All too often in our contemporary world we are seemingly made to face choice after choice between “either
this or that” In other words, we are painted into a corner where we are only able to make a single binary
choice, pick this one thing or the other. Sadly, zealots on both sides of the ideological spectrum are often the
biggest proponents of this “either – or” dualism.
This does not mean however that there are no moral absolutes. Indeed there are. For instance, murder is
always wrong, adultery is always wrong, willingly holding hatred in our heart against another is always
wrong. In the end there is either Heaven of Hell. But to the “either-or” people, just about everything is black
and white to them. Whatever they agree with is good whatever they don’t agree with is bad. They create
moral absolutes out of everything and expect everyone to march to their tune. On any number of issues we
see this happening. Take for instance one example, the Second Amendment. There are some on one end
that say there should be no restrictions and anyone can have any gun they want. On the other extreme end
there are those who say there shouldn’t even be a Second Amendment or that it should be restricted to a
degree where practically it ceases to exist. Both “preach” their side often wrapped in emotive, moralistic and
manipulative language so that we are led down a path that seems to indicate not that there are two choices,
but really one choice, theirs which is good, and the other, which is not just bad, but evil. I guess we are all
prone to this from time to time and we always need to be on guard against it.
Aside from the moral absolutes that come from Divine or Natural law, reality can be much more complicated.
Let’s look again at the Second Amendment example. We can and should have an open honest conversation
about what kind of gun regulations might work best to ensure both the right to bear arms as well as to keep
firearms out of the hands of criminals. It can even be a passionate conversation, but the “guns for everyone”/“guns for no one” black/white dichotomy will never, ever be helpful. But this has even more importance in regard to our faith.
I am glad I am a Christian. Because this means I can accept paradox, I can accept “both/and”. My Catholic
Christian faith believes that Jesus is both God and Man. The Holy Eucharist looks, feels, and tastes like bread
and wine; but in reality it is the Body, Blood, Soul, and divinity of Christ. There is one God but with three Persons. And many more. The famous Catholic author, G.K. Chesterton wrote that paradox is at the heart of
Christianity, for it is precisely the paradoxical shape of its doctrines that allows it to offer answers to deep
moral and philosophical problems.
Sometimes things are “either/or” sometimes they are “both/and” just like our Faith. Let’s do two things.
First, we need to resist attempts of others to force us into “either/or” decisions which are not. Secondly, we
need do our best in our own lives to distinguish the difference between the two. Doing so will help us appreciate the challenging but beautiful complexity that the Lord has woven into creation and afford us the ability
to see and enjoy the wonderful richness God has given us; which is much better than the boring and often
bitter and angry either/or existence.
God bless you,
Father Joseph Byerley
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