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?

[Grateful2God]

God is merciful and just. It is up to Him to judge, for only He can see a person's soul. I as a human, Adm grateful for the Salvation and Mercy of Jesus. I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to try to lead a life according to God's Teachings through His Church. I owe Him anything I can say or do for His greater honor and glory and the good of souls, including my own. I am sorry when I fail, because God is worthy of the best I can give Him. I go to Confession with the priest in persons Christiand am given grace to help me do better. It's more difficult to speak to another person, than to simply say, "God, I'm sorry about _____", but it's worth it. I believe. Believe as you choose.

[Salvation]

That’s not what I believe. Hopefully you will be prepared.

[Iscool]

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.

That is incredibly ignorant...

[Iscool]

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.

But never, ever were they called Catholics...

[Salvation]

The first Christians WERE Catholics.

Not until the 1500s was there any other religion.

[Iscool]

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.

Ones testimony (or lack of) gives a fair indication tho...And when the testimony of your teaching religion tells us we have to go outside the scriptures to learn what more is needed to gain salvation, we can judge that testimony, by the scriptures...

[Iscool]

The first Christians WERE Catholics.

Not until the 1500s was there any other religion.

That is absolutely crazy on both counts...

[Iscool]

That’s not what I believe. Hopefully you will be prepared.

That's why you are a Catholic and I'm a bible believing Christian...

[metmom]

I know that and I am not making any claims about each individual’s personal relationship with Christ, if they have one.

My comment in post 4 was an observation that people can know ABOUT Jesus without having a relationship with Him.

I can know about obama ( and I already know more than I’d like) but that does not translate into me KNOWING him. I’ve never met the man. I don’t know him, I merely know about him.

And likewise for anyone, including God. One can know all about someone without ever having met them personally and in the spiritual realm, when eternity is at stake, one simply cannot afford to make that mistake.

[metmom]

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.

Show me chapter and verse where that is stated in the Bible, using the term *Catholic*.

Otherwise, it's mere opinion.

So for you, A Christian is a Catholic. Does that include Kennedy, Pelosi, Chavez, Mafia hit men, etc?

What is the NT definition of *Christian*? Is it not *follower of Christ*?

[metmom]

That is not what Scripture, that the Catholic church claims it wrote, teaches.

The Judgment seat of Christ is the judgment for believers.

The general judgment is for unbelievers, who, yes, will be judged by their works.

If someone rejects Jesus and the offer of forgiveness and eternal life He extends, and would rather go on their own merit, they will be judged as they want, (by their works) and it isn't going to end well because there is none righteous, and their sin will damn them.

People need to be careful what they ask for.

[Slyfox]

I never see an honest discussion out of you guys.

You and your brigade spend your time adding snarky comments to a Catholic thread and then you back up your snarky comments with hand selected Bible quotes which you think will immediately stop a discussion and put it in your favor.

What you really do is place Bible quotes on a baseball bat and you swing it at people's heads. That is not a good way to have a meaningful discussion where both sides are encouraged to learn something from each other.

Why do you use the Holy Bible in such a demeaning way?

[metmom]

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What else is truth based on if not Scripture?

Men's opinions?

I can't help it if you see presenting Scripture to support one's point of view as not having a meaningful discussion or bashing others with it (which is what the analogy of swinging a baseball bat at someone clearly implies).

So do you disagree with the premise that a person can know about God without knowing Him?

[Slyfox]

You, ma'am, do not know how to lovingly convince people of your opinion.

You are no different than a radical muslim throwing around bits of the Koran.

Why should I listen to someone who is shouting at me?

[Mrs. Don-o]

Its true there are two judgments, the Particular Judgment which happens to every person, both the righteous and the unrighteous, individually, right after your demise, and the General Judgment which happens to all the living and the resurrected dead, at the end of the world.

The particular judgment will be instantaneous, and some say that in the moment of death the soul is illuminated as to its own guilt or innocence and of its own initiation takes its course either to hell, or to purgatory, or to heaven. St. Paul said: "Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them, and their thoughts between themselves accusing, or also defending one another, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Romans 2:15-16).

So there we have, it seems to me, the Particular Judgment, with God judging the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.

[Grateful2God]

Funny, that word, "believer." What about the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Two "believers" passed the poor man by; but the Samaritan stopped and did something about it. He helped the man, not caring who he was.

I personally am tired of so many "believers" who take pride in their "belief" but are absolved from doing anything, on the premise that it will never be enough.

[Grateful2God]

As always, well said, Mrs. D! A hello out there to the Mr.! God bless you both!

[Iscool]

St. Paul said: "Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness to them, and their thoughts between themselves accusing, or also defending one another, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ (Romans 2:15-16).

This is not the judgment spoken of in Rom 14:10-12; 1 Cor 3:10, 4:5; and 2 Cor 5:1-10...In this judgment there are only Christians...And none of them go to hell (or purgatory)...

Its true there are two judgments, the Particular Judgment which happens to every person, both the righteous and the unrighteous, individually, right after your demise

Nope...There is no judgment for the unrighteous (unsaved) at their demise...

Joh_3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The second we're aware of sin against God, we're headed for hell...Christians however are judged the moment they are saved, and found to be just...

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

God could have written the bible like a dime store novel where every truth was layed out in a nice little package but obiously he chose not to do that...I suppose that's because he want his disciples to get immersed in the scriptures, so they miss nothing...He wants us to work at it...

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[metmom]

Projection.

[Iscool]

Funny, that word, "believer." What about the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Two "believers" passed the poor man by; but the Samaritan stopped and did something about it. He helped the man, not caring who he was.

I don't know what bible you use but mine says nothing about believers and a Samaritan...I'm thinking you just want to mock those of us who say we are believers by trying to connect us with those who left the guy lying on the road...

I personally am tired of so many "believers" who take pride in their "belief" but are absolved from doing anything, on the premise that it will never be enough.

So we believes should be more like you and this guy???

uk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luk 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

So there...Ya get a little scripture and a little dialogue...Plenty of room for discussion...