The concept of natural law has its roots in the ancient pagan world. Which is not so surprising because natural law is, as St. Thomas says, "nothing else than the rational creature's participation in the eternal law."
Natural law is typically divided into three constituent parts, the discriminating norm, the binding norm (norma obligans), and the manifesting norm(norma denuntians).
The discriminating norm is the process by which natural law is discernible through the use of human reason, aided by the divine. The binding norm is the obligation to live in conformity to ones nature, in the universal order established by the Creator. The manifesting norm is reason which determines the moral quality of actions tried by the discriminating norm.
Much of our understanding of natural law was explored by St. Thomas Aquinas in The Summa Theologiae.
The notable factor of natural law as it applies to the modern Christian Catholic is that when applied to the matter of sin is that immoral actions which are discernible through the use of reason are by their nature not open to vincible ignorance.
Abortion is an excellent example. If we except, through the principle of natural law that killing of a human being is wrong, then the question becomes, as applies to the unborn, is a fetus a human being? This becomes a matter of ensoulment. A baby is a human being when it has a soul. When does this happen? The teaching of the Church is that a baby has a soul from the time of conception. Does this make sense through the discernment of reason? Well, we know that scientifically an individual human being is determined by their DNA. The DNA of each individual human being (with the possible exception of identical twins) is absolutely unique. So a baby, from the time it is conceived, is a unique organism. We are getting closer and closer to the time technologically when a fertilized egg (the first instance of the unique DNA combination which is a human being) will be able to, with technological support, be able to exist independently from its mother. So, by reason, that fertilized egg is in fact a unique independent organism, a human being. A human being with a soul. So through the precepts of natural law it is wrong to kill an unborn baby.
That being so, abortion is always wrong, and never open to invincible ignorance, and so always a mortal sin.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Natural Law
The concept of natural law has its roots in the ancient pagan world. Which is not so surprising because natural law is, as St. Thomas says, "nothing else than the rational creature's participation in the eternal law."
Natural law is typically divided into three constituent parts, the discriminating norm, the binding norm (norma obligans), and the manifesting norm.
The discriminating norm is the process by which natural law is discernible through the use of human reason, aided by the divine. The binding norm is the obligation to live in conformity to ones nature, in the universal order established by the Creator. The manifesting norm is reason which determines the moral quality of actions tried by the discriminating norm.
Much of our understanding of natural law was explored by St. Thomas Aquinas in The Summa Theologiae.
The notable factor of natural law as it applies to the modern Christian Catholic is that when applied to the matter of sin is that immoral actions which are discernible through the use of reason are by their nature not open to vincible ignorance.
Abortion is an excellent example. If we accept, through the principle of natural law that killing of a human being is wrong, then the question becomes, as applies to the unborn, is a fetus a human being? This becomes a matter of ensoulment. A baby is a human being when it has a soul. When does this happen? The teaching of the Church is that a baby has a soul from the time of conception. Does this make sense through the discernment of reason? Well, we know that scientifically an individual human being is determined by their DNA. The DNA of each individual human being (with the possible exception of identical twins) is absolutely unique. So a baby, from the time it is conceived, is a unique organism. We are getting closer and closer to the time technologically when a fertilized egg (the first instance of the unique DNA combination which is a human being) will be able to, with technological support, be able to exist independently from its mother. So, by reason, that fertilized egg is in fact a unique independent organism, a human being. So through the precepts of natural law it is wrong to kill an unborn baby.
That being so, abortion is always wrong, and never open to invincible ignorance, and so always a mortal sin.
Natural law is typically divided into three constituent parts, the discriminating norm, the binding norm (norma obligans), and the manifesting norm.
The discriminating norm is the process by which natural law is discernible through the use of human reason, aided by the divine. The binding norm is the obligation to live in conformity to ones nature, in the universal order established by the Creator. The manifesting norm is reason which determines the moral quality of actions tried by the discriminating norm.
