From different angles

We have to see to it that considering a particular issue, opinion or position by some people, we should look first into the different angles from which these things spring, and listen to all sides.

That way, we can be more assured of getting a better and fairer picture of things. We should be wary of making judgments, no matter how tentative, before we consider those angles.

We must know where those issues and opinions come from; consider the context and perspectives within which people’s views and position are made.

It’s undeniable that a convergence of circumstances can produce issues, and the way people are will determine the kind of views and opinions they have. We always have our preferences and biases, and always subjected to many conditionings in our life.

We have different temperaments and backgrounds—cultural, historical, social, professional, etc.—and these are factors that get into the making of our views and opinions.  To consider the different angles and have a more or less stable standard for judging issues and opinions, we must realize that it is our union with God that constitutes our fundamental guide.

Since this union is tenuous, considering our human condition, we should realize that our judgments can only be tentative. Countering that condition, we need to pray, get in touch with God, and try to be knowledgeable about His teachings, and spiritually united with Him through the sacraments, so we can approximate the way God would consider those issues and opinions.

We may need to consult another person we trust and think has the competence to guide us in a particular issue. This is part of prudence to mark our judgments.

Let’s remember that only when we are with God — when we are spiritual and supernatural in our outlook — can we judge things properly.

St. Paul said something relevant to this: “The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor 2,15-16)

Having the “mind of Christ” is certainly possible if we also do our part, meaning, we should study His life and teachings for, after all, He is the “way, the truth and the life” for us.

We should not make judgments of such absoluteness and definitiveness, which cannot stand any more modification and enrichment, revision or even rejection. These can only bring us unnecessary troubles.

There must be openness in our judgments, which would help if we practice restraint and moderation, or a certain detachment from our personal views.

These days when we are bombarded with many issues and possibilities of differences and conflicts with others, we must be aware of the need for restraint and moderation.

Let’s remember that in our discourse, we are dealing with ideas and arguments, with persons who must be understood and loved no matter how wrong they may be. The value and virtue that has priority is charity, and not on who is right or wrong.

Let’s do everything to consider different angles before making pronouncements and judgments over an issue or an opinion.