PRIEST'S MIND, Book One: Moral Law

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𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘𝖙'𝖘 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖉

Book One

☩  Moral Law  ☩ 

A Thesis on Moral and Immoral Actions

 

 

Authored by Fr. Witmar Barclay

 

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I. AUTHOR'S NOTE

 

Let it be known that the following thesis is a subordinate part of a collection of theses entitled Priest's Mind. The ideas, concepts, and terminology presented in this thesis are based solely on the author's perception and are not intended to contradict the Holy Scripture of the Church of the Canon. Rather, they are meant to serve as a resource for discussions and studies, where applicable.

 

II. INTRODUCTION

 

Only a man possesses a concept of morality among all the creatures that inhabit the globe. It is widely recognized that human actions can be classified as good or bad, or as good or evil, morally positive or morally negative. This capacity for moral reasoning comes not only from intellect but also from a profound sense of self-awareness and accountability that animals lack. Unlike man, animals operate solely on instinct, guided by innate behaviors ingrained in their nature, or by learned behaviors instilled through conditioning or training. A dog might fetch a stick or obey a command, but its actions are devoid of moral significance; they are neither virtuous nor immoral because the animal lacks the sense to reflect on right and wrong.

 

Morality is much more than a set of instincts—it's a product of our capacity to reason, empathize, and reflect on the consequences of our choices. This is what makes us human. We don’t just survive; we question, evaluate, and aim to live in a way that aligns with our principles and values. Yet, this profound ability also brings with it a heavy question: If humans alone bear the burden of morality, how can one reliably distinguish between what is morally good and morally bad? Are such judgments universal, or are they shaped by the circumstances of our lives, our upbringing, and the beliefs we hold?

 

III. MAN'S MORAL

 

 

The distinction is made according to a special moral law given to us, humans, by God. This moral law, this divine voice within the human soul, is something we feel deep in the core of our consciousness, and it is known as conscience. Conscience is the foundation of human morality. A person who has never listened to their conscience, who has silenced it and drowned out its voice with lies and the darkness of persistent sin, is often described as being unconscionable. The Word of God refers to such persistent sinners as those with a seared conscience; their spiritual state is perilous and can be disastrous for their souls. When a person listens to the voice of their conscience, they realize that it speaks to them, first and foremost, as a judge—strict, incorruptible, and impartial—evaluating all their actions and experiences. It is often the case that a certain action may seem beneficial to a person, or even earn the approval of others, yet deep within their soul, they hear the voice of conscience whispering: 

 

“This is not good, this is a sin…”

In close connection with this, conscience within the human soul also acts as a legislator. All the moral demands that the human soul faces in every conscious action are precisely the norms, requirements, and directives of the conscience itself. Its voice teaches us how we should and should not behave. Furthermore, conscience also acts as a rewarder within us. This occurs when, after doing good, we feel peace and tranquility in our soul; and conversely, when we sin, we experience the reproaches of our conscience. These reproaches can sometimes transform into terrible mental torment and suffering, leading a person to despair or a loss of inner peace, unless they restore peace to their conscience through deep and sincere repentance.

Adhering to the morality of true values and making exclusively moral decisions is an inherently difficult task, but it is the only righteous path in the eyes of God and under His Light. To better understand the weight of these words, we should recall a passage from the Gospel scroll which states: "But the kingdom of Joren, his Edel, remained the domain of pagans and corrupters, who practiced such immoralities upon each other that they grew more numerous each day" (Gospel 5:7). This passage serves as a vivid reminder of the importance of upholding moral thoughts and deeds as advocated by God, for otherwise, the immoral pagans and corrupters shall continue to grow in number each day.

It is understood that a person is morally responsible only for those actions that they perform, first, consciously, and second, with the freedom to choose those actions. Only then can moral responsibility be attributed to an action, and only then can it be judged as a transgression, praise, or condemnation. In contrast, individuals who are unaware of the nature of their actions—such as infants, those deprived of reason, or those who are forced to act against their will—are considered unaccountable and not responsible for those actions.

Reading the writings of the late Fr. Ailred Barclay, we learn that during various persecutions of our faithful people in the past, pagan torturers would place incense on the palms of the martyrs, holding them over the fire of their altar. The torturers relied on the expectation that the martyr would not withstand the heat, that they would instinctively move their fingers or withdraw their hand, causing the incense to fall into the fire. While many confessors of the faith were spiritually strong enough to endure and would rather burn their fingers than drop the incense, even if they did drop it—who could claim that they were offering a sacrifice to an idol?

Certainly, anyone who witnessed such an event could not be a more reliable judge than God Himself, the all-seeing One who can look into the heart and discern the true nature of a dilemma or action. While we, as mere people in this earthly world, can only judge a person's morality based on their actions, God judges based on the heart and soul of that person.
 

IV. CONCLUSION

 

Undoubtedly, the moral law must be recognized as innate to humanity, built into the very nature of man. This is evident from the undeniable universality of the idea of morality across humanity. However, while the need for morality can be seen as innate—a kind of moral instinct—clear and defined moral concepts and ideas are not. These develop in a person through upbringing, the influence of previous generations, and most importantly, through religious feeling. This is why the moral standards of those who have not been exposed to true spiritual teachings, such as certain pagans, are often lower, coarser, and more primitive. In contrast, we, as believers in the True God, who has placed the moral law within our souls, are guided by a higher moral standard. Through this divine law, God governs every aspect of our lives and actions.

 

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[Apricette 717]

2007 | The Sin of Pride
✦• ──────── •✦• ──────── •✦

A languid sigh, hushed unto sleep-addled lips, as the kestrel brought of the penned parchment, and it's thesis, unto the Lady-Regent's effects.

" How many of our kin; of your sons, and daughters, dear Exalted Father, lay so blind to our true faith; tainted in such blind, pride, avarice and hate. "

The ordained vicaress, and holy dame, would bid a sharp breath, hinged, unto her lips, as she held her Lorraine, to her heart's every small beat.

 

" Forgive them Father. For they know naught their sin. "

 

[Ramon 5186]

"A very great thesis, Witmar, as usual. You seem to be on some kind of streak."

Bishop Godfrey encouraged his former student, now an ordained priest, after reading what was his third thesis in little more than about a year.