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A Meditation on the Sins of the Intellect
Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 04-08-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 04/09/2015 8:22:13 AM PDT by Salvation

A Meditation on the Sins of the Intellect

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

thorns

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?



TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; foolishness; intellect; msgrcharlespope; prayer; sin; sins; sinsoftheintellect
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To: Grateful2God
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.

Nothing we can do will ever be *enough*. That's why Jesus had to die.

One sin damns us and the wages of sin is death, a debt we cannot pay by our works.

If we lives an otherwise perfect life except for that one sin, without forgiveness through the death of Jesus we would still go to hell.

We cannot redeem ourselves and cannot do it by our works.

Do you understand the purpose of works in the life of the Christian, the saved person?

61 posted on 04/10/2015 8:08:40 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: Iscool; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; CynicalBear; daniel1212; Gamecock; ...
Christians however are judged the moment they are saved, and found to be just...

Because we are declared just by the court of heaven, having the record of our debt to God being canceled, and the righteous life and deeds of Jesus being credited to our account.

Once we are declared righteous by God, we are saved.

If someone who claims to have put their trust in Christ for salvation or who even merely claims to believe in God is going to hell, they are not saved.

No saved person goes to hell. Hell is what we're being saved from.

You can't be saved (from hell) and end up going there.

If they think that someone who is saved is going to hell, I'd sure love to know what the heck the saved person is then saved from.

62 posted on 04/10/2015 8:13:27 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
Nothing we can do will ever be *enough*. That's why Jesus had to die."

Ok, we agree on that.

63 posted on 04/10/2015 8:42:13 AM PDT by Grateful2God (Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord...)
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To: Grateful2God

OK. So then if our works aren’t good enough to save us, then why do them?


64 posted on 04/10/2015 8:46:35 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
One sin damns us and the wages of sin is death, a debt we cannot pay by our works."

What of St.Paul making up in his body what was lacking in the suffering of Christ? How do you interpret that?

Does your logic absolve you from doing good works, simply put of compassion, or because it's the right thing to do? Would you have passed the man by, or helped him?

65 posted on 04/10/2015 8:47:06 AM PDT by Grateful2God (Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord...)
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To: metmom
Do you understand the purpose of works in the life of the Christian, the saved person?"

According to your interpretation, no.

The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus died for all men. Without His Death, NO ONE could be able to live forever with God in Heaven.

This is an opportunity for all. Our circumstances, beliefs, obedience, prayer, chances to know, love and serve God AND OUR NEIGHBOR are all factored in when we die and appear before God in our particular judgement.

Do you think the prophets, patriarchs and men of God will in the OT are in heaven? Or are they not "saved?" Saved to a Catholic means you're safe from hell in purgatory or in heaven with God.

The way many arguments are worded here shows "saved" as claiming to believe in St. Paul's epistles, according to each persons own interpretation.

66 posted on 04/10/2015 9:15:36 AM PDT by Grateful2God (Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord...)
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To: metmom

There was NO other religion. Everyone was Catholic.


67 posted on 04/10/2015 9:25:28 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: metmom
BTW, history is my ally, here. ally noun Definition of ALLY someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support Synonyms abettor (also abetter), backer, bedfellow, confederate, fellow traveler, supporter, sympathizer
68 posted on 04/10/2015 9:27:53 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

Show it from Scripture.

Where is the word *Catholic* found?


69 posted on 04/10/2015 9:38:42 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
Get a clue:


70 posted on 04/10/2015 9:41:05 AM PDT by Slyfox (I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever)
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To: Grateful2God
What of St.Paul making up in his body what was lacking in the suffering of Christ? How do you interpret that?

I have never been sure, but it isn't for salvation.

When one is born again/born from above, he becomes a new creature in Christ, having the Spirit living in him giving him that life.

Works are simply the natural outflowing of that Christ life in the the born again believer.

The works are not done out of obligation. They're done because that's what Jesus, who lives in the believer, would do. It's the fruit of the Spirit being expressed or manifest in the born again be3liever's life.

71 posted on 04/10/2015 9:43:39 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: Grateful2God
This is an opportunity for all. Our circumstances, beliefs, obedience, prayer, chances to know, love and serve God AND OUR NEIGHBOR are all factored in when we die and appear before God in our particular judgement.

Only for reward, not for salvation.

Salvation is based solely on faith in Christ.

Those who believe in Him have already passed from death into life.

John 3:3-8 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:14-18 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Maybe you can tell me. What is the purpose of the Law? Why did God give it?

72 posted on 04/10/2015 9:46:40 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: Slyfox

Yessirree, appealing to church fathers and claiming that all early Christians were Catholics by default sure is a logical fallacy and appeal to authority and antiquity.


73 posted on 04/10/2015 9:48:04 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom

You are an impossible idiot. I am done.


74 posted on 04/10/2015 9:54:14 AM PDT by Slyfox (I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever)
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To: Slyfox

I won’t be baited and I’m the idiot?

And I should want to cross the Tiber for what reason again?


75 posted on 04/10/2015 9:55:29 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
Take a look at the top of this thread at the topic. No one is trying to convert you to Catholicism. You are projecting something no Catholic on this site would want you to do. I don't want you to be Catholic. You guys don't get it. If everyone does not cotton to your way of thinking they are wrong? You are no different from the Taliban.
76 posted on 04/10/2015 10:01:47 AM PDT by Slyfox (I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever)
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To: Grateful2God; metmom
What of St.Paul making up in his body what was lacking in the suffering of Christ? How do you interpret that?

Your religion has twisted that verse beyond comprehension...Do you honestly think that with the beatings and pain and death Jesus went thru that it was not enough??? That Christians had to make up for it because Jesus did not suffer enough???

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,

Paul rejoices that he suffers...

and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh

Paul is glad that he is suffering, ie, his 'thorn in the flesh', going hungry at times, being beaten almost to death, etc., because his pain and suffering is so far behind what Jesus had to suffer for him and the church...

Paul is well behind in the afflictions in his flesh than Jesus was in His...Therefore he rejoices in some small way that he can be afflicted for the church's sake...

77 posted on 04/10/2015 10:06:04 AM PDT by Iscool
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To: Slyfox; metmom
Take a look at the top of this thread at the topic. No one is trying to convert you to Catholicism. You are projecting something no Catholic on this site would want you to do. I don't want you to be Catholic. You guys don't get it. If everyone does not cotton to your way of thinking they are wrong? You are no different from the Taliban.

How about you read the same scripture that metmom posted and tell her from that scripture where she is wrong...

78 posted on 04/10/2015 10:12:16 AM PDT by Iscool
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To: Slyfox

You’re here telling me that I’m wrong.

How is what you’re condemning me for any different that what anyone else does on these threads?

Oh, and BTW, I don’t go around telling people that if they aren’t (fill in the blank with my denomination) they are going to hell, as Catholicism is known to do.


79 posted on 04/10/2015 10:15:23 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom

Projection.


80 posted on 04/10/2015 10:16:47 AM PDT by Slyfox (I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever)
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