Much of our understanding of natural law was explored by St. Thomas Aquinas in The Summa Theologiae.
The notable factor of natural law as it applies to the modern Christian Catholic is that when applied to the matter of sin is that immoral actions which are discernible through the use of reason are by their nature not open to vincible ignorance.
Abortion is an excellent example. If we accept, through the principle of natural law that killing of a human being is wrong, then the question becomes, as applies to the unborn, is a fetus a human being? This becomes a matter of ensoulment. A baby is a human being when it has a soul. When does this happen? The teaching of the Church is that a baby has a soul from the time of conception. Does this make sense through the discernment of reason? Well, we know that scientifically an individual human being is determined by their DNA. The DNA of each individual human being (with the possible exception of identical twins) is absolutely unique. So a baby, from the time it is conceived, is a unique organism. We are getting closer and closer to the time technologically when a fertilized egg (the first instance of the unique DNA combination which is a human being) will be able to, with technological support, be able to exist independently from its mother. So, by reason, that fertilized egg is in fact a unique independent organism, a human being. So through the precepts of natural law it is wrong to kill an unborn baby.
That being so, abortion is always wrong, and never open to invincible ignorance, and so always a mortal sin.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Mortal sin
We've talked before about what is a mortal sin. One of the constituants of a mortal sin is that the sinner know that what he or she is doing is a sin. So unlike in a court of law ignorance is a defence. Technically what is ignorance? Ignorance is a lack of knowledge of something which can be known.
So if one does not know something is a sin then it is not.
But, wait a minute! Does that mean that if no one told me it is wrong to kill than I'm home free?
Not quite. Ignorance can be divided into two catagories, Vincible and Invincible. Ignorance is said to be invincible if an individual cannot rid himself of it through the exercise of moral diligence. Ignorance is vinicble if it can be cure throug the use of moral diligence.
What does that mean? It means that when making a moral decision a person must exercise a reasonable effort to attempt to discover the moral choice. Should the sin in question concern a matter of natual law then the person can reasonably be expect to know that his action are a sin.
We'll discus natural law tomorrow.
So if one does not know something is a sin then it is not.
But, wait a minute! Does that mean that if no one told me it is wrong to kill than I'm home free?
Not quite. Ignorance can be divided into two catagories, Vincible and Invincible. Ignorance is said to be invincible if an individual cannot rid himself of it through the exercise of moral diligence. Ignorance is vinicble if it can be cure throug the use of moral diligence.
What does that mean? It means that when making a moral decision a person must exercise a reasonable effort to attempt to discover the moral choice. Should the sin in question concern a matter of natual law then the person can reasonably be expect to know that his action are a sin.
We'll discus natural law tomorrow.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Deacons
Looming very large is an incident which happened in Buffalo, New York:
Now I'm a great fan of the deaconate. I have a good friend who is deacon, who has been a very great help in my spiritual growth.
It surprises many people that priests are not mentioned in scripture, at least not Christian priests, except possibly by the term elders or presbyters, which actually should be more closely translated as bishop. Deacons, however are a different story.
On the night he was betrayed Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles. then he dies, rose again, and ascended into Heaven. Pentecost came and the next thing you know the Apostles are saying, "We shouldn't ignore the Word of God to wait tables..." So they appoint deacons to do the serving. St. Steven, the first adult martyred in Christ's name, was one of these men.
Steven was a deacon and I think that has it's own significance. The Apostles were too busy to serve (the thing that Jesus told them was absolutely vital to their ministry) so they appoint others to do it. And God calls upon one of them to be killed while preaching the word of God, the first to die in his name. I wonder what the Apostles thought of that?
Now we have a modern deacon who is being persecuted for doing what his priest and bishop should be doing, which is pointing out to politicians who proclaim their Catholicism while voting against the tenants of the Church. Kind seems as if things never change.
