Have you ever noticed how material realities often mirror spiritual realities?
Take light for example; the extent to which you understand the physics of the color “white”, will be the extent to which you understand the color “black”. This parallels good vs. evil. The more we understand “good”, the more clearly we can distinguish “evil”. Without a sound foundation in the former, we fail to comprehend the later, and the line between the two are blurred into a vast “gray area”.
Have you ever noticed that darkness can be a kind of light? It’s much easier to find the exit signs in a theater when all the lights are out. Can evil ever help us? Consider that if darkness can help us find light (like an exit sign), perhaps evil can give us the impetus to seek out the good.
Now consider a physical body. St. Paul compares the Church to a body at length in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ….”
I could go on and on about our bodies…Our bodies have a natural tendency to decay (this may remind us of Original Sin) and require healing from time to time (this may remind us of the sacrament of reconciliation). Serious sickness or injury can kill us (mortal sin). Minor things like a cold or a paper-cut only damage us (venial sin). But beware; even a paper-cut that never heals and is allowed to fester over time can kill you eventually (same with venial sin becoming mortal).
Below is a fascinating video about dopamine levels in the brain. Watch the video and see how certain amounts of voluntary physical stress, such as vigorous exercise, a cold shower or fasting can help us lead a happy life.
How does this relate to the spiritual life? People who lived centuries ago would know nothing of dopamine, but God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what makes us tick, both physically and spiritually. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jeremiah 1:5). The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, instructs the faithful about fasting and other modifications. This for our spiritual well-being and a weapon used in spiritual warfare, but additionally, it keeps happy and productive during our brief time here on Earth.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).
There are many overlaps… Physics to Creation.
Evil is “darkness of mind.. ” that darkness of mind extends to all realms of knowledge.
If not for Christ, (no Church, no Papacy, no Theology.. ) there would be no Science.
In a black hole, as in hell, there is no escape.
– there’s a sign on the door “All who enter abandon all hope.. ”
(sci fi fiction aside… )
The Arrow of Time goes forward, there will be no “next” time.
Why?
Because if there were, Lucifer would have found a way. “he knows what awaits him.”