The contingent and the necessary

Fr. Roy Cimagala

IN any situation or condition we may find ourselves in, we should not forget about what is necessary and what is simply contingent, what is of absolute value and what simply has a relative one. We need to have a clear idea of the distinction between what has to be held permanently by us and what can change, and in fact, should change. We need to have the proper priorities.

We have to avoid just drifting around, pushed and pulled by the different worldly forces and impulses whose sources, motives and purposes we are not quite sure. In this modern age, when all kinds of developments are taking place, we cannot afford to be naïve as to simply follow our instincts alone, or the different opinions and trends around, or even our most sophisticated reasoning but still unguided by faith.

We need to be clear about the crucial and indispensable role of our faith. Being a sharing of what God knows about himself and everything else and considering that God, as creator of all things, is the author of all truth and reality, faith gives us the most complete picture of reality.

At the moment, we need a miracle for this fundamental truth to sink in the minds and hearts of people. No wonder, Christ reproached even those who tried to follow him. “I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk 18,8)

It’s our faith that tells us that only one thing is necessary in our life, and that is, to give glory to God. Everything else in our life, whether good or bad according to human standards, only has contingent, relative, subsidiary and instrumental value.

If we abide by our Christian faith, there’s always a way to relate everything to God, be it a success or failure, a joy or sadness, pain and sorrow.

That only thing is necessary Christ himself said so in that episode of his visit to the sisters, Martha and Mary. (cfr Lk 10,48-52) While Martha was busy doing all sorts of things to serve God, Christ gave Mary more credit and she was simply seated at his foot, praying.

St. Paul reinforces this truth when he said: “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10,31) At the end of the day, what would be the purpose of all our life and everything in it other than God himself?

Thus, the Catechism says: “Catechesis on creation is of major importance. It concerns the very foundations of human and Christian life: for it makes explicit the response of the Christian faith to the basic question that men of all times have asked themselves: ‘Where do we come from?’ ‘Where are we going?’ ‘What is our origin?’ ‘What is our end?’ ‘Where does everything that exists come from and where is it going?’” (CCC 282)

We have to overcome the myth that there are things in our life that have nothing to do with our faith and with our duty to relate ourselves and all events in our life to God, or with our duty to use them to give glory to God. God and giving him glory is the all-inclusive purpose of everything that happens in our life, good or bad.

Christ has shown us how to deal with all situations in life. The Son of God who became man to identify himself with each one of us has made himself “the way, the truth and the life” for us. And this he did by bearing all our sins by allowing himself to be crucified to death and then resurrecting on the third day.

We need to understand that the passion, death and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of his redemptive work on our behalf, and the pattern and the proper way to deal with whatever situation and condition we would be in.

Any attempt to deviate from this formula would be wrong. That’s why Christ said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mt 16,24) Strange as it may sound, this is the necessary thing we have to keep in mind. It is what would relate everything to God. It is what would give glory to him.

We should not belittle the prayer that expresses this truth of our faith: “Father, may everything we do begin with your inspiration and continue with your saving help. Let our works always find its origin in you and through you reach completion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

E-mail: roycimagala@gmail.com