A Meditation on the Sins of the Intellect

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 04-08-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

A Meditation on the Sins of the Intellect

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

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?

[CynicalBear]

That Mariology stuff and those prayers to Mary is just sick.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"Only the saved are before the Judgment seat of Christ and that is only for rewards for works done."

Not so. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Read especially the last two verses:

"Then he will say to them, ‘I tell all of you with certainty, since you didn’t do it for one of the least important of these, you didn’t do it for me.’ These [unrighteous] people will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

He's definitely dealing with both the sheep and the goats.

[metmom]

That’s the final judgment, not the judgment of the believers, who are his Bride and already with Him in heaven.

[Salvation]

Even at the particular judgment — at the moment of our deaths, Christ can send us either to heaven or to hell or to Purgatory.

[metmom]

Not for someone who is a new creature in Christ.

The one who sins are forgiven has already passed from death to life. They are no longer under condemnation and to be away from the body is to be with Christ, where the believer is already seated with Christ in heaven.

Jesus will not damn the person He died to save who is trusting Him. He would never commit such a betrayal and breach of trust.

[Salvation]

Your doctrine is mistaken in my opinion. No one can be saved once and for all......and then not commit sin. We are all humans and we are sinners.

I don’t think that theory holds water at all.

[metmom]

OK. In that case, we need to clear up some definitions.

What is a Christian, in your opinion?

Is a Christian a follower of Christ?

[metmom]

Your doctrine is mistaken in my opinion. No one can be saved once and for all......and then not commit sin. We are all humans and we are sinners.

Scripture doesn't teach that Christians, those who are saved, never commit sin.

Yes, you can be saved and still commit sin. It happens because we're human and weak.

[Grateful2God]

"And again, knowing about what Jesus suffered doesn't necessarily equate to having a personal relationship with Him and knowing Him in experience."

Each person's experience is different, as God is infinite and each person is unique. That relationship is personal and sometimes cannot be put into words. Each breath we take is an act of God's will. He is omnipresent and omniscient. Thus one should not doubt the validity of another's experience based on one's own. The Creator and the soul that thirsts for Him share a unique, and so is their Divine intimacy.

[Grateful2God]

"...pride is at the top of the list for many."

True, and terribly difficult to overcome.

[Salvation]

St. Paul first called the disciples Christians in Antioch. All there were at that time were Catholics. So Catholics were the first Christians according to St. Paul.

Acts:11:26: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

[Salvation]

Acts 11 (RSV)

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul;

26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

[Grateful2God]

I don't know how anyone could not take in the mystery of the Crowning of Thorns AND NOT HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST

Contemplation of the Mysteries of the Rosary (most especially the Sorrowful) and of the Way of the Cross have been a powerful road to sanctity for many of our Saints whose words are written. It's a common Thread; the road to Calvary in our lives and that of Jesus, especially when united in contemplation and prayer is efficacious for our souls and those of our brethren in humanity-and bring us closer to God.

[Grateful2God]

You have no concept of what I understand about Jesus and a relationship with Him because you can’t read my mind.

With all due respect, your post, however it was intended, came off as being a bit of a put-down.
As for this last post, I'm sorry about your perceived impression of Catholicism, and the negativity expressed in forum. The encapsulated description reflects the fullness of our beliefs so incompletely, and thus less than accurately to the reader. God bless you, and give you peace!

[Grateful2God]

"Yup, Catholic relationship with Jesus is coming groveling to Mary to beg for forgiveness from God and Jesus."

Again, judgement of another's, in this case, 1.2 billion others' relationship with / experience of God in their lives is neither accurate nor possible.

[Grateful2God]

Sorry for the misunderstanding.
People beg Mary, is what I meant.

That apology should have been directed to a wider audience.
One who believes in the Church's teaching on Mary is not quite so simple, nor does it consist of "groveling." Admitting one's faults and asking for assistance in overcoming them, as well as for forgiveness is an act between the soul and God in striving to be a better person for love of him, and a desire for the salvation, not only of one's soul, but those of others, through the Mercy of God.

[Grateful2God]

Does not Revelation state that Jesus will return to judge all men? Catholics believe that we are judged in particular, that is, one-on-one when we die; Jesus' return to us as in Revelation is what we refer to add the General Judgement.

[Grateful2God]

That is not what the Catholic Church teaches. It is what you profess. Of course it would be different.

[Iscool]

That is a disgusting Catholic prayer...

[Iscool]

Even at the particular judgment — at the moment of our deaths, Christ can send us either to heaven or to hell or to Purgatory.

Negatory on the hell and the purgatory...

THAT judgment is for Christians only...No one goes to hell...It is a cleansing...We can not enter heaven with sin...The sin at that judgment is separated from what is not sin and completely burned up...There will be no more record of that sin...Thus we enter into heaven clean...