Quantum Physics and Personal Reflection: Spontaneity, Generosity, and Entanglement

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
Readings: Ez 34:1-11; Ps 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6; Mt 20:1-16

Quantum Physics

Some fun facts about quantum physics in the link below. Those of us who study philosophy and theology should be thrilled at these advances and the implications of them beyond the initial shock value!

• Wave-particle duality – quoting, Sometimes it pays to think about light as an electromagnetic wave, but at other times it’s more useful to picture it in the form of particles called photons.
• Quantum entanglement – quoting, two particles together in such a way that their quantum states are inexorably bound, or entangled. One is in state A, and the other in state B.
• Multiverses and parallel worlds – seems unlikely and unprovable thus unprofitable.

Source: https://www.space.com/quantum-physics-things-you-should-know
Source: https://www.space.com/32728-parallel-universes.html

• In some ways Quantum Physics is liberating. It allows us to develop the math and physical systems to discover and move through time/space (or ignore time/space) such that the far reaches of the universe are within our comprehensible reality.
• In other ways, Quantum Physics is debilitating. The focus of measuring at its extreme (degree and ubiquity) leaves other phenomena unresolved, specifically spontaneity and generosity as primal forces of the Universe.

Summary

He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’

Reflection

In our first reading today, the ‘natural order’ of men has devolved. Men are not able to act rightly in a consistent and reliable way. The Lord needs to intervene in order for us to actually live in harmony on this Earth. We lack spontaneity (awareness, attentiveness) of the reality. We lack the generosity of the sharing of our essence with the Other of ourselves.

How very un-quantum physics! Can we not see quantum entanglement in our common life? Our shared space with all living things? Can we not see the wave-particle duality where sharing photons (abundance) is at the same time a wave of energy between particles (love)?

There is much work needed in this area of science-philosophy and greater precision of language (new vocabulary is needed).

Personal Reflection

In our gospel portion today we are called to be BOTH spontaneous (wave) and generous (particle). This quantum entanglement is most clear here. The perpetual self-giving is the ultimate example of quantum physics. We are called to a total self-giving entanglement that never ends and is always active yet harmonious. In the simultaneous exchange, too fast to be recorded, is so complete as the exchange appears to be not there. We’ve been calling it love for years now.

Spontaneous (yet quanta)

1. a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard
2. Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
3. And he went out again around noon
4. and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
5. Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’

Generous (yet entangled)

1. He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
2. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
3. Take what is yours and go.
4. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
5. Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
6. Are you envious because I am generous?’

Sacred Readings

Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082124.cfm

First Reading

Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep? For thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

Responsorial

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Acclamation

The word of God is living and effective, able to discern the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Gospel

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry