The fullness of our humanity

WE need to understand this point very well. Our humanity

is not just a matter of biology, the blend of genes that gives us our

unique identity. Such basis of our humanity would be no different from

that of the other animals whose identity is solely based on the genes

that are passed on to them from their parents. As such, animals are

governed only by their instincts, and are classified simply as family,

genus and species.

            We, of course, are also animals. We too have instincts and

are heavily influenced by them. But we are a lot more. In fact, we are

qualitatively different from them. Neither is our humanity a mere

matter of the play of social, economic, cultural or historical forces.

Of course, in this level, we are already very different from the other

animals. There is already quantum leap involved. But, no, our humanity

is not just that either.

            There is something in us that goes beyond genetics and

that directs and shapes our reactions to the different conditionings

we are subject to without getting entrapped by these conditionings. It

is our intelligence and will that, though needing some organs to

operate, enable us to do not merely material operations. They enable

us to do spiritual operations that transcend the material conditions

of our life.

            It is because of this endowment of our nature that we can

manage to go beyond the level of animality, though we can consider

ourselves as the best among the animals. It is this endowment that

would indicate that we have a spiritual soul, and not just animal soul

as our principle of life.

            It is this spiritual soul of ours that leads us to the

world of the spiritual and supernatural world of God who, as we get to

know things better, is the original source of everything. We just did

not come from our parents, and the parents of our parents, etc. We

come from God.

            We have to realize that our humanity in our earthly life

is still in the making. Yes, we are already men and women, no question

about that. We are already human beings. But we are not yet in the

fullness of our humanity. We still have to reach that goal. We are

still a work in progress.

            And to reach our fullness, we have to correspond to God’s

continuing work of creation and redemption of us. This is a basic

truth about ourselves that we have to be most aware of so we can act

on it properly. This means we have to know and love him as much as we

can. And knowing and loving him means doing his will, as Christ

himself said: “If you love, you will keep my commandments.” (Jn 14,15)

            We have to see to it that everyday, we somehow should be

aware that we are progressing toward that goal of the fullness of our

humanity, because we are consciously corresponding to God’s continuous

interventions in our life.

            At the end of the day as we make the examination of

conscience, we should feel convinced that irrespective of how the

drama of the day went, we are aware that we are approaching the

fullness of our humanity.

            Some people may say that this is a Christian or Catholic

thing only. This should not be told, much less, imposed on others who

are non-Christians. I believe that is a wrong conclusion to make. We,

of course, should not force people to do what we say and teach.

            But we should be allowed to explain, even as all of us

should also be open to the views of others, no matter how different or

in conflict their views are with ours. There has to be courteous

dialogue and exchange of views. I am sure, that despite our

differences and conflicts, we can still find some common ground

because in the end the truth can only be one.