Dear Friends, Colleagues, Family and Benefactors:
Evolution as a theory has been and remains a highly functional philosophical tool for analyzing points of complexity between diverse and dispersed aspects of the universe. This helps bring some semblance of order to a work whose majesty defies any simple explanation. Species and their individual members, extant and extinct, can nicely be presented in sequence or sequences, branch or branches that recognize relationships. As a point of reference Evolutionary Theory becomes polemic when people treat it more as fantasy Or as law and “absolute” in itself, neither of which it is.
Timing intervals concerning evolution in years, centuries and millennia can cover millions and even billions of years. Their order and breadth are magnificent especially if one considers time as invariable in itself. However variability makes its presence in all of this. It can come from density factors regarding matter, space, time and even velocity (e.g. black holes). Thus, gaps, questions and outright holes can arise in the data.
A recent discovery identified a hominoid (human-like creature) dating to more than 1.4 million years past. This “being” had the capacity to walk upright (rather than only on all four legs) and also to climb trees. My age notwithstanding (63 years), this one could well be ME.
Overall I find some glee in the fact that I have some (many?) essential attributes of a supposedly extinct ancestor. Extinction has a crucial place with the Theory of Evolution. Some (many?) known species have no known extant (living) representatives but apparently had such representatives in ages past. Their continuing definition lies in their continuing genetic codes. Newly discovered species, recognized through recently identified specimens, require full taxonomic classification, also based on their genetic codes.
The entire process for both extinct and extant species nicely finds foundation in genetic codes. Complications arise for “beings” that have no known genetic codes. Their taxonomic classification can present problems, yet their existence is most objective. Angels, demons, guardians, messengers can all fit in this category. Even Almighty God can be troubling to our taxonomic classification system. He is above and beyond it. Yet His subtle presence among us is objective and most recognizable.
The Divine Presence took the human nature some 2000 years past with the arrival of Jesus Christ in this world. Subtle and gently, that presence was and remains definite to this day. We celebrate His arrival in Judeo-Christian Tradition at the Hanukkah, Christmas-New Year’s Season, not as a system of biological classification but as a sacramental presence that blesses and attracts the whole of creation to and for immortal glory. I pray that you accept your part in this glory and celebrate it with a:
Joyful Christmas and Blessed New Year of 2010!
Humbly in Jesus Christ
Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.