We kind of like to substitute “reason” for pragmatism. We like to think we have “reasoned” out the issue and whatever is the most pragmatic solution, well that then of course is the most reasonable. You always know that there’s the “right” way, the God-honoring way, but that’s not always how we make our decisions. Fr Frederick Nkwasibwe in his book Business Courage quoting Pope Benedict writes: “Mature faith is a handmaid and rescue service provider of reason. In spite of reason having a significant likelihood of deforming our way of thinking, behaving and relating, it also has the potentiality and it can actually be purified and liberated by faith from its blind spots and mistakes. Faith has the capacity of liberating reason from its mistakes that rule our minds. Pope Benedict XVI (2005) underscores this point when he writes: ‘If reason is to be exercised properly, it must undergo constant purification, since it can never be completely free of the danger of a certain ethical blindness caused by the dazzling effect of power and special interests … Faith by its specific nature is an encounter with the living God  – an encounter opening up new horizons extending beyond the sphere of reason. But it is also a purifying force for reason itself. From God’s standpoint, faith liberates reason from its blind spots and therefore helps it to be ever more fully itself. Faith enables reason to do its work more effectively and to see its proper object more clearly.” (Encyclical Letter Deus Caritas Est (God is love Dec 25, 2005) no 28, a) pp 73-74 Business Courage).

So what does that mean? We must continually go back and be in God’s Word, in His sacraments, regularly meeting with brothers and sisters in Jesus, remembering what is ultimately the most important thing. The faith that God gives us guides us to things and results we can’t even imagine, whether it is what happens in our vocation or for eternity. Trust in Him and He will lead you to the best result, something that your reason can’t even begin to imagine or justify.

Let’s talk some more, now that the holidays are over and the snow and cold of winter is here in force, well, we’re at least back on our regular schedule. Join us at the Green Bean Coffee Co, the corner of W King St and Beaver St, park behind the church, 10am Wednesday Jan 8. We are still in Gene Veith’s book on our vocation, we have copies for you to use.