As the light begins to fade on this feast of the Passion of John the Baptist, I would like to capture some of my thoughts from early this morning.
We are all familiar with the story of the beheading of John the Baptist. Because St. John was courageous enough to challenge Herod and his marital status, John was silenced as a martyr for Truth. We know now that Jesus Christ is the Truth, and we, as St. John the Baptist, are also challenged to be just as courageous in preaching this Truth.
We live in a day when people find it difficult to believe in anything that is not visible or defensible through scientific proof. We are quite comfortable with the laws of nature. In fact, through science and years of studying the laws of nature, many great discoveries have led to improving the living conditions and quality of life for most who live on the planet today.
However, as comfortable as we are with the laws of nature, anytime we talk about natural law, people get squeamish. Just as the studying and respecting the laws of nature have led to many improvements, so too respect for the natural law lead to the greatest respect and good for the human person and for human society as a whole.
The Creator is the Genius behind all of the laws that govern nature, and is also the One who knows through natural law what is best for the human person. The eternal truths of natural law regard life, freedom, the common good, justice, charity, solidarity and subsidiarity. Just as the laws of nature hold all of creation in harmony, so too the natural law leads to the true harmony and well being of the human person and society as a whole.
Natural law is the interior moral order, discoverable by reason. The truth of the natural law is universal, because it is naturally discoverable by every person, and is for the good of the whole of society. It is universal in that no ‘poll’ can define it or reject or approve it.
As the Year of Faith approaches, I hope one good that comes from the invitation to study the Catechism and the teachings of the Second Vatican Council will lead all of us to a deeper appreciation for the harmony and unity that is found in the teachings of the Church. I pray that as we grow in our understandings of the eternal truths of the Gospel, and the Eternal Truth Who is Jesus Christ, we may also grow in the grace to live and defend this Truth in our time.
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