Vespers and Mass at the Benedictine monastery in Samos, Galicia, Spain, is somewhat indescribable. Despite the difference in language, the familiarity was warming - no, not familiarity, but rather intimacy. However, the unfamiliar setting of one if the oldest monasteries in Western Europe stirred an experience of timeless otherworldliness.
To those atheists and Dawkins fans (and I use the phrase most pejoratively), this is neither delusional nor puerile fantasy. There is a tangibility here that cannot be measured - such is love, consciousness, beauty, even God. To those who would say that one could better deal would love and consciousness with investigating levels of chemical - oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, et al - I say "Go for it!" Let's learn all that we can about the physical nature of all these things. After all, Catholics, among other believers, have been some of the best scientists that this world has seen. Catholics, among other believers, have also been some of the greatest philosophers and artists dealing with reason and beauty within the context of faith.
There is something tangible but yet immeasurable about us. There is something about humanity that gives us the dignity of seeing beyond the beautifully physical. There is something about us that allows us to see God. That something is God himself and we who are made in his image.
Thank you Benedictine Monastery of Samos for deepening the meager faith of this pilgrim.
Not this guy, I meant me.
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