LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Choosing a theme for an issue is as fun as it is challenging. It needs to be broad enough to give writers room to work, focused enough to give guidance, unique enough to spark creativity, and profound enough to be not just relevant, but uplifting. The choice of Influence as our Spring 2021 theme was itself influenced by both these guidelines and a conversation with fellow Claritas members. What began as a humorous quip about all art essentially being some sort of “fanfiction,” aka the “nothing new under the sun” idea, turned into a great wonderment about the many influences of our lives and just how deeply they affect us.

I found myself thinking about my own life as an English major. I study the influenced works of others which, in turn, influence my own work. I thrive on literary inspiration and have contrived my writing style, vocabulary, and interests after works that I have read. Even my role in Claritas is dynamically influential, from the guidance of former EICs who left rather big shoes to fill to its shaping of my experience at Cornell. If influence is an integral part of our lives and of who we are, why is it important now, and why should we be talking about it?

According to Merriam-Webster, the word “influence” comes from the Medieval Latin word “influentia” which, curiously enough, is the same source for the word “influenza.” The word “influential” first referred to “a celestial fluid [fluens] that was believed to flow from the stars,” supposedly affecting the actions of people on earth. Although the link between “influence” and “influenza” is of medieval origin, it does carry on to modern times. Finding ourselves near the end of a global pandemic, this connection seems almost ironic—a virus that brought its influentia to our day-to-day routines, our futures, and, ultimately, life as we know it. As vaccines increasingly roll out and the world gradually adapts its regular pace, “returning to normal” just doesn’t sound right.

Fundamentally, the concept of influence is rooted in the power to change or affect. That power can come from both living and inanimate sources and the result can either be a negative or positive change or effect. This is what the Influence issue explores, from articles about our daily rhythms, social media, and “self-help” to substance abuse, false teaching, and marketing, as well as works of art, poems, and a short story about the complexities and diversity of influence.

I myself recently encountered this beautiful oddity of influence within my faith and studies. During the arduous, rewarding journey that was the completion of my Senior Honors Thesis, I often found myself at a loss for, not just words, but inspiration. In a desperate moment, I finally remembered where my help came from and turned to a student’s prayer written by Saint Thomas Aquinas that beloved Claritas alumni had once shown me. The prayer reads “Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen.” 

Slowly, but surely, praying St. Aquinas’ prayer before my studies became a sort of routine: I would sit quietly, listen to worship music, read Scripture, and then pray. There was no sudden magical transformation; I certainly did not feel inspired or willing to write all the time. However, the change that occurred in me was indeed miraculous. In beginning my work by beseeching the help of the Holy Spirit, my entire attitude and outlook on my studies altered. No matter how much or how little work I did, my sense of fulfillment remained sound.

Whatever it may be and wherever it may come from, influence has the capacity to teach us, offering the potential for positive change and growth. Fortunately for us, there is one influence that is eternally good—mysterious, but good. It is as Colossians 3:17 tells us: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” For His influence is something we can always count on for good. 

Peace of Christ,

Paola Mendez-Garcia
Editor-in-Chief

SOURCES

[1] Merriam Webster Online. “Influence,” accessed May 2021, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/influence 
[2] Merriam Webster Online. “Influenza,” accessed May 2021, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/influenza
[3] Thomas Aquinas, “A Student’s Prayer,” accessed at CatholicLink, May 2021. https://catholic-link.org/quotes/a-students-prayer-by-st-thomas-aquinas/