Knowledge

In a thriving business, it is said that the executive knows something about everything, the technician knows everything about something, and the switchboard operator knows everything about everything.

Of course, not even snooping operators know everything about everything--my catechism says that only God is omniscient. Moreover, his universal knowledge is not only of the “nonsnooping” type but even the nonreasoning type; it doesn’t result from discursive reasoning, drawing conclusions, or even observation. It’s a total, absolute, and simultaneous grasp of everything about everything in his creation, in every dimension of its reality--physical, moral, purposeful, functional, existential, and dynamic. Just acknowledging that overwhelming prerogative of his is enough to foster a deep sense of trust in his workings in us, insignificant as we seem.

Now let’s put aside the microscope and use a telescope, as we peer beyond the natural gifts to the supernatural. As mentioned earlier, only the most exquisitely grace-responsive souls will receive the very special supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, as listed in Isaiah 11:2-3. St. Thomas Aquinas explains how the supernatural Gift of Wisdom (see chapter 63 of this book) enables the soul to appreciate the mind of God in a mystical and ethereal way. The supernatural Gift of Understanding, he says, is far beyond human natural understanding (see chapter 64); it enables the person to fathom, with profound insights, the deeper meanings in God’s revelation, especially in his holy Word. By the supernatural Gift of Knowledge, teaches St. Thomas, this all-knowing God bestows a supernatural, transcendent share in his divine way of perceiving creatures as he intends them to relate to his will. Thus, the “God’s-eye-view” of divine things is called wisdom, the “God’s-eye-view” of his revelation is called understanding, and the “God’s-eye-view” of human things is called knowledge. (An in-depth purview of these noncharismatic gifts is available in my 6-hour tape, Where Do I Go From Here?)    Endless debates rage at every turn regarding the morality or immorality of artificial contraception, abortion, homosexual practices, mercy-killing (euthanasia), “death-with-dignity” suicide, the existence of a spirit of divorce in one’s home, or a spirit of addiction; the degree of compulsion in clinical pedophilia; whether a given war is morally justified, and so on. Theologians grapple with these matters with their academic expertise, using their finely honed natural knowledge. However, their conclusions carry a conviction that falls far below that of the soul that enjoys the supernatural Gift of Knowledge. For such a soul, no array of persuasive proofs is needed; with simple and overwhelming clarity and certitude, the favored soul--even if uneducated and without any theological background--views such matters precisely as God views them, unquestioningly and imperturbably.

The Holy Spirit of truth saturates such a person with clear judgment about what is true and what is false. Moreover, this will be grasped without even a hint of narrow-mindedness, prejudice, or bigotry. In the words of St. John, “Whoever knows God listens . . . and whoever is not from God does not listen. . . . From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 Jn 4:6).

Now consider the virtue of trust in God in the context of the Gift of Knowledge. In enabling us to form sure judgments about human issues, our trust becomes as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar--not with the arrogance of a know-it-all bigot, but with a God-fused certitude as strong as the certitude of one’s own existence. As Jesus stated it, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” (Jn 14:26).

Once that gift is granted, there is boundless trust in knowing what is good and bad, what is true and false, in even the most controversial and complicated moral, ethical, and doctrinal issues. Few people have this gift, but if everyone had it, there would be no possibility for religious arguments of any kind, no need for proselytizing, no need for evangelization, no need for teaching religion, as in the end times, when “they shall all be taught by God” (Jn 6:45; Is 54:13). What greater trust and security could we have than that?

This excerpt is from the book Pathways of Trust, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.