Constant Struggle toward the Good

Can't get the sin out?

Ever wonder why the right thing to do is usually the hard thing? Every day we faced with moral decisions and sometimes even usually good things can be corrupted by how we go about it, sometimes we desire intrinsically wrong things, and sometimes despite our good intentions and good actions a decision is corrupted by the context. Often aligning our desires is the hard part, being diligent about doing/saying/thinking in the context is easier, and being conscious of our moment-to-moment act itself is easiest. Being fallen creatures our hearts tend to wander not only to lesser goods. However, our struggle must be aimed at the highest good, the greatest possible outcome if we are to finally avoid evil and actually attain the good.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says “Either man governs his passions and finds peace, or he lets himself be dominated by them and becomes unhappy. "Man's dignity therefore requires him to act out of conscious and free choice, as moved and drawn in a personal way from within, and not by blind impulses in himself or by mere external constraint. Man gains such dignity when ridding himself of all slavery to the passions, he presses forward to his goal by freely choosing what is good and, by his diligence and skill, effectively secures for himself the means suited to this end."” It is clear thus that though we are not disposed to the good as fallen creatures, we are still to do something about it. Jesus Himself commands us to strive for perfection and likeness to God the Father (Matthew 5:48).

In conclusion, maybe the point is not being perfect or pretending to be, but rather being in the struggle toward the good. Is progress good, and even at times necessary? Absolutely! What about failure, is it unacceptable? No, it is to be expected, in fact. Sometimes people are not capable of much progress, others are currently not where they are supposed to be. Very often hurt is the reason for both. Conversion is by nature a process and although we need to continue struggling toward better, we ought not to despair over where we are. God loves us where we are and others are called likewise, however if love is truly willing the good i.e. the salvation of others, we cannot let those we love stay there. We cannot let ourselves stay there, we must, as our nature was made for, seek healing, move forward on that narrow path, and grow in love. Objectivity and subjectivity are equally important in loving ourselves and our fellow creatures. Life is not a competition but a journey, so why not accept help? Not doing bad is much easier than doing good very often. God is Goodness Itself, and Who is our destination.

FN:

  1.  Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2339.

Written by Carter Carruthers & also available at Vivat Agnus Dei