Perfection & Forgiveness
In a recent article (NZ Catholic, July 16-29, 2017) and based on a teaching of St John of the Cross, Ronald Rolheiser wrote:
“You cannot be a saint or a highly moral person if you allow yourself a moral exemption or two. Thus, I may not allow myself to split off one moral flaw or sinful habit and see it as unimportant in the light of my positive qualities and the overall good that I do.”
He gives one example, among others, as follows:
“Failure to be sensitive to who is weak and vulnerable in one area deeply compromises one’s moral standing on other issues [to do with justice and peace].”
Virtually all of us will never be declared to be a saint and most of us have moral lapses. However, Rolheiser urges us to forgive ourselves our inconsistencies so that we can do some good.
Since none of us is perfect I guess that’s a message we can all accept.
“You cannot be a saint or a highly moral person if you allow yourself a moral exemption or two. Thus, I may not allow myself to split off one moral flaw or sinful habit and see it as unimportant in the light of my positive qualities and the overall good that I do.”
He gives one example, among others, as follows:
“Failure to be sensitive to who is weak and vulnerable in one area deeply compromises one’s moral standing on other issues [to do with justice and peace].”
Virtually all of us will never be declared to be a saint and most of us have moral lapses. However, Rolheiser urges us to forgive ourselves our inconsistencies so that we can do some good.
Since none of us is perfect I guess that’s a message we can all accept.
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