February 19, 2013 Martin Mallon (Ireland) Martin's previous articles
A
Meaningful Life
There
are many articles currently about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who will
be the next Pope and how that will affect current church structures and the
running of the church. This is important for our church and we need to pray that
the Holy Spirit ensures that a Pope will be selected who will guide the church
in the direction the Spirit desires. However, this article will focus on a more
important topic, the meaning of life. We will begin by touching lightly on
philosophy.
Philosophy
means nothing to the average person. What is philosophy?
It is to do with the love and pursuit of wisdom. The
basic question philosophy asks is "why is there something rather than
nothing?" We philosophise when we reflect on the whole of reality and its
ultimate meaning. Think about it; your answer to that question is fundamental
and guides your life, hence philosophy is very relevant to everyone.
In
today’s world many believe that science has or can explain everything. This is
incorrect, scientists may be able to explain how a lot of things work, but they
have never explained why there is something rather than nothing. Science does
not ask that question, it explains how what is there works.
Scientists
like Charles Darwin have explained how life evolved, but they have not been able
to explain how to create life or to explain the origin of the initial spark of
life. Scientists know all the elements needed for life to begin, yet they still
do not know how to create a living being. It is not surprising that
Eventually
scientists will discover how to generate life. Perhaps. This brings us back to
the original philosopher’s question, why is there something rather than
nothing? Science has no answer to this question; science attempts to explain how
creation works. God is my answer to this question, "why is there something
rather than nothing?"
He created us to live with him eternally in love. God is loving
communion, that of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; and we are invited
to share in this loving communion. We do not merit such love, it is a free gift
from God. Jesus explained this to us.
Until
each of us arrives at an answer to the philosopher’s question we have no
direction in our lives, we have no goal, we have no explanation as to why we are
here. I think it is important to have some idea as to why I am here and God
gives my life meaning. If I am correct I live a meaningful life, a life full of
joy, even in adversity, and after death, eternal bliss with God. If I am wrong I
live a meaningful life, a life full of joy, even in adversity, and then nothing
after death. This is the basis of Pascal’s Wager, named after Blaise Pascal
the seventeenth-century French philosopher, who maintained that any rational
person could understand that there was more to be gained from betting that God
existed than depending on atheism.
What
meaning and purpose do you receive from your answer to the philosopher’s
question?