A Meditation on the Sins of the Intellect

When I was in the seminary, my Moral Theology Professor, Fr. Robert Zylla (R.I.P.), encouraged us to meditate on the sins of the intellect during the third sorrowful mystery (The Crowning with Thorns). In his years of teaching he had surely witnessed the intellectual pride that could beset theologians and seminary students who figured they knew a few things. And added to this human tendency to intellectual pride was the rather prideful sense of the 20th century that we had somehow “come of age.” Dissent from church teaching was rampant and what came to be called the “hermeneutic of rupture and discontinuity” was in full flower. Many dismissed things merely because they were “old” and “pre-Vatican II.” Our advanced technology, tall buildings, terrifying weapons of war, and astonishing techniques of medicine had mesmerized us; we confused mere knowledge with wisdom. Knowing how to get to the moon and back is impressive, but only wisdom and humility, with lots of grace and mercy, can get us to Heaven.

Yes, the sins of the intellect must be consistently monitored and curbed with proper humility and docility (the Latin root docile means to be teachable) to the teachings of the Church. Garry Wills, a noted dissenter during those heady times, coined the phrase Mater si, Magistra no (Mother yes, Teacher no) to indicate that there was no need for him or others to accept the Church’s teaching authority. So sad, yet so emblematic of our times. Many today simply sniffle and dismiss the need for any teaching from the Church.

Our intellect is our greatest strength yet also our biggest struggle. We think we know a few things. And we do know a few things, very few. And insisting that we know so much, we shut down and will no longer listen to the Wisdom of God in His Church, time-tested, stretching back for millennia, the glory of the saints, and a treasure more precious than gold for those who love the Law of the Lord.

For meditation during Holy Week, I read through Jesus of Nazareth, Part II (Holy Week) by Joseph Ratzinger. In it, he writes of the dangers and sins of the intellect as he meditates on Jesus’ words from the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Consider this teaching on the sins and limits of the intellect from one of the great intellects of our time:

Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). … The theme of “not knowing” returns in St. Peter’s sermon in the Acts of the Apostles … “Now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers” (3:17). … The theme of not knowing also appears in one of St. Paul’s autobiographical reflections. He recalls that he himself “formally blasphemed and persecuted and insulted Jesus” then he continues, “But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim 1:13).

This combination of expert knowledge and deep ignorance certainly causes us to ponder. It reveals the whole problem of a knowledge that remains self-sufficient and does not arrive at Truth itself.

We encounter the same combination of knowledge and failure to understand in the story of the wise men from the East. The chief priests and the scribes know exactly where the Messiah is to be born. But they do not recognize him. Despite their knowledge, they remain blind (Matthew 2:4–6).

Clearly this mixture of knowledge and ignorance, of material expertise and deep incomprehension occurs in every period of history. For this reason, what Jesus says [from the cross] about ignorance … is bound to be unsettling for the supposedly learned today. Are we not blind precisely as a people with knowledge? … Ignorance diminishes guilt, and it leaves open the path to conversion. But it does not simply excuse, because at the same time it reveals a deadening of the heart that resists the call of Truth [pp. 206-208].

Consider well, especially as you pray the third sorrowful mystery (the Crowning with Thorns), the sins of the intellect; it would make Fr. Zylla happy. As a parting thought, I ask you to ponder the danger described by St. Paul: For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools (Rom 1:21-22).

Save us, Lord, from our foolishness and transform our minds!

I’ll admit this video is a little on the light side given the topic, but the point is that we don’t even understand those closest to us. How, then, can we understand that which is above us?

How can a person call themselves a follower of Jesus, and not do good works.

Hello!!! That is exactly my point. That what I was saying, and it's not even a matter of making myself do it. It's the natural outflowing of the work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life. There are those to whom Jesus will say *when you did it to the least of those His brothers, you did it to Me*, and they'll wonder when they did that.

It's those who brag on their works or appeal to them who don't make it.

For God's sake, I am so sick and tired of the "love your neighbor as yourself" being left out of the equation, and people deciding who is saved and who is not, as if they were God, and either Bible thumping or gloating at other people they think are not saved, or born again, or whatever.

Who's leaving it out of the equation and how?

And as far as deciding who is and who is not saved, that goes both ways. There are plenty of Catholics on this board who do that very thing to non-Catholics, supported by the CCC.

Don't forget to include them.

I don't know of any non-Catholic denomination who has it in their statement of faith that you have to be one of them do be saved or part of their church and yet the Catholic church in its own CCC states and I quote "Outside the Church there is no salvation"

Where's the charity, the love for our neighbor, that Christ told us was the second greatest commandment?

Telling someone the truth is the greatest love that a person can show another. Especially is you see that person on a road that Scripture indicates leads to hell.

It's those who brag on their works or appeal to them who don't make it."

Have I boasted? When? What I do is my business. I have to account for myself. I am also not responsible for the politicians in your recent post. Nor am I responsible for the Italian stereotype. My family was not wealthy, nor influential, nor criminal, thank you.

And as far as deciding who is and who is not saved, that goes both ways. There are plenty of Catholics on this board who do that very thing to non-Catholics, supported by the CCC.

The Second Vatican Council speaks of salvation outside the Church in Lumen Gentium, nos. 14 and 16. Here are the pertinent sections from those two articles: 14. This Sacred Council wishes to turn its attention firstly to the Catholic faithful. Basing itself upon Sacred Scripture and Tradition, it teaches that the Church, now sojourning on earth as an exile, is necessary for salvation. Christ, present to us in His Body, which is the Church, is the one Mediator and the unique way of salvation. In explicit terms He Himself affirmed the necessity of faith and baptism (cf. Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5) and thereby affirmed also the necessity of the Church, for through baptism as through a door men enter the Church. Whosoever, therefore, knowing that the Catholic Church was made necessary by Christ, would refuse to enter or to remain in it, could not be saved. [. . .] 16. [. . .] Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel. She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life.

Telling someone the truth is the greatest love that a person can show another. Especially is you see that person on a road that Scripture indicates leads to hell.

Well-intentioned? That's between the posters and God. Some may genuinely care, and some genuinely interested in discussion; some come across as being pompous, self-aggrandizing and even gloating. Again, that's between them and God: I'm responsible for what I post.

Kindly stated, Mom!

But honestly, if you look under the Religion heading here on FR, wicca is listed. They will read what is written even if they don't reply. I'm not picking on you, Mom, nor even any of your ping list, whatever differences we have: we are advised of worshipping Mary, despite repeated statements the she is not God. These people pray to people who have not known, or have rejected The One True God! I know intercessory prayer is frowned upon and expiatory suffering regarded as untruth by some noon Catholics in these forums. If you will not do that, and it is your choice, them can you not get your ping list and post? I may not agree with all you say, but the strong, no-holds-barred approach seen here, with the knowledge of Scripture would make you all formidable opponents. As has been said by the ping list, souls are at stake! You all have plenty to say about what you believe: it's needed there, as well- or more! You said that you can warn people, then there are two FReeper threads in which you all can do a great amount of good!

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