Evening star., 1951-11-18

and immortal nature of man.
soul, its freedom, its response
bility, and the duty of renderin,
to God reverence, obedience. an,
all that is embraced under tn
name of religion.
From mans position as God
rational. free and responsible
creature, destined for eternal life
spring the unique dignity of tn,
human individual and his essen
tlal equality with his fellow men
Out Of the inherent demands O
human nature arises the famil,
as the fundamental unit of hu
man society. based on a perman
ent and exclusive union of MAJ
ana woman in marriage. From
the essential character of mar
rage come not only the right O.
parents to beget children, but al.
so their primary right and dut,
to rear and educate them prop.
erly.
Since neither the individual mol
the family is completely indepen.
dent and self-sustained, ther,
arises the necessity of organized
civil society, and, in turn. thu
mutual responsibilities of the in.
dlvidual and family on the one
side and Of the civil government,
on the other.
Mans social life becomes in.
tolerable If not impossible unles,
Justice and benevolence govern
the operations of the state ano
relationships between individual.
ana groups. Without temperance
man can neither live in accord
ance with his human dignity no,
Iulnll his obligations to his fellow
men. Without fortitude, he can
not bear the trials of life or over
come the difficulties with which he
S surrounded.
furthermore, 1t is clear that the
dignity of the individual
and the needs of the family and
u society demand a code of sexual
morality within the grasp of every
nature mind.
1hese are some of the basic
elements of natural law, a law
BASED on human nature; a law
which can be discovered by hu-
nan intelligence and which gov
rms mans relationship with God.
With himself, and with the other
reatures of God. The principles
II the natural law, absolute. stable
ma Interchangeable. are applicable
o all the changing conditions and
circumstances in which man con-
tantly finds himself.
NATURAL LAW AND
REVELATION.
Ihese religious and mora,
ruthS Of the natural order can
'e known by human reason: but
1oo' IN his goodness, through Di-
Inc Revelation has helped man
o know better and to preserve
ne natural law. In the Old Testa-
nent this revelation was given
o Gods chosen people. Com
'ieted and perfected in the New
has been communicated to
mankind by Jesus Christ and His
postles and it has been entrusted
o the Church which Christ Him
eli established to teach all men
While the natural law. taught
nd interpreted by the Church,
ives US a guide in many areas
i human life, the perfection of
human nature is revealed to LIS
n Christ Himself, God-become-
dan. the Word-made-Flesh. full
u grace and truth" dwelling
Imong us to be our Way, our
Truth and our Life. Prayer and
he Sacrament are the channels
through which the grace of Christ
ONES to elevate human nature
Intil it becomes like unto Him
7ho is true God and true man. In
he supernatural order of grace
christ. the Goldman, is the
Measure of man.
Divine Revelation then not only
Includes the natural law, it COM
dement's it, and points the way to
ne supernatural order of grace.
he natural moral law, however.
emains the foundation of the
upernatural order as it is the
oundation of all mans relations
0 God, to himself, and to his fell
)W men. Upon that law, clarified
Y Divine Revelation. man.
trengthened by grace. must build
is life. He need never fear that
viii give way under the weight
I the trials and tests which life
imposes; for he has the inspired
lords OF the Psalmist to assure
i'm: THE man whose heart is
ct on the law Of the Lord stands
Lrm."
When the human heart is rov-