Section C Essay is there an UR V2

Section C Essay (2013 exam question 2)

‘Is there an ultimate reality? Or more to the point, does it matter whether there is or not?’ Discuss this viewpoint above from the perspective of at least one religious tradition you have studied and with regard to individual members of the tradition.

The very existence of Ultimate Reality continues to be the focus of lively debate with the miracle of existence inviting us to ponder some of the big questions. These may begin with why there is ‘something’ rather than ‘nothing’ and raises the fundamental query about the existence of God. Overtime when people question our existence- the meaning and purpose of life and what happens once we die- religions offer a response; ways of establishing purpose for humans. These distinctive beliefs explain the nature of relationships between humans, humans and the natural world, and humans and the Ultimate Reality. This Ultimate Reality is defined as the fundamental energy that creates, supports and sustains everything that exists and is beyond the capacity of our human understanding. Whether Ultimate reality exists, is a question faced by the Roman Catholic Faith Tradition and one they would most certainly say it does matter. Advocates strongly believe the Ultimate reality is without beginning and without end, has always existed and will always exist as the creator and the origin of all life. Adherents believe that “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26), you just need to turn to him. It is this belief in this Ultimate Reality which defines Catholic belief and purpose in this world and the afterlife.

The Creation stories are set out to define the shape and meaning of our world. Firstly they establish essential ideas about the nature of God and the nature of God’s relationship to the created order, especially to human beings. They explain fundamental principles about the purpose and meaning of human life and relationships; focusing on the theological reflections by answering ‘who’ and ‘why’ rather than scientific explanations which focus more on ‘what and ‘how’. In the creation accounts, God makes the world and pronounces it “very good” (Gen 1:31). God walks along side with humans his “treasured possessions” which he; himself created solely (Exodus 19:5). Through the sacred texts, the Roman Catholic Faith Tradition can demonstrate the importance of Ultimate Reality. The created world reflects the beauty and complexity of its ultimate reality. Man and woman, the pinnacle of creation are made in the image of God. This entitles humanity to have the capacity to possess all the qualities of God. Understanding the nature of God allows adherents to learn how to be loving and caring like him. Humans are taught they do this by “imitating the divine model” (CCC 2842). All of this tells us that the belief in Ultimate Reality does matter because it provides humans with ethics and behaviours they can learn from God.

The belief which distinguishes the Roman Catholic Faith Tradition from other monotheistic faiths is the distinctive belief in God who is one yet three persons- “the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). “Each of [these three persons are]...whole and entire” (CCC253), meaning that they are co-equal, consubstantial and co-eternal and do not share divinity amongst themselves rather are individually fully divine. The Catechism teaches that God “is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them” (CCC234), exemplifying that the existence of Ultimate Reality does matter. God is able to be this light that enlightens his adherents because of his omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent nature, that is, with limitless power, all-knowing and present everywhere. The trinity encompasses “the father the almighty” shown though God’s love and care for us (Nicene Creed 325AD). Through the sacrifice of his only son Jesus Christ, God’s eternal love is ever-present in the life and actions of Jesus. As a result of the original sin caused by Adam “humanity is weakened in its powers, subject to ignorance, suffering and the dominance of death (CCC 418). With this said, Jesus came down to Earth to repent humanity from the original sin. Completing the trinity is the Holy Spirit which promotes the gospel values of justice and compassion in the world. It is the Spirit which enables us to recognise Jesus and to call God Father and be drawn into relationship with them. If it were not for the Trinity, humanity would be forever excluded from the life of God. This would be grave indeed for Catholic belief in God is at the core of their existence and as the purpose of life and death is to continue the journey (started at Baptism) to return to God’s presence in the Kingdom of Heaven.

There certainly is an Ultimate Reality in the heart and eye of Archbishop Oscar Romero. Undergoing a significant life experience led Romero to develop his relationship with God to a greater depth and gave him a clear meaning for life. The event marking Romero’s change, leading him to understand what humanity’s role was in the world and how God wanted humans to live was when his friend Father Rutilio Grande was assassinated along with an elderly man and child. Romero was transformed into a leader against the injustices in El Salvador, embracing Jesus’ mission promoting equality, freedom and a sense of Justice for the people. On the 23rd of March 1980, in Romero’s last homily he pleaded “beautiful is the moment in which we understand that we are no more than instruments of God”. This demonstrates that the actions he made were due to his belief in God.
Inspirational Romero was able to confide in Christ to guide him throughout his significant life experience and life’s journey shaping him to act as God would.

It is inevitable that at some point in life we will all question why we were put on this earth. Religious Traditions turn to God to give them that force, be a source of hope, to encourage them to act in ways for the betterment of the world and for personal growth. Ultimate Reality matters to adherents of the Roman Catholic Faith Tradition because God is the creator, the trinity and the centre of their faith. With God there is a great purpose and meaning for living. In the Roman Catholic Faith Tradition “everyone who believes in him [God] may have eternal life” (1 John 3:14-26). It is this distinctive belief in the Ultimate Reality that is the fundamental works of adherent’s faith.