From different angles

WE have to see to it that in considering a particular

issue or an opinion or position expressed by some people, we should

look first into the different angles from which these things spring

and we listen to all sides.

            That way, we can be more assured of getting a better and

fairer picture of things. We should be wary of making judgments, no

matter how tentative, and worse when they are made quite final, before

we consider those angles.

            We need to know where those issues and the people

expressing their opinions are coming from. We have to consider the

context and the perspectives within which people’s views and position

are made.

            We cannot deny that a certain convergence of circumstances

can produce issues, and the way people are somehow determines the kind

of views and opinions that they have. We always have our preferences

and biases, not to mention that we are always subjected to many

conditionings in our life.

            We have different temperaments and backgrounds—cultural,

historical, social, professional, etc.—and these certainly are factors

that get involved into the making of our views and opinions.

            To be able to consider the different angles and to have a

more or less stable standard for judging issues and opinions, we have

to realize that it is our union with God that would constitute as our

fundamental guide.

            And since this union is at best tenuous, considering our

human condition, we have to realize that our judgments can only be

tentative at best. To counter that condition, we really need to spend

time praying, getting in touch with God and trying to be knowledgeable

about all his teachings, and spiritually united with him especially in

the recourse to the sacraments, so we can approximate the way God

would consider those issues and opinions.

            If need be, we may have to consult another person whom we

can trust and who we think has the competence to guide us in a

particular issue. This is part of prudence which should mark our

judgments.

            Let’s remember that that only when we are with God, that

is, when we are spiritual and supernatural in our outlook, can we

judge things properly.  St. Paul said something relevant in this

regard:

            “The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be

judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to

instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2,15-16)

            Having the “mind of Christ” is, of course, possible if we

also do our part. That means we have to study his life and teachings

for, after all, he is the “way, the truth and the life” for us.

            We should refrain from making judgments of such

absoluteness and definitiveness that they cannot stand any more

modification and enrichment, revision or even rejection. Such

judgments can only bring us unnecessary troubles.

            There has to be a certain openness in our judgments. In

this, it would help if we practice some degree of restraint and

moderation in our judgments, a certain detachment from our own

personal views.

            Especially these days when we are bombarded with many

issues and the possibilities of having differences and conflicts with

others are multiplying, we need to be most aware of the need for

restraint and moderation.

            Let’s remember that in our discourse, we are not only

dealing with ideas and arguments. We are dealing, first of all, with

persons who have to be understood and loved no matter how wrong he may

be in a certain issue. The value and the virtue that has to be given

priority is charity, and not who is right and who is wrong.

            Let’s do everything to promote the practice of considering

the different angles before making any pronouncements and judgments

over an issue or an opinion.