The Logos, and the Lexes

The Readings of today remind me of what we learn in metaphysics, about the Logos and the lexes. Logos may be taken to mean semantics, where lexes refer to syntax. The Logos is the underlying meaning that gives credence to words and syllables arranged in a certain morphology. St Augustine says in his book, The Teacher, that the signs of language only make sense because of the meaning they convey. If the signs of language convey no meaning but only make sounds (as in vocal), or impress themselves on the eyes (as in written), then they are worthless signs. Indeed, Augustine is of the view that, if signs do not convey to us any meaning, they should be eschewed; and if there is a way to convey meaning without the use of signs then that way should be explored. The word "human" for example is a five-letter word that has two syllables and sounds: hyoo-mehn. But more importantly it means "rational animal." This meaning, "rational animal," is the Logos of the lexis: "human." It is the underpinning of the visual import of five letters arranged in a certain morphology.

Logos can also refer to substance, that which is predicated of nothing else, whereas everything else is predicated of it. Lexes then would refer to accidents or qualities predicable of the Logos. All the things that appeal to the senses belong to lexis, while the essence of a thing belongs to substance (Logos). By way of etymology, substance derives from the Latin "substare," which means "that which stands under." In other words, when all the accidents are stripped away from a given matter-form composite, the core being (reality) of a thing is its substance. Substance may be used interchangeably with form. It is "seen" only with the eyes of the soul, and is not perceivable by the five senses at all. For example, when you see a man, you notice his height, weight, color, position, habitus, age and so forth. All these are the man's qualities. They are not his essence. These qualities are the principles of potency, and not the principles of act or form. These qualities change, but his essence as a rational animal remains the same through all the changes, because his essence is what underlies all the physically observable qualities predicable of him. The man was not always of the height or weight or color or position or habitus or age that he is today. But he always was - from the moment of conception in the womb - a rational animal.

In the First Reading of today, God is angry at people who should have looked beyond the lexes of this world to the Logos of the world's creator. They should have observed from the perfect order of creation the God that made it as perfect as it is. They should have, through their contemplation of the beauty of nature; the way everything fits into one smooth harmony of parts, known that there was a perfect hand steering everything there is. But they did not. "Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes." They worshiped the lexes instead of the Logos. They based their faith on the physical creatures of God rather on the immaterial reality of the creator himself. They worshiped idols and practiced impiety. And God was vexed with them. "Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."

Similarly, in the Psalm of today, we see how the creation of God, the lexes of the universe, bear semantic witness to the Logos of God that inspires the universe. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard. Through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message." Everything around us: the birds, the land animals; the rivers, mountains, plains and vegetation - everything there is should point us to the creator. We should see them as the accidents of the core of the universe, who is God. God is immanent in all of creation. And in his works he shines forth. We should always dig deep to the reality that lies beneath the physically observable. It should be the same in Holy Communion, where we should look beyond the bread and the wine and "see" our savior, Jesus Christ in his divinity and reality, and his truth, and his love, always.

And in the Gospel, we see Jesus challenging the Pharisee, who was more interested in external observances: who washed, and who did not wash; whether the bowls were clean or not - physical, external, things (lexes), and not the state of the heart, the internal reality of the soul (Logos). According to the Gospel, "after Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. Jesus entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that Jesus did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal." One can imagine the Pharisee quibbling over the mundane fact that Jesus did not observe a simple ritual wash. Jesus must have been irritated at the meanness of the Pharisee, who was oh so occupied by the trivia of lexes. "The Lord said to him, 'Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.'"

In other words, Jesus was insisting on the deeper rituals of the soul, rather than the trivial rituals of the body. Wash or no wash, give alms! Love your brothers and sisters. Forgive those that hurt you. Show compassion to all people. Do good. Love philosophy. Practice epistemology and ethics. Have a positive attitude. Be optimistic. Be positive. Apply Descartes' three-step method for the allaying of negative emotions. Be humble. Seek opportunities to volunteer and to serve. Be happy and keep the soul lean. Be good to yourself, and try to avoid occasions of wrongdoing. In short, value the soul far more than the body. Soul first, and body later. Soul, soul, soul! Logos before lexes.