Episteme (ἐπιστήμη), the Greek word for “knowledge,” is the cornerstone of Western thinking and the foundation of modern society. Knowledge gives us human beings a sense of security which, in turn, allows us to make plans, organize our thoughts, put the pieces together, and to generally feel that our lives have meaning and value. What is interesting, however, and perhaps not expected in this era of constant suspicion and rampant skepticism, is that there is a hidden and undeniable spirituality in episteme: e (ἐ) meaning “out of” + pistis (πιστις) meaning “belief.” Indeed, any authentic act of knowledge is based on a core belief in reality which gives the phenomena that pervade our earthly existence credibility. In other words, it’s not possible to know something without first trusting that it exists. Let’s, therefore, get in the habit of questioning the things that we think we know. Let’s get to the root of our so-called knowledge. Let’s exchange our assumptions about things for faith in them. We shall quietly make our way, through this sure method of prayer, to the ground of all being, the Lord, who has been quite literally dying to be known by us, and who promises to know us fully, perfectly and perpetually in return. Ave Crux, Spes Unica.
