And miles to go

Freedom and Conscience

Some of the most rewarding experiences I have as a priest and a bishop is visiting with our youth either in the context of our Catholic schools or our Religious Education programs.  I try to encourage a "Question and Answer" format, which I hope will allow for their own thoughts or concerns to be expressed. 

Recently, one student asked me about a report in the media concerning a candidate for First Holy Communion, who had an allergy to wheat. The parents wanted the priest to consecrate a rice patty instead, but were denied.  Why was that?  I explained that Jesus at the Last Supper in the context of the Passover commemoration had used unleavened bread when he instituted the Holy Eucharist.  Because we are the Church of Jesus Christ, we follow his example and do what he did. The Church does not just make "things" up on her own, but follows the Master. Therefore, anything other than unleavened bread (i.e. wheat) is not valid matter for consecrating the Eucharist. Rice patties cannot become the Holy Eucharist.

The student looked surprised and another remarked, "That's unfair."  Well, that's a different matter.  Actually many things we believe as Catholics seem unfair to people who do not share our perspective of faith. It may seem unfair to some that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.  It may seem unfair that every act of sexual intercourse between spouses must be open to the procreation of new life. It may seem unfair that only men can be ordained as priests. It may seem unfair that only Jesus is the unique mediator of the world's salvation.  It may seem unfair that we cannot live forever on this earth, but that we all must die.

But within the context of faith, that which actually appears "unfair" to the secular eye, does make sense to the one who believes that Jesus is Lord over heaven and earth, consequently over his Church and our lives.  Jesus, then, sets the standards. We do not. We accept him as "the Way" for us to follow. Our growth in holiness is directly proportional to our ability for internalizing that acceptance in a spirit of humility.

This question also touches on the areas of freedom and conscience in our lives as disciples. Human freedom, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude" (no. 1731).  Conscience, as a means of achieving human freedom, "bears witness to the authority of truth in reference to the supreme Good to which the human person is drawn, and it welcomes the commandments."  (no. 1777) Conscience is a subjective reality which must be taught and formed according to the objective reality of God's truth. One can have an ill-formed or erroneous conscience.  This is why we must undertake a daily examination of conscience which judges itself according to the standards of God's moral law, whether as natural or revealed law.  (Catechism, no. 1952)  As a Catholic, then, I cannot properly exercise my conscience apart from the Truth, which ultimately is Jesus Christ.

During the final Mass of World Youth Day last August in the Marienfeld, Pope Benedict XVI observed that religion for many today seems like a "consumer product" from which they can choose what they like and disregard the rest. However, he points out, "religion sought on a 'do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us. It may be comfortable, but at times of crisis we are left to ourselves."

As we prepare once again to celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus this Holy Week, let's meditate on how and why Jesus becomes the standard for his Church and for each of us. As Catholics we profess he is "the Way, the Truth and the Life."  What, in fact, do we mean by that profession? And how does it, or should it, impact my daily living?

Yes, I really enjoy my visits with our Catholic youth. They make me think. I hope I am able to return the favor.

God bless!  A joyous Easter!

April, 2006

Falta Mucho por Recorrer

Deseo ofrecer una breve reflexión en el contexto de nuestra jornada Cuaresmal, ya que como católicos, entendemos el concepto de "libertad" y "conciencia." La libertad humana, así como nos enseña El Catecismo de la Iglesia, "es una fuerza de crecimiento y de maduración en la verdad y la bondad. La libertad alcanza su perfección cuando está ordenada a Dios, nuestra bienaventuranza" (1731). La conciencia, como medio de alcanzar la libertad humana, "atestigua la autoridad de la verdad con referencia al Bien supremo por el cual la persona humana se siente atraída y cuyos mandamientos acoge." (1777) La conciencia es una realidad subjetiva que se debe enseñar y formar según la realidad objetiva de la verdad del Dios. Uno puede tener una conciencia malformada o errónea. Por esa razón debemos comprometernos a tomar un examen de conciencia diariamente que se juzga por si solo de acuerdo con las normas de la ley moral de Dios, ya sea de ley revelada o de ley natural. (Catecismo, 1952) Entonces, yo como católico, no puedo ejercer mi conciencia apropiadamente fuera de la verdad, ya que lo es Jesucristo ultimadamente.

En agosto del 2005 en Marienfeld, cuando terminaba la misa en el Día Mundial de la Juventud, su santidad Benedicto XVI observó que para muchos hoy en día la religión se compara a un "producto de consumo" por la cual pueden elegir lo que le gusta y dejar de lado el resto. Sin embargo, él precisa que "la religión que uno lo adapta a sus necesidades no nos puede ayudar ultimadamente. Puede ser fácil, pero en momentos de crisis todo queda en nuestras manos."

Ahora que nos preparamos para celebrar la pasión, Muerte y Resurrección de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo durante Semana Santa, meditemos para apreciar cómo y porque Jesús se convierte en el prototipo para Su Iglesia y para cada uno de nosotros. Como católicos nosotros profesamos, El es "el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida." Que en realidad, ¿que significado tiene la expresión? ¿y como debe o debería impactar en mi vida diaria?

¡Que Dios los bendiga! ¡Felices Pascuas!

April, 2006