The whole interview at St. Louis ReviewDuring his visit to St. Louis last week, Cardinal Raymond L. Burke spent time with the Review, reflecting on his role with the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome, his service to the Universal Church, and life since being elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals last November. He also spoke on the topic of free will and what the Church teaches on the subject.
In summary, what does the Church teach on the subject of free will?
God made us in His own image and likeness. And that means that He made us to both know the truth and to live the truth in love. With our mind we come to know the truth; with our will, we love the truth and live the truth. Free will for us is never a question of license, namely doing whatever I please, because that really doesn't make us free. And all of us have had the experience when we've just done what we please. Indeed, we don't enjoy freedom. In fact, we become enslaved to one or another creature, or enslaved to a habit of sin.
Free will is developed in us through a discipline of our thoughts and our affections, and our words and our actions, so that they more and more are conformed to the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. And as we attain that conformity with the mind and heart of Jesus Christ, we experience a great freedom. We discover that freedom is not meant for my selfish enjoyment, but that true freedom is for the good of my brothers and sisters and the good of those who are around me. We discover that our greatest joy comes from being selfless and being generous and sacrificing ourselves, even when it hurts us very much, in order to love.
HT LC
2 comments:
Oh, dear. The LC Tribune must be gnashing their teeth. I guess the squeaky wheel doesn't always get the grease, after all.
Hahaha, I thought the same thing Kat! When you don't set out to trash someone, they're probably more likely to grant an interview.
Post a Comment