18/12/2023
"๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ "
Freedom entails responsibility. This is void in the way the people are going with the โI donโt owe anyone anythingโ mindset that has been gradually rising within our society in recent years. A portion of the population are adapting to this mantra with the idea of โself-careโ, thus, populating the individualistic ideology. Which, quite frankly, is a quite self-centered mindset to have. You donโt always have to submit to everybodyโs whims, however, it doesnโt mean you have to only care and think about yourself. Being free means you have to be accountable for your actions and how it will affect those around you, even ignorance requires accountability.
God specifically stated that we must love our neighbors and care for his creations. So, as people of God, we are obliged to care for each other and act according to Godโs principles and teachings. In doing so, we can build a better and just world.
In fact, Faith plays a vital role in pushing for the progress of collective humanity, not just Catholics. In this manner, it can be seen that Faith pushes for intersubjectivity.
โFaith is truly a good for everyone; it is a common good. Its light does not simply brighten the Interior of the Church, nor does it serve solely to build an eternal city in the hereafter; it helps us build our societies in such a way that they can journey towards a future of hope.โ (Lumen Fidei, 51)
In this progressive age, so many ideologies and trends have appeared which has caused a change in the people โ specifically, the youthโs โ mental and spiritual state. A lot of our generation today are feeling lost and hopeless due to the lack of faith in their lives. The pandemic and the chaos it brought to the world caused an undeniable shift in our daily lives. In the midst of darkness and isolation, an irrevocable change had been manifested in todayโs society. Due to the health restrictions and protocols, we havenโt been allowed to go into church and attend the holy mass weekly. Moreover, the over exposure to the internet and social media has affected the youthโs perception and habits. Its effects are evident in the youthโs current mental and spiritual state.
โYet in the absence of light everything becomes confused; it is impossible to tell good from evil, or the road to our destination from other roads which take us in endless circles, going nowhere. (Lumen Fidei, 3)โ
Which is why one must help the self first so that they can help others effectively. Faith illuminates the entire being of a person, who in turn, shines their light unto the world.
"Faith transforms the whole person precisely to the extent that he or she becomes open to love." (Lumen Fidei, 26)
Lumen Fidei calls us to the light. The light of Faith illuminates everything around it.
In the presence of light, our vision becomes clearer and weโre able to view it in a better perspective. In spite of the darkness that clouds the world, we can continue to shine through the love that God has for us.
Lumos Fidem | December 18, 2023
