BUILDING ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

We cannot build our lives on any foundation of our choice if we want our lives to have meaning and good influence on those who meet us. Yes, there are many options that we could choose for a foundation, but there is only one that will endure the test of time until the Day of Judgment. We live in a world that does not necessarily welcome talk about truth and absolute moral norms, but if we want to live according to the will of God, we have to focus on them.

We live in a world where moral and ethical debate is more likely to be characterized by opinion than by truth. It is almost irrelevant to speak about “feeling something is right” unless we do the necessary research to determine that our feeling is worth following. Ethical and moral truth can be illuminated by gut feelings but these are not enough foundation to build our moral lives on. Whether we like it or not, moral truth is eternal and unchanging. Yes, we may understand these truths better  today than we did 100 years ago, but then again, maybe we do not.

In the Gospel, Jesus talks about building our houses on the right foundation. This is no less true when it comes to morality. If we want to live in the truth (and it is only the truth that can set us free [John 8:32]), then we must be willing to listen to what God says through the Scriptures and revelation, and what the Church says, which God has raised up to guide our decision making in the moral arena and to form our consciences well. Gut feelings are not necessarily an indication of a well-formed conscience. If we can say we have studied an issue thoroughly and consulted the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church and reflected upon what they have to say to us on the matter, then we can say that we have done what is necessary to form our conscience judgment.

This is not easy, but if something is worth the effort, and hopefully the promise of eternal life is, then we will be willing to do whatever it takes to make the best moral choices. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

 

Reflection Question:

How seriously do I take the responsibility to form my conscience well?

 

Jesus, help me to realize the importance of every moral decision I make so that I can make it as best as I can by forming my conscience well on the matter.

 

St. Fridolin, pray for us. 6