Three months later... another blog post... trying to be suspenseful, of course.
I am taking a course this semester titled 'The Qur'an and Its Relation to the Bible'. Being very uneducated about the Islamic faith, the Qur'an, Muhammad, and just about anything having to do with the Middle East, I have found this class incredibly fascinating. Often times I find myself thinking, 'Islam seems so mythical!' However, this opens me to a better and deeper understanding of my Catholic faith, for C.S. Lewis said, "Now the story of Christ is simply a true myth...."
Throughout this class, I have learned many lessons about my own faith and seen many connections, but I want to focus on just one thing in particular. In sura (chapter) 5 of the Qur'an, verse 83 reads, "When they hear what has been sent down to the messenger, you can see their eyes overflow with tears because of the truth they recognize." In this verse, the 'they' refers to Christians and the messenger refers to Muhammad. This is a fairly common and effective tactic of proving that the Qur'an is the real, true Word of God. For if even the Christians weep at this truth and convert, then it must be true.
While reading the Qur'an, I have not found myself weeping, but I think that this verse has truth behind it. Sometimes, when something so true and so beautiful becomes evident to us humans, we are inclined to cry at the truth and beauty. This year I have been blessed with being able to explore my faith deeply on many different levels, in Mass, in the classroom, in my homework, in my prayer life, and particularly in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This last one has begun to take its hold onto me. In the culmination of all of these direct experiences with my faith and God, I have occasionally found myself drawn to tears. Seeing the truth in the myth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who laid down His life for me and you overwhelms me. Nothing is more beautiful than the truth of God's love for His people. A couple times this week, the realization of how true this is engulfed me and I was filled with awe.
Nobody can explain God's love for us: He came down from heaven to be with us... He died for us... He tells us to EAT Him. WHAT?! That's absurd! Yet, it is the truth. Reflecting on the truth of God's love for us and the grandeur of the God that decided to humble Himself for us is a very awe-inspiring, beautiful, and overwhelming experience that can only lead one to tears as the truth begins to dawn.
Ave Crux, Spes Unica
