Laws of Physics

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One of Newton’s laws of Physics says that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This says that if you punch a brick wall with your fist, the brick wall is applying an equal reaction to your fist. Implying that if you hit the wall hard enough you will break bones in your fist. In my thinking, a similar law applies to much of human nature. If you don’t like me the normal reaction is that I don’t like you. You say something nasty to me, so I say something nasty to you. And so on. That’s why the Christian message is so counter intuitive. Saying “love your enemy” is the opposite of what human nature demands. That’s what makes Christianity so demanding, and at the same time so beautiful. So much of the Christian message from commandments to the beatitudes is opposed to our human natures and at the same times asks us to elevate ourselves from practices that devalue us. What this asks us to do is something we find difficult to do. There is another of the Newtonian laws that says a body in motion tends to remain in motion, and a body at rest tends to remain at rest. Meaning that to change the status of a physical body requires the application of an outside force. So too in human nature. To be able to love your enemy (contrary to human nature) requires that an outward force be applied. I believe that outward force is what we refer to as grace. That grace can come to us in many forms and in many ways, but ultimately it is the gift of the Lord that is enabled by our openness and acceptance of it. If as I believe, we have a free will, then in some sense I can choose to live my human nature or I can be open to the gifts that help me shape that human nature. That brings to mind a quote I read, “Man is the only animal crated by God and given the task of completing himself”. That task then in my mind extends to the task of completing society, and yes, even completing the church.