The little angel who said yes...
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Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) is remembered as a brilliant mathematician, physicist, calculator co-inventor and French philosopher. He embraced Catholicism in 1646 formally, after publishing his Christian probability theory. He addresses how every soul faces a critical decision about eternity — whether to accept or reject Jesus. To simplify, here are Paschal’s outcomes based on his cost/benefit analyses.
Only one option offers eternal gain in exchange for virtue, temperance and surrender. The alternatives offer eternal loss in exchange for a life of unbridled sin. In Paschal’s words, because infinite outcomes outweigh finite ones, the only rational choice is to “wager that God is …” However, all choices involve death. Or do they?
Earthly Happiness or Agnosticism?
According to Paschal, even the ethical agnostic cannot find earthly happiness. Sleeping in, luxury items or chasing temporal pleasures ill-satisfy the human heart. To find adventure, grave temptations like lust or addictions enter the picture. Without consequences, the non-ethical agnostic is exposed to a free-for-all lifestyle. Every sin is fair game if we put ourselves first. Conversely, a life of divine virtue — shaped by prayer, generosity and love — buys comfort, peace and joy on earth, by putting ourselves last. How? Pascal’s logic extends to small, daily decisions that involve good or bad as well as their effects on the community at large.
Every sinful act, big or small, detracts from the public good. It brings individual shame, guilt and self-hatred which over time, creates burdens on society. Even small, venial sins weaken a person’s ethical resolve. Small sins snowball into serious ones, without the sacraments. Grave sins traumatize the other innocent souls as all lives unravel. Therefore, Paschal’s wager is not only about faith; it bakes-in a moral compass into the soul and community. Choosing good leads to love, positivity and growth. Sinful choices lead to degradation, evil and ultimately, universal losses—especially when political leaders partake.
Calculus or Faith?
Jesus and St. Paul use financial metaphors — treasures, debts, wages, talents — to simplify the stakes involved. Pascal theorizes biblical wisdom in probabilities. Jesus expresses the heart of Pascal’s wager in one unforgettable line: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
In reality, Christianity cannot be reduced to a simple equation. We can follow Jesus because He is a good investment. However, the goal of Christian life is to love Jesus for His own sake. He is Truth. Initially, Pascal recognizes that people seek God for mixed reasons — fear of hell, hope for heaven or a desire for meaning. These motives are imperfect, but over time; they evolve into deeper, more perfect motives. Eventually, imperfect faith plus surrender, gives way to perfect love.
Logic or Love?
Every great romance begins with courage. Seeking mutual love, we risk our hearts and take a giant leap, without guarantees. Conversely, romance with God is an adventure with guarantees.
Choosing Jesus offers better odds. But in the end, it isn’t about numbers, it’s a love story. While Pascal frames our choice in costs and benefits, the deeper truth is simpler and sweeter. Infinite ROI is achieved when our hearts accept unconditional Love. This love was evidenced via crucifixion where Jesus destroyed death through Resurrection. No other religion offers a human resurrection. If His death is a lie, then we too, will rise. Therefore, when we choose Jesus, we reject eternal death. God respects our free will, so we get what we ask for. If eternal death is off the table, our life becomes an adventure. Nourished by frequent sacraments, our faith grows toward perfect Love. Who doesn’t want to be loved? This perfect love becomes contagious as we achieve "peace that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). Others begin to see Jesus in our eyes. If we truly love God and neighbor, as Dr. Blaise Paschal has demonstrated above, let us bring as many souls as possible with us, on our journey Home.
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Science cannot explain suffering. As Lay Passionist and nurse, she challenges modern health care assumptions; contraception, abortion, euthanasia, herd immunity and more. Behind every health dilemma, God asks us to abide in Him. Author of 7 books & >20 peer-reviewed nursing journal articles; she also writes as "The Catholic Nurse" on Substack, see "Archives." She is a veteran of the Army Nurse Corps. Her primary charism is mercy through which she explores redemptive suffering, spiritual healing and the joy of bringing of souls to God.
