Some Plead Ignorance, Others Breed Ignorance

When questioned by his Sunday school teacher as to who defeated the Philistines, the lad's disinterested response was, "i dunno. I don't follow the minor leagues."

Ignorance comes in two models: culpable and incupable. The former implies malice in refusing to learn what God wants us to know. The latter is not malicious. Peter - echoing Jesus' words, "They know not what they do" - excused the Jews for disowning Christ: "You acted in ignorance, as did your leaders" (Acts 3:17). Conscience can thus be either well-formed or malformed (ignorant), sometimes accusing, sometimes excusing (see Romans 2:15).

God's wrath falls on any who refuse to properly form their conscience, who "by their wickedness suppress the truth" (Rom 1:18 RSV). "Although they know God, they neither glorify him nor thank him...their thinking is futile...and their hearts are darkened" (1:21). But God's loving mercy is bestowed on sincere truth-seekers like Paul: "I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance" (1 Tm 1:13).

We all suffer from spiritual ignorance in many ways. There is much more we need to learn about God's love for us in Christ. Let us ask for grace "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" and be filled with "the fullness of God" (Eph 3:18-19).

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net