“God calls men to serve him in spirit and in truth. Consequently they are bound to him in conscience but not coerced. God has regard for the dignity of the human person which he himself created; the human person is to be guided by his own judgement and to enjoy freedom. This fact received its fullest manifestation in Christ Jesus in whom God revealed himself and his ways in a perfect manner. For Christ, who is our master and Lord and at the same time is meek and humble of heart, acted patiently in attracting and inviting his disciples.” (Dignitatis Humanae #11)
The above quote from the “Declaration on Religious Liberty” (Dignitatis Humanae) from the Second Vatican Council is a reminder of God’s invitation to follow him in freedom. But it is a freedom that is founded on a truth which is the dignity of the human person created in the image and likeness of God…a dignity extended to all people…a dignity that cannot be erased. This came to mind this past week as our country became embroiled in so many arguments about dignity, respect and the truth of life.
I have read with sadness and shame the decision of the government of New York to remove many protections for children in the womb and the discussion to do the same in Virginia and several other states. It is important to note as Catholic Christians we have an understanding of natural law which informs how we look at the world and understand our duty as sisters and brothers in the larger community.
“Through our human reason, we can come to understand the true purpose of the created order. The natural law is thus our rational apprehension of the divine plan. I expresses our human dignity and is the foundation of our basic human rites and duties…Because the natural law is rooted in God’s plan found in human nature, it applies to all people in all places and at all times. While situations may vary greatly, the natural law is unchangeable.” (p 327 from United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)
What is “spirit and truth” in our lives? We may understand it in our call to be faithful and reasonable in how we live our lives. We are always called to look to the greater, the good and the holy as a path to seek other in society. Serving God, in spirit and truth, following the example of Jesus’ obedient love is the ideal. We are called to be hope filled and joy filled people who see the same in others even when they are different. This invitation to see others in this way comes through and invitation to love where we are not coerced into believing but invited through an act of conscience to enter into a relationship. For me, this is the key…to be in relationship. It is hard to dehumanize another person when we seek to see them in love, in relationship, in the dignity of life.
Yet, we are called to be guided by our judgement where a well formed conscience leads us to truth and life. This is where the living in the image and having a personal relationship with Jesus focuses our conscience. In this we are obligated to know the person of Jesus through Sacred Scripture and tradition and prayerful conversation with God.
“However, in forming their consciences the faithful must pay careful attention to the sacred and certain teaching of the Church. For the Catholic Church is by the will of Christ the teacher or truth. It is her duty to proclaim and teach with authority the truth which is Christ and, at the same time, to declare and confirm by her authority the principles of the moral order which spring from human nature itself.” (Dignitatis Humanae #14)
Each of us is called to be seek to face of God in each person no matter how young (even in the womb) or how old. We seek the face of God always, even when we look in the mirror.
God Bless
Fr. Mark