PAROQUIA – Nossa Senhora do ROSÁRIO
Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima 11 November, 2014 XLIV:3
Trav. Carlos Portes, 171
62.900-000 Russas, Ceará e-mail: [email protected]
Dear Family, Friends, Collaborators, Colleagues & Benefactors:
“Tradition” is tricky word, as once referenced in these epistles (LXIII:2) with a diversity of definitions that can vary from uninformed habit to vigorous transcendence. The prior connotes mere repetition while the later denotes lively direction. Repetitive declaration reflects little more than training at the level of habit. However a vigorous transcendence indicates supernatural guidance.
It is this guidance that inspires legitimate questioning, enquiry and research that address the mysteries of nature, the universe and creation. It is usually associated with the spiritual disciplines and the rich teachings that centuries and even millennia of revelation and research have contributed to a “communion” of inspiration from diverse spiritual origins.
However it is this same vigorous guidance that underlies solid progress in the more abstract, “hard” sciences of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Such vigor lies at the foundations of vibrant dogma and in Truth that gives reference and substance to inspired questions in every science. More than apologetic in direction, valid tradition employs ancient truths as references to help direct research, through rigorous questioning of creation and its origins. Vibrant tradition is a directed inquiry by those committed to Truth and its manifestation.
Such tradition is clearly manifest in the “references cited” section (and many not cited) of articles of distinguished peer-review journals whose “read” is usually penetrating, dense and dry (anything but entertaining), yet crucial to progress guided by Almighty God. Distinct from the apologetics of many news reports, such “research writing” strives for maximum objectivity, divorced (as much as possible) from any bias. It is anything but mainstream literature. Yet it can be “classic” in content and presentation.
A plethora of legitimate Transcendental Traditions abound. Ignored, many times, because of their mystery, dispersion, diversity and completeness, they CANNOT be tested by modern “scientific method”. Yet the truth they reference and manifest is solid. Being as such these Traditions frighten many. Every one of these legitimate traditions reflects guidance by Almighty God. In this they all have a common and legitimate value.
We celebrate two of the most profound of these traditions in the Judeo-Christian festivals of Hanukkah and Christmas, as we commemorate the incarnate arrival of the Savior, Jesus Christ into the world, cognoscente that they (and we) hold communion with all other legitimate spiritual traditions that seek God with a “..sincere heart..” (Catholic Missal, Eucharistic Prayer 4). Humbly aware of this communion, I wish all of you a:
BLESSED HANUKKA-YULTIDE-CHRISTMAS season and HAPPY NEW YEAR of 2015!
Most sincerely in Christ
Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.