When the communist governments of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe fell in the late 80s and early 90s, the citizens of those countries faced immediate and critical challenges. Liberation from the tyranny and oppression they had known for so long was a great blessing. But freedom is more than release from tyranny. How would they put freedom to work for the common good?
With economies in shambles, new systems of free enterprise had to be created. Since there was little effective government infrastructure, democratic processes had to be put in place. Since civil order and public safety had been in the hands of an often terrorist military, provision had to be made for adequate and humane police protection. And since the majority of government budgets had been given to military spending, it was necessary to reorganize priorities with primary concern for people, not military might.
But there was also a subtle and ultimately more important challenge facing the people: how to use their personal freedom in a changed society. Vast new opportunities, choices and influences were open to them (particularly the young) for the first time. It was in part for all these reasons that Pope John Paul II wrote his encyclical “The Splendor of Truth” in 1993.
We Americans have much to learn from the growing pains of former communist countries. Ironically, there are many in our society who regard moral norms as a form of tyranny and oppression — they think one should be able to do as he or she pleases, “free” of all moral guidelines. According to their frame of reference, what one chooses to do is “right” and “good” precisely because he or she chooses it — not because the choice was made according to a set of moral norms.
There are others who assume (perhaps unwittingly) that if a Gallup poll demonstrates that the majority of Americans holds a particular opinion about a moral issue, that opinion must be morally correct. If we lived totally according to that approach, a majority vote would determine morality, and morality would change as the numbers change. Isn’t that backwards?
Such approaches are not examples of “freedom” at all, and we should regard them with great suspicion. They would create a society which crumbles because it has no lasting foundation. Just because “I choose” something does not make it right — after all, I am capable of choosing evil. The fact that 75 percent holds this or that opinion regarding a moral issue does not make their opinion morally correct — sadly, they might be ignorant of the truth.
What is right, good and true has one source, and that is God. It is only in searching for his truth and obeying it that we find freedom. The path to real freedom, then, is the formation of a good conscience.
Conscience enables us to recognize the morality of something we are about to do, are in the process of doing, or have already done. It helps us take responsibility for our actions, prompts us to ask forgiveness when we fail, and produces peaceful hearts. A well-formed conscience is a messenger of God, who teaches us how to do good and avoid evil.
The formation of a good conscience is a lifelong process, and as I wrote last week, it begins with the loving guidance of parents. As we grow older and find ourselves free of parental control, we must take responsibility for the education of our consciences. That entails serious interior reflection, something not always valued in our era of quick fixes and instant gratification. Forming a good conscience requires that we slow down, reflect, pray and learn.
How do we properly educate and form our consciences? By studying the Word of God, praying for God’s wisdom, relying on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, following good example, seeking sound advice from others and allowing ourselves to be guided by the teaching of the Church.
The formation of a good conscience requires humility. I must admit that there is such a thing as moral truth which, though it may not be easy and may go against popular trends, is given to us by God for our good and must be obeyed. Moreover, since this moral truth comes from God, it is meant for all humanity, not just for believers.
The formation of conscience is actually about conversion and discipleship. Am I willing to hand over every aspect of my life, every decision, and every moral judgment, to God’s wisdom? Or do keep some things for myself, as if God knows best in some areas but not others? Perhaps it is easier to follow trends and opinion polls, but they will inevitably change — as will governments and presidents — and I will be left in the lurch. Only a well-formed conscience keeps me on solid moral ground. I owe it to my country to form my conscience well.
Pope John Paul II wrote:
“Let us remember: it is only by listening to the voice of God in our most intimate being, and by acting in accordance with its directions, that we will reach the freedom we yearn for. As Jesus said, only the truth can make us free. And the truth is not the fruit of each individual’s imagination. God gave us intelligence to know the truth and the will to achieve what is morally good. He has given us the light of conscience to guide our moral decisions — and, above all, to love good and avoid evil.”
Do you have an intention for Bishop Sartain’s prayer? If so, send it to him at Bishop Sartain’s Prayer List, Diocese of Little Rock, 2500 North Tyler St., P.O. Box 7239, Little Rock, AR 72217.
