Now read the quote from one of the most important, privileged and distinguished scientist in America---Carl Sagan. Google his name and read about him. Read his impressive titles and credentials. Look at his important smile. He knows he's important.
In fact, even pot smokers love him. Here's a quote from the web hailing Sagan for his pot induced genius. "Astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist...It’s hard to argue for pot slowing you down when you look at Carl Sagan’s record. Apparently a confirmed and admitted stoner, among his many achievements are a Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy, a best-selling novel, as well as more than 500 science papers and articles. He was a founding member of the Planetary Society, and he won a pipe load of scientific awards. Hardly surprising, he is said to have believed in the validity of stoned insights." (1)
In fact, even pot smokers love him. Here's a quote from the web hailing Sagan for his pot induced genius. "Astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist...It’s hard to argue for pot slowing you down when you look at Carl Sagan’s record. Apparently a confirmed and admitted stoner, among his many achievements are a Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy, a best-selling novel, as well as more than 500 science papers and articles. He was a founding member of the Planetary Society, and he won a pipe load of scientific awards. Hardly surprising, he is said to have believed in the validity of stoned insights." (1)
Now I'm not by any means proposing that we all jump on the marijuana bandwagon. In fact, I'm a non smoker and believe that genius comes from God, not cannabis. I believe that we can tap into the genius of God if we so choose. In my humble opinion, it's a matter of faith. The mind is a powerful and influential organ. Psychologist have purported for years that our mind, out thoughts and our beliefs truly make up how we live, who we are. Scripture and great spiritual writers have captured the essence of this reality: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
But---This is a blog about God and our significance, so allow me to continue. I could write forever on Mr. Sagan, but he's not really that important---or is he? God says he is! Let's read Psalm 139 and imagine that this is Carl Sagan expressing his importance.
"Oh God, You have searched me, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue...you Oh God...know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb...I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be...."
But---This is a blog about God and our significance, so allow me to continue. I could write forever on Mr. Sagan, but he's not really that important---or is he? God says he is! Let's read Psalm 139 and imagine that this is Carl Sagan expressing his importance.
"Oh God, You have searched me, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue...you Oh God...know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb...I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be...."
Now wouldn't it be nice for some of us if we were insignificant. We wouldn't have to take responsibility for anything. Our actions would just be undirected, random chemical reactions and haphazard happenings. No one on this pale blue dot would ever have to seek truth, strive for any virtue or commit any noble deed.
But consider the following: Our earth is just the right size, just the right distance, tilt, revolution and rotation around the sun; it has just the right temperature, just the right moon, just the right atmosphere, just the right amount of water, just the right amount of life giving oxygen or has just the right conditions to be alive! This pale blue dot is alive! We are not a lonely speck. And the consciousness in us is the same consciousness in the universe. There is power emanating from that pale blue dot.
Close your eyes. Now imagine. Imagine you are on Mars. It's cold. It's dark. It's lonely. It's desolate. It's lifeless. Did you visualize that? Wow! You can visualize things. You can visualize yourself beyond the universe into another universe. You can visualize great things...anything in fact! Anything! You can visualize anything good or evil. The pale blue dot is nothing---without God!
My Catholic tradition has taught me that God, the creator of the universe has invited me into history; she's taught me that God has invited me to participate with him in his creation. My Catholic tradition has taught me that everything in the universe has his fingerprint on it. My Catholic tradition has taught me that God is concerned with this pale blue dot. My Catholic tradition has taught me that we as humans are made in his image. And that doesn't surprise me in the least.
My Catholic tradition has taught me that God, the creator of the universe has invited me into history; she's taught me that God has invited me to participate with him in his creation. My Catholic tradition has taught me that everything in the universe has his fingerprint on it. My Catholic tradition has taught me that God is concerned with this pale blue dot. My Catholic tradition has taught me that we as humans are made in his image. And that doesn't surprise me in the least.
In fact, many before me believed as I do. Monseigner Georges Lemaître, renowned astronomer, physicist and priest influenced Pope Pius XII, although he didn't like to mix science with religion according to a web article. The Msgr. also expressed that "the cross and the gospel were enough." So I feel certain that he would have agreed with me in saying that God is the ultimate scientist. "He" is also author and finisher of our faith, that God is interested in more than just our existence, that God wants us to experience with "him" all that "he" is, and that science is a gift from "him." Learn more about Monseigner George Lemaître here: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8847 . Also, take a peek at the many other Catholics who were also very influential scientists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Catholic_scientists. And remember, our importance is not a delusion---perhaps a mystery, but not a delusion.
(1) http://coed.com/2011/02/02/the-10-smartest-pot-smokers-on-the-planet-cool-enough-to-admit-it/
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