(This is a lesson I gave to a class of high school Juniors. See what you think.)
Look around you at all the objects we use every day. They all have a purpose. The pen you have in your pock- et is for writing or drawing. The bowl in the kitchen is there to hold your cereal. Your shoes are there to comfort your walking. You get it.
There is a “purpose principle” that applies throughout the world of nature. The eye was made “to see”, the ear to hear, the hand to hold something. Things work well when they are used in the way the maker had in mind for them.
When used for other purposes the results are not so happy. Ever put your ear buds up your nose? You won’t hear the music and it can be painful !. No, things generally have a proper place and a proper use – – – That’s why they were made in the first place!
And guess what? It’s the same with you. You were made for a purpose. It’s the reason you are alive and living in this world. You have no wings to fly, no gills to swim the waters. What are humans equipped to do that no other creature or object can duplicate? What were you made to do?
Well you’re doing one of your purposes right this second! You’re trying to learn something. Humans can learn and understand how things really are. The human mind is the greatest masterpiece of nature unlike anything found anywhere in the universe.
The second human miracle you performed happened this morning. You kissed someone goodbye (mom, dad, brother, sister) . . . OR . . . later today you’ll call some- one to tell them YOU LOVE THEM.
These are the two great gifts God has given us to make us human. The Power to know and to love. These two abilities belong to Our Nature and make us different from the rest of creation. They make us PERSONS.
But how can I use my powers of knowing and loving in the way for which they were made? There’s all kinds of stuff out there to learn about. Some of it is fun and interesting. Some of it is dark and nasty.
What should I put in my brain that leads me to proper knowing and loving? What should I keep away from? The answers to these questions make up a body of knowledge we call MORALITY.
God made the human being something like God Himself. With our reason we are hardwired to seek what is true. With the power of judgement we can discern what is good and what is evil.
However, the human race has experienced a confusion and a clouding of human judgement (original sin). Along with a knowledge of what is true we also experience a selfish pull (temptation) toward whatever pleases me at the moment.
Reason and judgement must be properly guided if they are to function as God intended. Here are the guiding moral principles God gives us in determining right from wrong.
- Natural Law. These principles are written into the very substance of our natural world. For example: moderation in what we eat or drink. How we treat our bodies. Respect for nature, its seasons, its treasury of air, water, plant and animal life.
- The Ten Commandments. The 4,000 year old code of human behavior given through Jewish history and accepted in some form by every major world religion.
- Teachings of Jesus. Christian morality contains the two above but adds the words of Jesus to move human behavior to even greater depths of love and goodness. EG. “Love your enemies, bless those who persecute you.”
- The Teachings of the Church. Using all the above, the Church guides us to right behavior in many human situations EG. Care for the poor, proper sexual relations, sanctity of human life in the womb, the rights of workers, justice for the weak and vulnerable.
- Wise and learned guidance by recognized authorities in the spiritual and moral life. EG. The growing opposition to the death penalty, increased awareness of a moral responsibility toward the environment.
No quiz. Just thought you’d like to know.
Fr. Tim