So who and what are deacons? A deacon is a member of the Catholic clergy. They are ordained ministers. They are not members of the priesthood and do not have the facilities to say Mass or receive Confession, with the power to give absolution of sins confessed. They can perform Baptisms and Marriages. Deacons have a specific role at Mass. Among other things it is their duty to proclaim the Gospel, and a priest will only fill this role if there is no deacon serving.
In modern times, since Vatican II, there have been permanent and transitional deacons. A transitional deacon is one who has been ordained a deacon on the path to the priesthood. From ancient times there have been permanent deacons, but they fell out of favor in the last centuries. Besides St.Steven there have been other famous deacons. St. Francis of Assisi was one. St. Gregory the Great was a deacon at the time of his election as pope.
A deacon may be either a married or single man. Once he becomes a deacon a man may not marry. If a married deacon becomes a widower he may not remarry, though a dispensation may be granted if he has small children. A married man who wishes to take orders as a deacon must have his wife's permission.
Though he may serve in a parish under a priest, is to the bishop that a deacon is responsible. He serves at the parish not at the pleasure of the priest, but of the bishop.
Paul give us a descrition of the qualities necessary in a deacon in his First Letter to Timothy:
As might be expected this rather inflammatory story is not exactly what happened. Amy Welborn has a post in her comments by a parishioner who was actually there.The Buffalo Regional Right to Life Committee on Wednesday hailed a deacon who criticized Rep. Brian Higgins during Sunday Mass in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Deacon Tom McDonnell's rebuke of the Buffalo Democrat for voting for federal funding for embryonic stem cell research led Higgins to walk out of the church during his sermon.
Now I'm a great fan of the deaconate. I have a good friend who is deacon, who has been a very great help in my spiritual growth.
It surprises many people that priests are not mentioned in scripture, at least not Christian priests, except possibly by the term elders or presbyters, which actually should be more closely translated as bishop. Deacons, however are a different story.
On the night he was betrayed Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles. then he dies, rose again, and ascended into Heaven. Pentecost came and the next thing you know the Apostles are saying, "We shouldn't ignore the Word of God to wait tables..." So they appoint deacons to do the serving. St. Steven, the first adult martyred in Christ's name, was one of these men.
Steven was a deacon and I think that has it's own significance. The Apostles were too busy to serve (the thing that Jesus told them was absolutely vital to their ministry) so they appoint others to do it. And God calls upon one of them to be killed while preaching the word of God, the first to die in his name. I wonder what the Apostles thought of that?
Now we have a modern deacon who is being persecuted for doing what his priest and bishop should be doing, which is pointing out to politicians who proclaim their Catholicism while voting against the tenants of the Church. Kind seems as if things never change.
So who and what are deacons? A deacon is a member of the Catholic clergy. They are ordained ministers. They are not members of the priesthood and do not have the facilities to say Mass or receive Confession, with the power to give absolution of sins confessed. They can perform Baptisms and Marriages. Deacons have a specific role at Mass. Among other things it is their duty to proclaim the Gospel, and a priest will only fill this role if there is no deacon serving.
In modern times, since Vatican II, there have been permanent and transitional deacons. A transitional deacon is one who has been ordained a deacon on the path to the priesthood. From ancient times there have been permanent deacons, but they fell out of favor in the last centuries. Besides St.Steven there have been other famous deacons. St. Francis of Assisi was one. St. Gregory the Great was a deacon at the time of his election as pope.
A deacon may be either a married or single man. Once he becomes a deacon a man may not marry. If a married deacon becomes a widower he may not remarry, though a dispensation may be granted if he has small children. A married man who wishes to take orders as a deacon must have his wife's permission.
Though he may serve in a parish under a priest, is to the bishop that a deacon is responsible. He serves at the parish not at the pleasure of the priest, but of the bishop.
