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Faith Matters: Blaise Pascal taught us that Faith and Reason can Live in Harmony
Brilliant scientist and philosopher’s pursuit of truth honoured by Pope Francis
By Gerard Bergie Contributing Columnist
Saturday, July 15, 2023
In June, Pope Francis published an Apostolic Letter marking the 400th anniversary of the birth of Blaise Pascal. It is titled “Sublimitas et Miseria Hominis” (The Grandeur and Misery of Man).
Pascal, who lived a relatively short life (1623-62), was a brilliant mathematician, physicist, engineer and philosopher. He developed the first mechanical adding machine, which proved to be a precursor to the modern-day computer. Blaise Pascal was one of the first intellectuals to deal with the role of faith in relation to science and reason.
He was committed to the pursuit of truth through reason. In his Apostolic Letter, Pope Francis calls him “a tireless seeker of truth.”
Blaise Pascal was also a man of faith. He maintained throughout his life that it was reasonable to believe. For him, faith and reason were complementary and not fixed in opposition. He acknowledged that reason had limits because it could not answer all the questions that face humankind.
Pascal understood that science alone could not adequately satisfy the longing in each human heart regarding the meaning of our existence and purpose. Nor could technology provide for us an eternal paradise.
In his Apostolic Letter, Pope Francis speaks about an event in the life of Blaise Pascal that was transformational. It was a mystical experience that touched him deeply.
On Nov. 23, 1654, when Pascal was 31 years old, he had a profound encounter that changed his life. He was reminded that God is not some abstract concept or cosmic reality. God is involved with persons and in the ordinary. This personal encounter brought him peace, joy and a profound certitude regarding the existence of God.
This experience had such a profound effect on him that he wrote it down on a small piece of paper and had it sewn into the lining of his jacket. He called it ‘Memorial’ and it was only discovered after his death.
This is what he wrote: “GOD of Abraham, GOD of Isaac, GOD of Jacob not of the philosophers and of the learned. Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace. GOD of Jesus Christ. My God and your God. Your GOD will be my God. Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except GOD. He is only found by the ways taught in the Gospel. Grandeur of the human soul. Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you. Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy. I have departed from him: They have forsaken me, the fount of living water. My God, will you leave me? Let me not be separated from him forever. This is eternal life, that they know you, the one true God, and the one that you sent, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. I left him; I fled him, renounced, crucified. Let me never be separated from him. He is only kept securely by the ways taught in the Gospel: Renunciation, total and sweet. Complete submission to Jesus Christ and to my director. Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on the earth. May I not forget your words. Amen” (Memorial).
From this moment forward, Blaise Pascal devoted himself more fervently to deepening his faith and his works of charity to the poor and those in need in a spirit of love.
This can be seen in his great work “Pensées,” in which he wrote eloquently about the complementary relationship of human reason and the Christian faith. He also proclaimed the joy of following Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life.
I believe that after 400 years, the message of Blaise Pascal continues to resonate in a world dominated by science and technology. It is reasonable to have faith.