Previous reflections   The 16 Documents of Vatican II Resolution  


Reflection
 120:   Based on the Vatican II document 
Gaudium et Spes (Church in the world) 
Article 16


Article 16 makes sense as it stands (...just needs gender changes..):

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"In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law which he does not impose upon himself,
but which holds him to obedience.

Always summoning him to love good and avoid evil,
the voice of conscience when necessary speaks to his heart: do this, shun that.
For man has in his heart a law written by God;
to obey it is the very dignity of man; according to it he will be judged.

Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man.
There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths.
In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor.

In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of men in the search for truth,
and for the genuine solution to the numerous problems which arise in the life of individuals from social relationships.
Hence the more right conscience holds sway,
the more persons and groups turn aside from blind choice
and strive to be guided by the objective norms of morality.

Conscience frequently errs from invincible ignorance without losing its dignity.
The same cannot be said for a man who cares but little for truth and goodness,
or for a conscience which by degrees grows practically sightless as a result of habitual sin."

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A beautiful reflection on the above words:
Conscience as wisdom of the heart by Brian Lewis

God, help us know the shortness of life
so that we may have wisdom of heart

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Comments welcome here