Enormously improbable
Saturday Post
Good morning and happy Saturday,
Our Lenten journey has again come to an end and I want to share again an ancient homily about what Jesus was doing on Holy Saturday. You can read it here:
But this week I want to reflect on something else. On Wednesday, four astronauts blasted off from Earth on the Artemis II mission; its the first mission to send humans around the moon since the 1970s.
Astronomical discoveries, like those that could be made on Artemis II and subsequent missions, fascinate me because they demonstrate our human desire for knowledge, knowledge of both the universe and of its creator.
The more we discover about our world and the universe around it, the more it points to a creator.
The philosopher and Jesuit priest Fr. Robert Spitzer identifies three particularly scientific issues that point to a creator:
Space-Time Geometric Proof for Creation
The Law of Entropy
The Anthropic Coincidences in Creation
These have to do with the fact that things cannot happen because of themselves; there must be something to start things in motion or create them. Additionally, there is a very low level of disorder in the universe and the possibility of that happen by chance is also very low.
In a 2023 talk, Fr. Spitzer said our universe is “enormously improbable.” We live in an “incredibly difficult to explain, perfectly-designed-for-life universe.”
I hope that this Artemis II mission inspires people to dig deeper in to the intersections of science and faith.
Bishop Robert Barron (Winona-Rochester, Minnesota) said also in 2023, “a perceived incompatibility between faith and science has led to a rise in the number of religiously unaffiliated. This perception runs counter to the experience of the Catholic tradition, which conveys the beautiful harmony between faith and science.”
Space missions can change that, even if it is not explicitly mentioned in any subsequents reports. The images and descriptions themselves can spark wonder and ping the part of the mind that wants to know more. Learning more, as we see from Fr. Spitzer and other Catholic scientists, points us to God.
For further viewing:
Jonathan Lunine, chief scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) and the founding vice president of the Society of Catholic Scientists, joins “EWTN News Nightly:”
Live Artemis II stream from NASA:
This week on UP North Catholic:
Matthew shares some Easter reflections and discusses the future of the program.
You can also find the show on Sundays here on PurpleCatholic.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord
Depending on when you go to Mass this Sunday, your readings will be different. I have linked them below for ease of access:
You can watch the Easter Vigil with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican at 2:45p eastern on the Vatican News YouTube channel.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Psalm 118:1
In the news:
The United States
USCCB president asks Catholics to ‘pray ardently’ for an end to war with Iran - Angelus News
Why Catholicism is drawing on Gen Z men - The Washington Post
Trump administration orders investigation into Noelia Castillo’s euthanasia - Crux
Via Crucis, 2026 - George Weigel in Denver Catholic
The Vatican
Pope Leo’s Triduum plans: What’s new? - The Pillar
Is Archbishop Peña Parra’s new job an exile, or probation? - Ed. Condon in the Pillar
The World
Holy Week in a Time of War - The editors of the National Catholic Register
Jerusalem churches reach temporary deal with Israeli authorities over Holy Week access - EWTN News
‘The best decision I’ve ever made’ - Australia sees surge in adults entering Church - The Pillar
Have a good weekend,
Matthew