IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICES
We
live in a world that does not really recognize the true significance of
the choices we make in life. The old classical understanding of virtue
ethics being related to character building has become lost in the “me”
centered generations. Everything is all about me and my perceived needs,
and anyone else’s needs are secondary. Western democracies are
discovering that this attitude is not very easy to work with when it
comes to getting things done.
How
do we overcome the selfishness and narcissism that thrive so much in
our world today? The only answer I can see is a return to
character-based ethics. We need to form our children in the
understanding that everything they do and say contributes to the
building of their character. Morality is not just about avoiding
breaking the law or doing something wrong; it is really about
discovering the opportunities to build our character according to the
fact that we were created in the image and likeness of God. If God is
anything, He is a God of character and not a God of the rules.
Jesus
tells a parable today that speaks to this truth. It is up to us to
decide what sort of a disciple of Jesus we both want to be and will
become by the choices we make. Instead of seeing morality as the
avoidance of evil, let us start looking at it as choosing of the “goods”
of human flourishing. That is, let us make morality a positive rather
than a negative reality in our lives. Ican assure you that it will make
an enormous difference if we do this. Learning to make choices for the
good of human living will give us an entirely different perspective on
life to the point that we will begin to become different people. We will
become
empowered to create our own destiny in the positive sense of choosing it
rather than simply avoiding something bad. I know which system I
prefer. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you look at morality in you life? Are you simply following a whole lot of rules that are given to you by others?
Lord Jesus, teach me how to believe and pursue the fullness of life by becoming proactive in my own character formation.
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