The Catechetical Review - Communicating Christ for a New Evangelization

Catechesis on the Miracles of Jesus: Why God Wants to Intervene in Nature

Authored by Msgr. Paul J. Watson in Issue #31.4 of The Sower
In this series on the Miracles of Jesus we have been exploring the whole question of the possibility of miracles by examining the approach of C.S. Lewis. We have seen that the idea that Nature accounts for all that exists is in the end untenable. Reason or rationality cannot be explained within the cause and effect relationship of natural processes. Rationality is something outside of Nature, which acts upon it – giving meaning and purpose. From the basis of the human experience of Rationality acting from outside upon Nature, Lewis discusses whether this should be properly described as an “invasion”. When we look at the actual results of the interaction of Nature and Rationality, when Rationality enters Nature, then Nature is given order, purpose and meaning. Nature of itself does not provide this. It only provides a series of events following certain other events. It doesn’t actually make sense of them. For that is an act of Reason. When Nature tries to subsume Rationality into itself, making reason into a blind mechanism, then Nature succeeds not only in destroying reason, but ultimately, also destroys itself – condemns itself to being without purpose or reason. (Fortunately, says Lewis, the Naturalists often forget the theory they hold, and act in a human and rational way.)

The rest of this online article is available for current subscribers.

Start your subscription today!


This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Articles from the Most Recent Issue

Inspired Through Art: Our Preferential Option for the Poor
By Jem Sullivan
“The option or love of preference for the poor . . . is an option, or a special form of primacy in the exercise of Christian charity, to which the whole tradition of the Church bears witness. It affects the life of each Christian inasmuch as he or she seeks to imitate the life of Christ, but it applies equally to our social responsibilities and... Read more
From the Shepherds: Serving the Poor: Taking Five Steps with Two Feet
By Bishop William Wack, CSC
Free When I served as director of André House, a ministry of hospitality to the poor and homeless in downtown Phoenix, we often spoke about “the two feet of service”: direct service to those in need and working for justice and a long-term solution. Both are important, and each one informs and strengthens the other. Inspired by Dorothy Day and under the... Read more
Radically Available
By Lani Bogart
Free In prayer after receiving Holy Communion, I recognized in my heart the voice of God the Father. “I want you to be radically available.” As Director of Religious Education in a large parish, I had an idea of what it meant to be radically available while working full time. It meant being available to God by showing up for daily Mass and prayer. It... Read more

Pages

Watch Tutorial Videos

We've put together several quick and easy tutorial videos to show you how to use this website.

Watch Now