We’ll say it’s #5, I can’t remember.  I certainly haven’t followed up on my promise to post weekly Pensees (thoughts) by Blaise Pascal.  The pace of news related to Ludlati and other things more directly related to our mission pushed these into the background.  But, we find ourselves with a bit of a lull, which I am only too happy to fill.  Here goes:

This is our true state; this is what makes us incapable of certain knowledge and of absolute ignorance. We sail within a vast sphere, ever drifting in uncertainty, driven from end to end. When we think to attach ourselves to any point and to fasten to it, it wavers and leaves us; and if we follow it, it eludes our grasp, slips past us, and vanishes for ever. Nothing stays for us. This is our natural condition and yet most contrary to our inclination; we burn with desire to find solid ground and an ultimate sure foundation whereon to build a tower reaching to the Infinite. But our whole groundwork cracks, and the earth opens to abysses.

For context… this particular thought from Pascal is grouped with others expressing his observations on the state of man apart from God.  I think he could not have said it better.  I believe human nature, our true spirit, is in anguish without something truly permanent and solid to attach ourselves to.  We are willing to try to meet that need with almost anything, things that are at best unproductive, and are often destructive.  There is no answer other than “abiding in Christ” (see John 14-15).  I think we often fail to see and appreciate what a wonderful gift God gave us in removing our need to continue that search.  He is so good.  He is so perfectly what we need.  What a gift.  A gift that we should do our best to return to others in both physical and spiritual need.