Oct 5 Mon
Is man’s work and activity always good?
Pope Leo XIV, commenting on documents of the Second Vatican Council, answers this question.
Created in the image and likeness of God, the human being is the agent of progress. With freedom and intelligence, he increases his knowledge, thereby advancing society as a whole. We can easily see this by considering the improvements in living conditions over successive generations.
Some thinkers have portrayed scientific and technical progress as something that weakens man’s relationship with God, to the point of making it seem superfluous, or even as antagonistic to the Christian faith. Such a prejudice is particularly prevalent in that part of Western culture which has lost its reference to Christian Revelation.
In post-Christian humanisms, the human being and God are mistakenly presented as rivals: to assert his knowledge, his freedom and his progress, man would have to emancipate himself from God. However, by denying the relationship with God, one also loses the possibility of affirming the transcendent value of the human person. This is the “tragedy of atheistic humanism.”
By their labor, Christians participate in the Creator’s work and contribute to the accomplishment in history of the divine plan. Thus, far from thinking that man’s works are in opposition to God’s power, Christians are convinced that the triumphs of the human race are a sign of God’s grace. In essence, God has placed in the hands of men and women a creation that is still on a journey, in the process of growth – so that they may bring it to fulfillment through their wise activity.
Humanity – and its progress – is not absorbed or nullified by the encounter with God, but rather taken up to be, in Christ, free and active. Only in Him does man find full truth and freedom.
Hence, to encounter God, the human being must not abandon his earthly occupations, but carry them out, sanctifying them. This way, man can live his vocation fully. Christians, like everyone else, must be involved in building the city of man, striving towards the encounter with God, and reminding all of their ultimate purpose.
Yet earthly progress must be distinguished from the development of the Kingdom of Christ; however, insofar as the former contributes to the better ordering of human society, it becomes of vital concern to the Kingdom of God.
Still, to become authentic human progress – that is, progress for the whole person and for all people – technical and scientific progress must be inspired and guided by charity. Only in this way can it always be placed in the service of human dignity and promote the living conditions of all, especially the most disadvantaged.
Let us share the bread of knowledge and know-how, so that every person and every people may develop their potential, and together, with God’s help, we may build a better future.