Admittedly, I couldn't tell you what pi is....I know it's 3.14 and then a whole bunch of other numbers....what they mean and what pi is used for....can't say. I can, however, tell you what pie is and why this day sicks with me (and my ribs and legs and...well you get the pun....) as it's an occasion, as if we need one, to have pie!
My limited knowledge of pi and my preference to focus instead on pie highlights my relationship with the man whose birthday we recognized today, Albert Einstein.
Me, I'm an. English major. I like books and reading; I enjoy poetry; I'm drawn more to the possibility of things and am open to various interpretations. Therefore, no surprise, I was horrible at math and science; all those facts and formulas and this is how it is concrete thinking. I resisted and ran from scientific thought. Then I grew up and have come to appreciate science and find my faith life deepened by science. Side note ---- I still blow at math......
My maturity moved from dualistic us/them, faith/science, either/or thinking to a both/and way of reflecting and understanding. In my opinion, faith thinkers need to be buddies with science thinkers. These days, there should be in every congregation a prayer or thanks and WOW for the science community and their diligence and smarts and commitment as we now have 3 viable vaccines!
Early in my ministry, a parishioner was having surgery and on the morning of her surgery, I went early to the hospital to see her, offer support and provide perhaps the greatest of ministerial gifts, being present with another. Into the pre-op room came the surgeon to check on his patient and go over more of the "what was going to happen" and to give her some calm. The surgeon then looked at me donning my clergy collar and asked if I would have prayer with him present and before going back to the OR. There was a moment and a lesson.... a connection of the two schools of thought.
Faith and science must support and learn from each other...there is a wonderful opportunity to be in concert with each other and to broaden our respective perspectives. Personally, I can admire the geese coming back in the spring. My appreciation is deepened when I learn about the "why" behind migration and what seems to be an inner need in all to come back home.
