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My dear master! Too long a time has passed since God in His goodness
last granted that we should meet. Now, as the days become years
and carry us further and further from our adventure together at that wealthy
Italian abbey,
I fear that I will never again be blessed by the sight of your kind
face and the resonance of your wisdom resounding in my ears. I hope
that the years have treated you well.
I do not know if word has reached you of my new appointment as an advisor
to the abbot of the southern Sicilian monastery. While this monastery
has humble roots, I will abandon modesty to let you, my teacher, know
that travelers from far and wide now come to study at our library. My
work brings me happiness and fulfillment, and I am ever grateful that
my parents chose to give my youth and life to the order.
My life is full of brightness, Master, but as of late there have been
clouds which threaten to infringe upon this calm. I have been experiencing
a sort of unease in my life. I am sorry to say that it is the very
root of my life, my
understanding of the Lord Christ and his Church, which cause me concern.
I am no longer sure if I truly understand that which I teach to the younger
monks. I know no one else to whom I may speak as freely and with so little
fear, William, and so I shall expound my concerns.
This may seem to be an elementary
concern, but the presence of such conflict within our faith has begun
to bother me immensely. We both know that I have been surrounded
by the Church's conflict since I was a youth, but it seems to me that
all I ever hear, from the religious and the secular alike, is talk of
the divisions and problems within the Church. I am ashamed that
my faith could be shaken by such an earthly concern, yet I cannot help
but wonder at the constant squabbling over various issues. I understand
the relevance of the poverty argument; Benedictines believe that it
is right to praise God with the wondrous bounties he has provided us,
while you Franciscans believe in following the example of a Savior whom
you believe was poor. Even the argument over the laughter could
be significant in everyday life. While the Rule of our order commands
that Jesus did not laugh, wise men have taught that men's laughter can
not only avoid blasphemy but be an actual celebration of God's wonders.
Despite these little conflicts, the problem that looms largest for me
is that of heresy. It has been quite some time since we last spoke
of this topic, William, yet I still wonder about it. It bothers
me to no end that the Church seems to select which facts it takes into
its doctrine on the basis of politics and not substance. How can
the Church claim to be the absolute source of knowledge when so many
of its actions are prompted by shifts of power and money? I would
appreciate any insights you might have. It is clear to be upon writing
this that I have no specific complaint that could lend itself to a simple
solution. But the spiritual malaise that I feel is like nothing
I have ever known, and it is in some ways terrifying. During the
darker parts of bygone years, you often had comforting words for me.
Forever your loyal student,
Adso
My apprentice of bygone days, it brings me joy to hear that you are
well. I look back with fond memories on the days when I journeyed
around the continent, tasting adventure in my attempts to serve God and
understand His creation. I am now sure that the next journey I take
will be that to our Father in his heavenly
kingdom.
So, you say that you are experiencing not doubts, but questions.
My dear Adso, you cannot feel badly at having questions! If you
had no questions, you would not be living in appreciation of God's gift
of intelligence to mankind. You have clearly heard the perspective
of St Benedict and the Rule, as well as that of Thomas and the current
Vatican theologians. I could tell you that your frustrations are
bred of your new roles within the monastery, but by that I would be avoiding
the substance of your query. I find that in times when intellectual
arguments are unsatisfying, one can experience enlightenment through great
works of art. Do not let this surprise you, Adso; I am expressing
no abandonment of my academic devotion. However, a lifetime has
led me to understand that the great truths of the universe, which God
does not always allow to be clearly articulated through language, are
sometimes expressed with grace through the blessings of artistic talent.
I shall describe to you a number of works that I, in my travels, have
ventured across. You briefly address the issue of wealth. Much of the
art of our time is ornate and expensive. It is crafted with a philosophy
that you should appreciate; that God deserves the best material objects
which man can offer Him. We humble Franciscans, given our simply
philosophy, do not commission artwork to abide by our simple philosophy.
However, the painting St. Augustine Preaching at Hippona
Before Bishop Valere illustrates an important point. The painting
is a realistic depiction of a monk, clad in a simple brown robe, preaching
before a bishop dressed all in gold. The bishop has a lower cleric
nearby, holding his
staff, and many attendants. However, St. Augustine is elevated
above the bishop and appears to be filled with the spirit of Christ.
All eyes are on him. Despite the various discrepancies in teachings
on such matters as wealth,
the ultimate goal of all true Christians is to best serve their Lord.
It is difficult to avoid being caught up theological debates, yet a simple
faith and love for Christ will always be a state worth striving to reach.
I can only agree that it is not holy for political affairs to drive
the teachings of our great Church. Of course the Pope, even if he
is not a just Pope, will continue to preach his own infallibility.
Such is the nature of the faith to which we both subscribe. Christianity
is a faith of love and redemption, but as the one true religion it must
be spread, even to the unwilling. At least such is the stance of
the Church. In San Miguel Expelling Satan from Heaven, a work by
an unknown artist, we can see the Christian conception of the archangel
battling the devil for control of people's souls. Our religion does
have such warlike undertones. I know that this may not help
you in your spiritual dilemma, but know that the battle for souls is
in itself just, despite the sins that fallible men will involve. You must
remember, above all, that our faith is rooted in mystery. It is
a mystery that our one God is three people, and it is a mystery that the
Father sent his only Son to die so that we might live. You have
believed in these mysteries since you were a child, Adso. And yet,
it can become difficult to keep strong the convictions of one's childhood.
If you come across a castle I visited many years ago, you must look at
the painting Holy Trinity or Divine Liturgy. It was painted by an
unknown, though my host told me that the artist was from the island of
Crete.
The borders of the scene are filled with dozens of guardian angels,
warrior angels, and cherubim. It is truly a heavenly scene, with
swirling clouds and beautiful colors. The blessed commotion illustrates
the holy mystery that must be heaven. This sense of mystery is increased
by the facial expressions which the artist gives to his angels and also
by the swirling brushstrokes of the background. This appreciation
of the unknown shows a respect for our Lord and his workings. Adso,
as much as I have sought over my life to uncover mysteries, I have still
learned that there are many things which must be left to the grace of
God.
All of this background of the painting frames a bench, on which three
figures are seated. They are, of course, the three figures of the
mysterious trinity. Our Lord Jesus is seated on one side, to the right
of the Father. The central
position, however, is occupied by a dove. Is it not intriguing
that the Holy Ghost, the figure to whom the least attention is often paid,
is at the center of this artist's vision? I think that this placement
was entirely intentional.
It shows us that the Holy Ghost, whom God sent to watch over
His people and to nurture our faith, now holds the most pivotal role in
all of Christianity. The Holy Ghost will watch over the Church,
Adso. I understand the concerns which you have voiced. Yet
the Church has overcome great trials throughout its fourteen hundred years
on this earth. These include the recent Inquisition in which your
elderly teacher played a role. You see, good men can be mistaken,
and yet the Spirit guides the Church to move on, to grow and flourish
with thegrace of God.
William of Baskerville
** Some of these works were not yet extant at the time of this exchange.
Their
inclusion may be attributed either to artistic license or William's
prophetic
tendencies.
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