Franciscans of Life

When scientists began to explore the world around them, they discovered that the Creator had given rules to the natural world: biology, physics, chemistry, earth science…it is contrary to the nature of the Creator to endow us with access to these rules so we may use them to destroy each other.

The question remains: “Why did the Creator intend humanity to explore the laws of nature and use their properties?” The God that called and keeps all things into existence, also ordered them throughout space and time to be observable and accessible to human beings, each at its proper time and place. God did not simply create nuclear physics as he created agriculture: how would nuclear physics enhance the lives of primitive human beings?

It stands to reason that the Creator, who lives outside of time and space, would have every branch of science “alive” in His mind for all eternity. God does not simply wake up one morning, yawn, trapse out of bed, and drag Himself to a kitchen for a cup of coffee before He can begin creating. Since God is alive beyond our space and time, He is continuously creating and informing nature of the laws and properties by which it is governed. He has given humanity the will to explore beyond our bubble, the intellect to comprehend what we find, and the virtues to govern how we use this knowledge.

We can identify an insurmountable amount of knowledge that man has discovered, wherein he abused his freedom, ignored virtue, and used what God has ingrained into nature to feed his obsession with power and wealth. Thus, we find ourselves engaged in wars and conflicts in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and the Pacific Ocean. Thanks to the irresponsible actions of scientists and politicians, almost everything that we have discovered is analyzed to determine if it can be weaponized for power and wealth. Not so often do scientists apply their discoveries for the good of humanity and world peace.

Take a count of the number of Russians and Ukrainians who have died, lost their families and homes, and financial resources, because two political opponents engage in a deadly military confrontation “for the nation’s good”. Ukrainians and Russians are using war machines that rely on the laws of physics and chemistry!

We should pray for the North Korean and American armed forces who engage daily in “tests” and military tease demonstrations meant to intimidate rather than invite each other to the table of honest fraternal dialogue that seeks the good – especially of those who would be passive victims of political and military conflict that runs the risk of destroying human beings who have no voice in science or politics.

Like our holy father Saint Francis, the Franciscans of Life subscribe to the same practice of virtue: “Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, all praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessings“. Everything has been created by the same God who created humanity. All the laws of the universe are created by the Lawgiver, the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As did our holy father Saint Francis of Assisi, we do not think, we know that every human being is our brother or sister, because we all came into existence by the Will of the Father, were redeemed by the Son, and are guided by the voice of the Holy Spirit (if we care to listen). “And God looked upon all that He had made and, indeed, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31)

We believe that every scientific discovery has existed in the mind of God throughout eternity, and is discovered by us at a time, place, and by people who can use their discovery to enhance and protect humanity and the world.

Whether or not we evolved from a lower lifeform, came into existence because of the “Big Bang”, or were created in six days, should not be the questions on the table right now. The question on the table is: what are the means that God has given us to cooperate with the Divine Will: “I came that all may have life, and have it in abundance”?   

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