Don’t you find it fascinating that for all the power and infinitude of the universe there is only one being that can say, “What do you want for dinner?”
Human consciousness (or intellect) is what sets man apart from everything else in nature. Think of it. Every creature you see, whether (as we used to say) animal, vegetable, or mineral, is harnessed to a natural order which locks it into what it must be. We call it Mother Nature.
The flowers in spring, the geese flying south in a wing, that stone at the end of your driveway, are all part of a natural order. This “order of nature” requires flower, goose, and stone to be in a particular, predetermined way in order for them to be what they are. (Beware! The goose that stops by your kitchen to have coffee with you is really not a goose!).
Isn’t this fun?!
The human being however is a different creature. We are set in “openness” to becoming. We “become” by the use of the two qualities we’ve been given as part of our human nature – – intellect and will. Through these, all creation reaches an understanding of itself. The human being sharing in the natural world (our bodies), is where silent nature comes to understand itself. We put into words what nature, by itself, could never speak.
Human effort to understand creation, and speak for it, has brought about mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, etc. We are unlocking the mystery of creation! Not only that, something else is born – – history. The story told by the conscious, acting creature (man) over time.
And the meaning of history? It’s still unfolding. The final meaning of human history is the return of Jesus Christ in glory to bring humanity and all creation together in Him and then set it before God the Father. “So that God will be all in all.” 1Cor. 15:28.
Meanwhile God is smiling. He delights in His creature man and woman. The powerful intellect God has given us humans is sharing in the knowledge of God Himself.
But . . . we must remember that it is only in the light of God’s Spirit that we are able to perceive the order that God has placed in creation. Consciousness is God’s gift to us. Our “intellect” and “will” are created and finite. We are not autonomous beings, not the boss determining the meaning of creation all by ourselves. No. We must submit ourselves and our knowledge to the one who chose to share in His “dominion over the world.” (Genesis 2).
Along with our intellect God has given us Freedom. We are free to use our knowledge in any way we like – – good or bad. Here’s where it gets a little testy. You see human history is shaped by our actions toward one another. What story are we telling?
We are summoned by our freedom to action that defines us as we go. We become “truth tellers” or “generous” or “patient” or “forgiving”.
Or, equal in possibility, we can become “liars”, “greedy”, “unforgiving”, etc. It’s up to us. We’re free. This is the wonderful dignity of the human being as created by God. God has made us, in effect, co-creators of ourselves. Our actions put into history who we are. We “become”. And because it was done in freedom . . . we become “responsible for it”.
Some people don’t like this.
“I just wanna be. I’m the boss. I say what I want to do. And, oh by the way, nobody tells me who I am or what I should become.”
Now here’s the kicker . . . Don’t miss this. Our human nature (intellect and will), as created by God, is to share in His nature! God created us to have His love as our meaning. “We are God’s children now. . . and we shall become like Him for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2
So back here on earth – – – what are we to do with our freedom? Love God with all our heart. And love our neighbor as Christ has loved us.
Let’s get to work!
Fr. Tim
