David Ziegler
Conscience: Power and a Process
March 1, 2007
The Catechism states that conscience is a judgment of reason wherby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he isgoing to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed. Conscience is not a tiny voice in our heads telling us what is right and wrong according to the Catechism. Fr. Knapp says, "Conscience is both a Power and a Process." It is a power because it is human's most sacred center, where he or she are purely himself or herself. The conscience is where God dwells in us. Conscience is a Power... of Reason. The process of conscience is the act of making the choice itself. There is a process in forming our conscience. We do this by pusuing accurate knowledge in: Divine Revelation, scripture and tradition, anf the magisterium. Most importantly we must remember that conscience is NOT a FEELING.

LISTEN

Harry is a junior in high school and is struggling with the decision on whether he should attend a party or not. He decides to use the LISTEN method in making his moral decision. First, he must Look for the facts. The facts are that he knows this persons parents are out of town and there will be alcohol present. talk of the party has spread like wildfire and anybody who is concerned with their social status will be there. Harry knows if he doesn't go then people will think he is a loser, but if he does go he jeopardizes his whole future. If he gets caught with alcohol his sports career will suffer drastically.

Harry then has to Imagine the possibilities. Harry sees that the negatives are outweighing the positives. His sports are very important to him. If he goes he will be considered part of the popular group. Of cource the girl that he likes is going so he can hang out with her. Plus Harry can get drunk and have a good time, but all this can happen as long as they don't get caught. The risk of getting caught is very high. The long term concequences are scary. The short term happiness isn't worth it.

Now that Harry has seen the possibilities, he needs to Seek insight beyond his own. There is no possible way he can know everything on his own. he's scared to ask others what he should do because he thinks it makes him look week. talking with friends and older siblings are great ways to better understand the situation.

Harry then needs to Turn inward. This step involves reflection. We need to look inside ourselves in order to make moral decisions. The Catechism says one requires "interiority" in moral decision making. Harry can sit quietly in his room and think about all his obtions and let God in to turn him one way or the other. This brings us to the next step, Expect God's help. God is going to be there for us. Harry just needs to believe God is assisting him in his moral decision.

Finally, Harry must Name his decision. This means that he needs to own his decision. It puts closure to the process. After looking at all the possibilities and getting his brother's insight he decides it is not worth the risk to attend the party. Rumors had started that the cops had been warned of the party and it was probably going to get broken up. His brother told him a story of when he was a teenager in a similar position and he got caught by his mom and was grounded. Harry realized that there would be other parties to attend to help his social status, but this one was too much of a risk.

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