WE MAY FEIGN deafness. We may, to our own destruction, disobey. The wondrous call of conscience makes judgement on us all. God's mysterious gift, nearer than any other form of knowing, points out here and now the health giving good to choose and the death dealing evil to avoid.
It is, St Thomas Aquinas tells us, the shining light upon us of God's face guiding to a life in dignity and freedom. We choose the truth; we reject the lie. Conscience is at the secret core and sanctuary of our being, where we are alone with God. Pretence and seeming find no place. We come to a deep heart, and our truest self is revealed. The gentle voice leads to happiness and to peace.
Cardinal Newman awakens us: "Conscience is a messenger from Him who in nature and in grace speaks to us from behind a veil and teaches us and rules us by His representatives. Conscience is the first Vicar of Christ .
We come to realise that conscience warns us as a sincere friend long before it may have to condemn us as a stern judge. St Bernard of Clairvaux tells us that a good conscience is better than a gold mine, and that no treasure can bring us such joy as when we are approved by the voice within.
We have seen the tragic harvest of many a conscience misguided and betrayed. The Holocaust will forever cast shameful shadows over our century. The records of brutality and genocide in Latin America and in Europe must dizzy and appal.
In forming conscience, the living Word of God will shape our values. We assimilate the Scriptures in faith and prayer, and try to live in Saving Truth. The Holy Spirit gives to us much needed light. What Paul wrote to Timothy is forever true; charity proceeds "from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith." The more conscience prevails, the more are we saved from blind folly and from all that could destroy.
Cardinal Newman leads with kindly light. "I feel myself in His presence. He says to me Do this! Do not do that!. . . When I obey I feel a satisfaction; when I disobey, a soreness; just like what I feel in pleasing or offending some reverend friend But writing on the joy which peace of heart can bring, Newman does not forget our weakness and our woe.
"The reflection of sky and mountain in the lake is a proof that sky and mountain are around it; but the twilight or the mist or the sudden storm hurries away the beautiful image which leaves behind no memorial of what it was Such can be the sad result of folly and of pride. The God of Truth will lighten our darkness even as the sun goes down. Come, o Holy Spirit!