Dear Readers,
A few weeks ago, I sat before a panel of people consisting of two professors and my cohort classmates. The time had come for me to defend my final paper for my master’s degree. That day, my usual nerves were nearly absent, and I thought: “I’ve got this.” As it turns out, my brain went on holiday, and my nerves surrounded me like a pack of hungry wolves. As I read my 10-minute presentation, both physical and mental strain ensued to the point that I thought I would not finish. During the next forty minutes, I was asked questions to defend how the content of my paper supported my thesis. Right off the bat, I was thrown by the first question: “Rita, what is a transcendental being?” Since most of my writing focused on answering that question, this one should have been easy. However, I knew I was in trouble; even though I heard myself speaking, my words were not really getting to the heart of the matter. Finally, one professor tried to save me by asking me to define what “is not a transcendental being” — he even prompted me with terms intended to help me. Finally, I learned he was trying to get me to say the word finite.
Well, I did well on my paper, passed my defense, and earned my degree. However, needless to say, the experience left me with some things to work out. Namely, why did my intellect succumb to my nerves, and what was the lesson to be learned? I think I reconciled the answers to each of these questions. As it turns out, the key focuses on the word I could not recollect during my defense — finite. And it is very providential that this searching came together Sunday, the day our Gospel message was from John 6!
First, as a finite being, I am limited in my nature, so I could not be as perfect as I wanted. And, with a strong desire to do well, was my own self-imposed need to be perfect. In other words, I was proud. I cared too much about what other people thought of me. I wanted honor. What’s the old saying – “pride goeth before the fall?” I think pride set me back and caused my disarray.
Second, the passage from John 6:24-35 reminds us to work for “the food that endures for eternal life.” Contrasting that to things I seek, the finite and limiting – it was a reminder that our goals need first to point toward God, the eternal source of happiness and plenitude. Then, seek that which does not perish – our heavenly home with the Trinity. All else fades and ends. All else is finite.
Some final thoughts: During this time, the Church focuses on John 6. John leads us to the source and summit of our faith, The Eucharist. A thoughtful reading may help towards the grace of understanding. If ever a time existed to take Jesus at His word, John 6 is that time!
The Catholic Thinker Movement 