My dear parishioners,
Peace! In other bulletins (4 December, 2016-11 June, 2017) we have considered the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on “conscience.” We then turned to Saint John Paul II’s encyclical letter Veritatis splendor (6 August, 1993) which addresses fundamental moral issues, including “conscience” more than one hundred times. These reflections were begun earlier (6 April, 2018-30 May, 2018). Here we now consider a passage from Veritatis splendor, 34.
Saint John Paul II (+2005) warns us of the effects of “subjectivism and individualism” have on “the relationship of freedom to the moral law, human nature and conscience” “denying the dependence of freedom on truth” (VS, 34.2).
Of course, there are a few things the Holy Father takes for granted here, namely that we know about “subjectivism and individualism”, “freedom”, “moral law”, “human nature”, and “conscience.” Every individual human being is, objectively speaking, a subject, but this is an objective take on reality. A subjective take might claim that you are whatever/whoever you think you are which puts thinking and judging over and above being and existing. Before a thing might reflect or propose that thing must exist in order to reflect or propose. That every human being is an individual seems to be a truism, yet, there are collectivists who would deny it.
The Prophet Isaiah (+700BC), inspired by God, teaches us about the relationship of freedom to the moral law as he exhorts us: to be washed and cleansed, to put away evil and to stop doing evil (1:16). Isaiah was a man among men, an individual human subject, who nevertheless recognized the authentic relationship between freedom and the moral law, human nature and conscience. Isaiah recognizes that there is a difference between good and evil. Isaiah recognizes that we should do good and avoid evil. Isaiah (55:7) later explicates not only the objective moral order but also our specific individuality when he directs each one of us to forsake our own way and our own thoughts but to return to the Lord. While the prophet lived centuries before the Incarnation and the institution of the Sacraments of Baptism and Penance wherein we are cleansed of our sins, iniquities, and evil, he nevertheless prepared the way.
The Prophet Jeremiah (+570BC), likewise inspired by God, tells each one of us to turn from our wicked ways, and to correct our actions (35:15). Here we see an assertion of the moral law, our individuality and common human nature altogether.
In the New Testament, both John 8:31 “The truth will set you free” and Galatians 5:1 “For freedom we have been set free” are a part of the context in which Saint John Paul II wrote, as is John 14:5 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”
How will each of us respond to the Lord? Will we acknowledge our common, fallen human nature? Will we submit intellect and will to the Lord? Will we live a saints?
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr