by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 2
One of the most basic faults we observe today is the attempt to divorce human freedom from dependence on God. This is a false exaltation of human freedom, with no objective moral limits (ie: contraceptive practices). This occurs when objective moral law is ignored or rejected in favor of the subjective moral judgment (ie: pre-marital co-habitation resulting in recreative sex). This directly contradicts the fundamental option that every human being is called upon to make during life: to either accept or reject the will of God. (VS 66) Scriptures are very clear on this point: "Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh." (GAL 5:13)
When conscience becomes the final judge for a person of what is right or wrong, independent of the objective laws of God, there results a radical conflict between moral law and conscience and between nature and freedom. Such is the case in euthanasia.
Genuine freedom is dependent on truth, on God. When we know the truth and when we know the will of God, we know there are specific moral imperatives in God’s natural universal and unchangeable moral law to enlighten us, as outlined in revelation and Catholic teaching, as presented in the Church Magisterium. To reject these laws is to become enslaved, deciding for oneself what is right or wrong: (ie: regarding contraception, direct sterilization, homosexuality, masturbation, pre-marital sexual relations, artificial insemination). This is a form of "moral iconoclasm" (VS 47), which contradicts the unity of the human person, as destined for an eternal life in body and soul (VS 48)
Where natural law provides us with the basic principles of morality, the conscience is the practical judgment which tells us what we are to do here and now (VS 61) (ie: rescue the weak; respect life; protect the innocent, the unborn). Forming our conscience means to be taught by the Church Magisterium what God expects of us in the moral order. The morality of human acts depends on what a person does, why he does it and how or under what circumstances it is done. Our moral behavior should always be guided by one primary motive, to please God. We must beware of pragmatism, relativism and positivism. Church institutions must be challenged to live up to the Church’s moral doctrine. We are to become Holy. (VS 115).
Our freedom is real but limited. It is real because we can choose what is good and cooperate with the grace of God. It is limited by original sin and personal sins. We become free to the degree that we give up ourselves to the service of God and our neighbour. We should be ready to die for proclaiming the truth, speaking out about the false separation between faith and morality. We cannot allow innocent unborn human beings to be put to death by anti-Christian, anti-life advocates. We cannot sit by and do nothing while human fetuses are experimented on. The very existence of a sane society depends on our universal duty to observe the laws of morality. (VS 96) We must let Mary and Joseph be our models to live a moral life. ¤