Sharpening our moral conscience

Our moral conscience informs us what is morally right and what is morally wrong. Conscience is called the voice of God from within.

What we judge as morally good and morally evil is based on our knowledge of God’s moral laws. We grow up as Catholic Christians and imbibe these moral teachings in the family, school, community worship, religious ‎associations and through guidance by our moral leaders.

In these pre-election times our moral conscience is being tested. The life and plans of the presidentiables and other candidates for public office are presented to us through the tri-media of TV, radio and press, social media and billboards, tarpaulins and flyers, etc.

Are we using moral principles as taught by the Church in judging these candidates? Or, we vote for them because they come from our place, they are our relatives, friends, benefactors and acquaintances? ‎Or, we believe them because they are rich, famous in sports, entertainment, military, police work, peace and order action, cause-oriented militancy, evangelism, legal concerns, education, etc?

Or, we follow them because they have a clear vision for our country based on moral values with a comprehensive and doable plan to eradicate social injustice and inequality which deepens the poverty and misery of the poor and the marginalized?

These questions are meant to sharpen our moral conscience lest it ‎turns callused and numbed. When this happens, the inner voice of God cannot be heard anymore. Sharpening our conscience must include study of and exposure to the moral teachings of the Church. It also must include prayer, meditation and reception of the sacraments of confession and the Eucharist.