My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are eleven (11) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church addressing the Fourth Commandment of the Decalogue, ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ The following is a reflection on CCC 2255.
The Catechism highlights four obligations citizens have in working with civil powers which we consider here. It may be presumed that those who are not citizens are not to thwart the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Also presumed is the binding nature of these obligations, being what God actually expects of us.
Citizens are to build up society in a spirit of truth. How does this happen? What does it look like? As followers of Jesus Christ in His Catholic Church we know that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that the truth will set us free (cf. John 8:32; 14:6). To build up society in a spirit of truth requires recognition that there is truth, that we can know the truth and act accordingly. We are not skeptics like Pontius Pilate: Quid est veritas (cf. John 18:38). We know that Jesus Christ has come to teach us the truth about God and the truth about ourselves, made in His image, redeemed by His Blood (cf. Gaudium et spes, 22).
Citizens are to build up society in a spirit of justice. The Cardinal Virtue of Justice calls us to give each that which is due. The Commandments of God help us to remember different aspects of justice. We each have our due, God, neighbor and self. The Just Judge Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead (cf. John 5:30; 7:24; Acts 17:31; 2 Ti 4:8).
Citizens are to build up society in a spirit of solidarity. The term “solidarity” comes from sociology and has been used for over one hundred years. It has entered into the lexicon of moral theology thanks in no small part to work of Saint John Paul II who became familiar with it through his studies of Max Scheler (+1928). The root word “solid” is a part of “solidarity” which thereby refers to social cohesion. The Polish labor union “Solidarity” helped to overthrow atheistic Communism in Eastern Europe by defending the rights and responsibilities of workers and communities which were being disrespected.
Citizens are to build up society in a spirit of liberty. Jesus Christ came to set us free from fear (cf. Luke 4:19). Christ has set us free from sin and death and slavery to Satan (cf. Galatians 4:31; 5:1). We are not to use our liberty as an occasion of sin for ourselves or others or as a cloak for malice (cf. Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16). Liberty refers not only to external actions or powers but deliverance from the tyranny of sin which enslaves (cf. John 8:34). God’s adopted children glory in the freedom which He alone can give. May we share the same with everyone.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr