029 20 411 819
New Zealand Road, Cardiff, CF14 3BR

Saint Joseph’s R.C. Parish

Holy Week: Maundy Thursday

Confirmation 2023

Conscience and Choices

We have to make choices all the time. Some of those choices are trivial and straightforward. But even some of the simplest-looking choices can lead to consequences we cannot foresee. So how should we go about making life’s choices? What do we need in order to make good choices?

“Moral conscience, present at the heart of the person, enjoins him or her at the appropriate moment to do good and to avoid evil. It also judges particular choices, approving those that are good and denouncing those that are evil. It bears witness to the authority of truth in reference to the supreme Good to which the human person is drawn, and it welcomes the commandments. When they listen to their conscience, those who are wise can hear God speaking.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 1777

Your Own Experience

Can you think of a situation when you took a particular course of action because you had a strong sense of what the right thing to do was?

Can you think of a time when ‘feeling guilty’ led you to doing the right thing?

Do you sense that God is always watching you and wanting to guide you?

Does that seem like a good thing?

Justin Martyr (circa 155AD)

“And on the day called Sunday all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the Apostles [the Gospels] or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits.

“Then when the reader has finished, the Leader [of the community] in a discourse instructs and exhorts them to the imitation of these good things. Then we all stand up together and offer prayers.

“Then there is brought to the Leader of the Community bread and a cup of water and a cup of wine mixed with water ...”

You have had the experience of coming to the Sunday Mass since you were very young. Perhaps you have moments when you are uncertain about its importance, but some part of you very much wants to be there. Most of your friends have stopped coming to Mass. Maybe they even laugh at the idea of it. How can your conscience - and your reason (intelligence) - help you find a way forward?

The Importance of Wisdom

“It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest. He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him.” [ Proverbs 2:6-8 ]

Next: The Bible

Previous: The Creed

 <<< Saint Joseph's Parish, Cardiff <<<