12. Christianity, The Modern-World, and Decision-Making

If I could but etch in stone one of the most prominent, yet unspoken,
mores of our age, this would be it.

I’m always on the lookout for new and provocative content to read.  I like to keep abreast of the vast number of moral and social issues that emerge in our world.  This incredibly interesting article that I stumbled upon recently had an interesting biological perspective on pregnancy, an interesting look into sociological factors contributing to society’s changing mores regarding pregnancy, and interesting and important moral components as well: all components integral to the functioning of our world at large as well as for my enjoyment of a piece.

The article talks about how women are attempting to “beat biology”—their biological clocks in regard to their fertility—by freezing their eggs so that they can become mothers later in life: an interesting concept for sure and one with many dimensions.  The first that springs to my mind is the moral dimension and the practice’s obvious flaw: it is deeply offensive to and beneath human dignity.

The eggs will need to be thawed out, and the impregnation process will require in vitro fertilization, a practice the Church condemns.  The action is contrary to natural law, for it separates the gift of husband and wife, sex, from the natural fruit of the act, a child.  A child is created, yes, though not in an intimate exchange of total, self-giving love, but in an economic transaction.

It prompted thought about our world’s perception of pregnancy, motherhood, and family.  That women feel the need to advance their careers at the expense of a fulfilling family life because of a so-called “pressure” is shameful.  The feminism of yore and in our own day has degraded the mystical quality of femininity and swapped it out for a cheap view of woman as an organism that must choose between society and family—children or success in the workplace.  Oftentimes, however, the choice is framed so negatively against domestic life and motherhood that these incredibly fulfilling options are shunned outright, though perhaps chosen begrudgingly—as a mere after-thought—if they are ever chosen at all, that is.

Perhaps one of the greatest joys of this life.

It is indeed a testament to the branding power of this movement—as well as the incredible fumble by Catholic leadership for the last several decades—that this procedure is quickly gaining credibility.

I will not be discussing the moral, social, or political factors as they relate to this procedure; rather, I would like to make a simple connection between the growing legitimacy of this procedure and our everyday lives—what this procedure says about us as a society and as people, more simply.

Fact of the matter?  We are paralyzed by indecision.  Our modern world offers so many enticements and pleasures and distractions and whatnot that, in the pursuit of “keeping our options open,” we never actually make a single meaningful decision.  We are not decisive.  We are wishy-washy and weak.  Don’t get me wrong: I’m all for keeping my options open as much as the next guy.  What I am not for, however, is a society that so praises and enshrines and validates keeping our options open—of living in a potential state, rather than in a determined and convicted state—an actual state—that we never actually shape our lives and destinies.  We live in a dimly real present, saturated with visions of future pleasures and advancements and improvements.  We live passively, and, in waiting for, as the first article says, “Mr. Right” to come along, we lose our nerve, our grit, or whatever you want to call it, to actually do something meaningful.

I keep hearing that he may fit the bill, but I don't know to be honest.

We freeze our eggs, waiting for the “perfect moment” in which to take the plunge of motherhood, fatherhood, parenthood. We live in extended adolescences, never truly rising to the occasion of our destiny to be providers and nurturers—adults. We cohabitate, a fanciful euphemism for “extended dating,” never biting the bullet (so to speak) of finally admitting that this person is “the one.” We contracept away our most fruitful child-bearing years, in favor of frivolous, and, ultimately, unfulfilling sex. We abort away our futures willy-nilly because we cannot face the fact that our actions (sex) have consequences (babies and diapers and formula).

As Pope Francis said to a crowd of millions of young people while in Rio de Janeiro for the World Youth Day 2013: “I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of responsibility (emphasis mine).”

Now, what does authentic Catholic Christianity have to do with this shameful paralysis of our culture, of our world?  A paralysis so gripping it threatens to destroy everything it touches? It means living with conviction! With purpose, with drive, with that mystical something that changes potentiality to actuality, inaction to action, fear of acting and messing up to courage in the face of doubts about the outcome of our actions. In essence, indecision and the endless trope of “keeping our options open” and “waiting for something better to come along” are incompatible with an authentic Catholic life.

Look to the Apostles, the early Church Fathers, the martyrs, the saints, our recent popes: all are men and women of conviction, of resolve, of determination, of grit, of action!  They see the will of God, and they do it.  Sure they are afraid, or feel that they are unworthy, and yes, even they hesitated, but they ultimately acted, and when they acted, they acted decisively.  They saw the goal, and when they had brought themselves to act, it was with purpose, with a single-minded dogmatism that is one of the most glorious attributes of a true Catholic.  The ability to pursue any number of tasks, all for a single end—the further glorification of God Almighty—is a characteristic of the greatest men and women of the Church.

But no: our culture praises the floater, the one who can do all things at all times because he has never chosen anything to the exclusion of anything else.  He has never started to truly live!  We are creatures of potential.  We are always moving from one state to another.  We are either advancing or falling back, improving or devolving—this is our nature.  As such, choices must be made, otherwise, we do not truly live and reach our goal.  And what is our goal, ultimately?  To reach God!  To come to the Beatific Vision in fulfillment of all of our desires.  We are to be partakers in the divine nature, to return home to our Father and His Son, Christ Jesus.

Trust me; this picture doesn't do Heaven justice at all.

So get out there people! Live with fire! Run reckless through life and make decisions as if your eternal futures depended on it—because they do! Because as St. Augustine said “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved,” and as Christ says in Revelation 3:16, “So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

A wispy, weak, and undisciplined will is our worst enemy.

tl;dr Carpe Diem!

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