God is Not Logical

We've read the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44-46) in the daily readings for last Sunday and again today. My son and I were talking about these readings and, because he is the first born, he told me that he never particularly liked these readings because the actions seem so reckless and irresponsible. To sell everything you have for one treasure? Why would anyone do that? He's right, of course, when you consider worldly sayings like, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket," or even the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence (cautiousness) and Temperance (moderation, self-control). It's just not the smart or logical thing to do!

Of course, everything about God is illogical! God defies common sense. Jesus' teachings are counter-intuitive and even seem foolish. G.K. Chesterton described these paradoxes as, "Truth standing on her head to attract attention." Two examples of the illogical ways of God are:  a baby King born poor in order to "go behind enemy lines" (C. S. Lewis) or Jesus' death on the cross; out of suffering and defeat often comes victory. Jesus' teachings are also counter-intuitive. All eight Beatitudes defy logic as do many of the parables like the Prodigal Son, the Sower and the Seed, and the Mustard Seed. Paradoxical statements, ideas, or stories get our attention because of their contradiction and motivate us to resolve the contradiction by learning and reflection. Maybe God's wisdom is not backward. Maybe ours is.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and The Pearl of Great Price cause us to imagine a treasure so valuable that nothing else matters; that we would risk everything else to possess it. That treasure is Jesus. No wealth, pleasure, power, or honor is worth more than Jesus. If we understand the Gospel correctly, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it," (Matthew 16:25) then following the example of the "person" or the "merchant" in these parables is the only logical way to live.




Credit:
Pathos, "Happy Are We: Father Robert Barron Unpacks the Teachings of Jesus"
Gary DeLashmutt "Backward Wisdom of God"