| Friday, September 16, 2005 Meditation 1 Timothy 6:2-12 As an apostle, Paul labored and prayed that the first believers be rooted in “the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:9). In English, the word “sound” comes from the German word gesund, meaning “healthy.” Thus, what is sound is well and whole, not diseased or injured. Paul used the Greek word hugiaino —the root of the English word “hygiene,” the practice of maintaining good health—to describe what is sound: that which is “in accordance with the glorious gospel” entrusted to Paul and the apostles (1 Timothy 1:11). In our prevailing culture of relativism and pragmatism, it can be difficult to discern what is true and sound. But by staying rooted in Christ we can overcome the pitfalls that lead to division, disagreement, and moral confusion. Pope John Paul II often taught that when we turn to the Lord, we will “receive from him the answer to [our] questions about what is good and what is evil. Christ is the Teacher, the Risen One who has life in himself and who is always present in his church and in the world. It is he who opens up to the faithful the book of the Scriptures and, by fully revealing the Father’s will, teaches the truth about moral action” (The Splendor of Truth, 8). Neither public opinion nor science has the right to dictate moral norms. Nor should they dictate our position on issues such as embryonic stem cell research, cloning, capital punishment, and assisted suicide. Rather, we need to measure our outlook on these crucial matters against the trustworthy teaching of the church. For, in addressing such concerns and questions, “the church’s reply contains the voice of Jesus Christ, the voice of the truth about good and evil. In the words spoken by the church there resounds, in people’s inmost being, the voice of God who ‘alone is good’ (Matthew 19:17), who alone is love (1 John 4:6,8)” (The Splendor of Truth, 117). Guided by Jesus’ voice of truth, we will be equipped to form moral judgments confidently and make right choices and sound decisions peacefully. And that’s how we will be able to reflect Jesus’ truth—and his overflowing love—to those around us. “Come, Holy Spirit, and enlighten our minds and hearts. Show us all that is true and sound, all that leads to the fullness of life.” Psalm 49:6-10,17-20; Luke 8:1-3 |
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