us and coming to meet us.”
Henri was truly a man of God, and one truly missed! One who understood the “real spiritual journey“. Don’t miss those who are currently alive and on the journey with the Father.
To come to a bend in the road of life and find “Deus Semper Maior” when we make it around the bend to the other side, is encouraging, and it satisfys the “why” for those bends in our lives. Each bend just brings us to a greater understanding of God’s greatness.
As long as we “make the turn”.
Correct- God is eternal.