By Eugene Hemrick
Yeshua Institute Fellow
An increase in selfish self-centeredness and the deterioration of dignified speech are growing indications of today’s malfunctioning moral compass.
Evil is defined as “what ought not to be.” It is the direct opposite of sound morality. A concerning danger facing our country -- “what ought not to be” -- is a rapidly growing increase in unhealthy dispositions.
Disposition is the core of the moral compass. It is what influences us, causing us to go one way and avoid another. The epitome of a morally sound compass is the reflection of God's graciousness, a God who desires oneness with us in a loving partnership of friendship. Graciousness and its spirit of humility is the magnet responsible for keeping our compass pointing in the right direction.
One of the most destructive vices destroying sound disposition is the growing virus of a “me society” in which there is overly concern about “my” freedom, philosophy, political beliefs and individuality, on the one hand, and less willingness to be open to others, on the other.
This righteous "mentality” is a 2022 scourge more devastating than the pandemic because it is destroying fruitful dialogue and the hope of achieving any sense of unity.
Undoubtedly, personal preferences and one’s beliefs are a vital part of life. When embraced, rationally and heartfelt, they have the power to strengthen faith, increase hope and enkindle love.
Firm faith generates commitment and is an anchor keeping us from uncontrolled drifting. Hope enables us to be forward looking toward new horizons. And love overcomes all.
When, however, the heart hardens and mentalities stiffen, friendships no longer can survive. Chaos results and God’s rule of order and its definitive direction is incapacitated.
What is one antidote for correcting a limping moral compass?
Camaraderie driven by a warm heart and healthy disposition is one answer. They are the direct antithesis of cold heartedness, stubbornness, and falling into recession.
Another indication of a disordered moral compass is the deterioration of rhetoric. The continuous rhetoric of character assassination far exceeds the praise we hear of persons lauded for possessing outstanding integrity.
And too, destructive innuendo is forever being employed as a means of demeaning a person’s integrity. Not only is untruthfulness more prevalent but it is twisted -- often leaving the public confused and distrustful of government.
What is a sound spiritual remedy for insuring a healthy moral compass?
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are the place to look.
- The first gift of Wisdom implores us to seek the principal cause, to seek the bottom of the truth of the matter and to be dissatisfied with less than an all-out effort to obtain it.
- Knowledge is an illumination of the mind that implores us to seek God’s light and to study God’s will and providence to learn more clearly the direction we should take.
- Fortitude is another word for courage. It entails a heart that remains firm when challenged to retreat from the truth and the threatening cry of the crowd.
- Piety and Fear of the Lord encourage us to realize that all in this world is under God’s providence and to bow before God’s will when coping with life’s difficult challenges.
- Lastly, Understanding, like wisdom, prompts us to seek the uniqueness of a situation or a person with whom to enjoy an “I-thou” relationship, knocking down barriers of misunderstanding that spawn disunity.
History has repeatedly shown the downfall of civilizations occurred when they deserted their moral compass in bypassing the wisdom of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. When embraced they contain a moral compass par excellence for living God’s peace on earth.
* * *
Adapted from a column published by Catholic News Service, published with the permission of the author. Fr. Eugene Hemrick is Director of the National Institute for the Renewal of the Priesthood, and a research associate with the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at the Catholic University of America. The prolific author has been a weekly nationally syndicated columnist for Catholic News Service since 1980, and has written five books. Learn more about him here.