The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-08-25
POPULAR APoLoeETIcs.
Adapted from the German of Rev.
Peter Mikes, S. j., by Rev.
James Watcher.
IS. Mysteries and Enlightenment.

IS. Mysteries and Enlightenment.
Objections: The mysteries of Ma
ture, e. g., of optics, electricity, gravi-
tation disappear always more and
more with the progress Of SCIENCE
But the mysteries of religion are
seven-fold seals and are not to be I'M
darstood even after revelation, at
least not the real mysteries. AS a
man of enlightenment | can not recon
cile myself with this everlasting dark
ness.
Answer: Our tastes agree pretty
well; an everlasting darkness would
not suit me either. Happily this dark
ness of the mysteries lasts only a
short time, till the light of a better
world beyond dawns as a reward of
reasonable subsection to the revealed
truths of God, the vision of God face
to face, and thus we are to see clearly
these truths forever.
But on the contrary, this prema-
ture, proud Observation-Disclosures and
enlightenment will be turned into
everlasting darkness, and that is just
the critical part of your taste.
1t angers and mortifies infidels very
much that they must acknowledge the
limitations of human reason; in their
pride they do not want to bow before
higher authority, not even before
God 'Eritis sicut dii-you will be
like gods" Mephisto laughs sarcastic
cally, "iust follow the old saying and
my aunt, the serpent, you surely will
one day be frightened by your god
likeness" (Goethes Faust).
10. Unnecessary Darkness.
Objection: When a man hears
words he generally likes to think
something, to have ideas. But with
the absolute mysteries even after be-
ing stated, they remain dark and in
comprehensive, and we can form no
idea of them. Of what benefit are
they therefore?
Answer: y Don't exaggerate!
These mysteries give us many ideas,
so that many books are written and
big volumes are filled with disputa-
tons about them.
These mysteries are not absolutely
dark. Take for instance the mystery
of the Holy Trinity. The sentence:
In God there is one nature and three
persons, is.not totally dark; every sin
gle idea is comprehensive; only the
combination of these ideas can not,
even after revelation, be understood
in its inner nature by reason; but for
that the testimony of God is SUM-
Gent We know that it is so, but, not
how If is - ---A -.A-- ~ - -
In a similar way we know that
magnetism and electricity work ac-
cording to certain laws, but how they
do that and why, their inner nature,
is unknown to a created mind. Is
therefore our knowledge Of these
forces of no use? The grand progress
of electrotechnics gives the answer.
q You ask: what can | think
or imagine with all these mysteries
Very much For example: That
in God there is quite a different and
more wonderful inner life than in
creatures and happiness of which
philosophy has no idea. In the won
derful love of the three Divine Per-
sons toward one another Good is
charity') all human love, especially in
the social order (matrimony, family,
parish, society, etc., finds it's highest
ideal and most powerful motive.
Without the Trinity, the Incarnation
of the Son of God, the Redemption
and the whole economy of salvation
of Christianity would become incom-
prehensible. But what thoughts arise
from these mysteries, what lofty
ideas of Gods love, wisdom, justice
and mercy we obtain, how mighty the
growth of the religious life therefrom,
is plainly shown by Christianity and
the Christian life Christian culture
and civilization rest on the mysteries
of Christianity.
"To all the great and beautiful
which Christianity in science and
art, in law and moral life has created,
the mysteries, especially of the Trim
ity, Incarnation, Redemption and the
Holy Eucharist, have given the great
est impulses" (Hettinger, Apologize,
vol. 2, PIP. 25-49).
Therefore think first before you
criticise Christianity!