23 January 2019
Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
During the 17th century, the Jesuits received condemnation from the French philosopher and scientist Blaise Pascal. Beginning in 1656, Pascal penned a series of witty criticisms of the Jesuit attempt to answer—in a general — the question raised by today’s gospel reading: Should a person heal (which implies work) on the Sabbath? This foray between the dictates of conscience and the commands of law became known as casuistry, a field of studies that gained the Jesuits no end of ridicule from Pascal and then latter, by the bon vivant of the French Enlightenment, Voltaire. The reason the Jesuits placed themselves in the midst of this thorny situation was the same reason why they placed themselves in difficult situations throughout their history including such as the missions in India, China, and high schools in the United States. Jesuits went where God’s work needed to be done. Jesus raised a crucial question that cannot be simply answered. Laws are created with experience and legislate sound reflex in most situations. For example: You should not run a red light. What would happen if law was substituted for personal whim? – Lots of accidents. But there are cases when proceeding against a red light makes sense, keeping caution in mind. Jesuits followed the maxim that an informed conscience can make a good choice in a difficult situation. The Jesuits emphasized, by their work in education, the importance of an informed conscience constantly reiterating that personal whim does not create a good reason for going contrary to an approved law. The balance between slavish adherence to law and total disregard requires, as Ignatius would say, a discerning mind and heart, ever attentive to what would be to the greater Glory and honor of God.