Paul give us a descrition of the qualities necessary in a deacon in his First Letter to Timothy:
The deacons, in like manner, must be grave, not double-tongued, not giving themselves to much wine, not persons who earn money by base methods; holding fast the secret of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also be first proved; then let them exercise the office of the deacon, being without blame. The women, in like manner, must be grave, not slanderers; but vigilant, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling well their children and their families. For they who have performed the office of a deacon well, procure to themselves an excellent degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Jesus Christ.Ans so it is still true today.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Mary in the Heart of every Christian.
From Vatican's Agenzia Fides:
The presence of the Mother of God in our lives is closely connected with the plan for sanctification and transformation which the Father, in Christ, has for each of us. Christ’s words “Behold your mother” (Jn 19, 27) are also the words of the Father consigned with the Holy Spirit to every disciple.Mary is only mentioned 19 times in scripture, but every time she is mentioned she points to her Son or to God the Father. From the Annunciation to Pentecost her purpose is to show us how a true disciple accepts God's grace and follows her Son. Her last recorded words in the Gospel of John (2:5):
The Blessed Virgin Mother has at heart our conversion which naturally depends on a life of prayer which opens us to charity. As at Cana, Mary intercedes for us as an Advocate of grace.
His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”shows us the way.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Mother Mary
Busy week, plus at least one day of computer problems. Early today I took my car over to Best Buy to get my Christmas present installed (XM radio). While waiting for the installation I went across the street to the Barnes & Noble bookstore and perused the Christian book section to kill time.
I couldn't resist The Complete Idiot's Guide to Mary of Nazareth. I spent an hour of so reading the first couple chapters and bought the book when the installation folks called to tell me my car was ready. (With another Christmas present; a B&N gift card.)
I'll steal material from it mercilessly for my Catechism class. Still have some cash left on my gift card, so I'll probably visit B&N again soon.
I couldn't resist The Complete Idiot's Guide to Mary of Nazareth. I spent an hour of so reading the first couple chapters and bought the book when the installation folks called to tell me my car was ready. (With another Christmas present; a B&N gift card.)
I'll steal material from it mercilessly for my Catechism class. Still have some cash left on my gift card, so I'll probably visit B&N again soon.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Sign of the Cross
Mac McLernon at Mulier Fortis has some information on the Sign of the Cross.
The sign itself originated in the sixth century, at least in the form used now, but goes back in some form to at least the second century. No where is it mentioned in scripture, but is a cultural tradition. As mentioned at Mulier Fortis the Blessed Virgin Mary made the Sign of the Cross when she appeared to St. Bernadette. In the Eastern Churches the sign is done from right-to-left. In the Latin Churches from left-to-right. It should always be done with the greatest reverence.
Often making the sign includes the use of Holy Water, as when entering or leaving Church. Holy water is, of course, a sacramental, and its use in this manner is intended to be a reminder of the Sacrament of Baptism.
We also begin and end our prayers with the Sign of the Cross. It is proper to use it as a personal devotion when receiving Communion. It is also properly used when saying the doxology during Liturgy of the Hours, which are also begun and ended with the Sign of the Cross (except for the Invitatory, which starts with a cross made on the forehead, which is the original form of the sign.)
The sign itself originated in the sixth century, at least in the form used now, but goes back in some form to at least the second century. No where is it mentioned in scripture, but is a cultural tradition. As mentioned at Mulier Fortis the Blessed Virgin Mary made the Sign of the Cross when she appeared to St. Bernadette. In the Eastern Churches the sign is done from right-to-left. In the Latin Churches from left-to-right. It should always be done with the greatest reverence.
Often making the sign includes the use of Holy Water, as when entering or leaving Church. Holy water is, of course, a sacramental, and its use in this manner is intended to be a reminder of the Sacrament of Baptism.
We also begin and end our prayers with the Sign of the Cross. It is proper to use it as a personal devotion when receiving Communion. It is also properly used when saying the doxology during Liturgy of the Hours, which are also begun and ended with the Sign of the Cross (except for the Invitatory, which starts with a cross made on the forehead, which is the original form of the sign.)
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