We Are All Defined Man

The following is the Homily that was written and given by Father Kenneth Mayne on July 5, 2014 at all the masses at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Abbeville, LA.

Imagine for a minute that we work for SETI. That is the organization that uses computers to listen for extra-terrestrial life from deep space. Suddenly we get a call from out of space. It is an e-mail from someone. They tells us that they have been listening to our signal for some time. Long enough to learn our language. But, they would like to know what we are like. Imagine that there can be no pictures with this technology.
We think for a while. How are we going to describe ourselves?
We write back that we are called “man.” How do we define man? We could say that we have legs and arms, a head holding a brain, we have hair, we eat food, sleep, we are born and will die. We will get married and have babies so we can continue to live as a species called “man.”
Hold on. That describes many animals on the planet so that cannot be our definition. We try again, again, and again. Finally, we consult St. Thomas Aquinas who wrote in his Compendium of Theology back in the 13th century.
“God is his own essence. The essence of anything is that which its definition signifies. This is identical with the thing of which it is the definition, unless per accidents something is added to the thing defined over and above its definition. Thus whiteness is added to man, over and above the fact that he is a rational and mortal animal. Hence rational and mortal animal is the same as man; but whiteness, so far as it is white, is not the same as man.”
Let me unpack what St. Thomas has said because it is important. The essence of anything has a definition that describes exactly what a thing is. Thus, DOG is defined as a highly variable domestic mammal closely related to the gray wolf. That is the essence of DOG.
Therefore, the color, the size, the shape, the sex of the dog would not be part of its definition or essence. This would be something “added” to its definition but not part of the definition.
You see, these are accidents or qualities if you wish that are added to DOG over and above its definition. Therefore, a highly variable domestic mammal closely related to the gray wolf is the same as DOG but whiteness, blackness, brownness or whatever color is not the same as dog.
St. Thomas is saying the same thing when he states, Thus whiteness is added to man, over and above the fact that he is a rational and mortal animal. Hence rational and mortal animal is the same as man; but whiteness, so far as it is white, is not the same as man.
Now, you understand that color has nothing to do with the definition of MAN or DOG for that matter. Color and other accidents are qualities added after the definition.
Now, we can write back to our extra-terrestrial creature an e-mail that man is a rational and mortal animal. That is an animal that can think which must die eventually. They write back “Now we understand. We are very similar to you.”
This kind of thinking, except the part about SETI, that must have been in the mind of Thomas Jefferson and the founders of our nation when the Declaration of Independence was written and began with the words:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
So what am I saying? Why am I reading this to you? Because St. Theresa parish is composed of several different types of human beings with different nations of origin, different skin colors, different cultures and customs. But, we must never conclude that because of these differences that an individual person belonging to one of these various groups who does not share our qualities, does not deserve respect and love we would give to our own family members for example. No, we must recognize our common essence. That our definition, a rational and mortal animal, signifies who we are. Not, our color, nationality, etc.
It is clear that we are all equal in that we have the same definition, the same essence. We are different in that we have gifts and talents in different degrees. But, we are man, a rational and mortal animal. We are what the extra-terrestrial creature would simply conclude if he could see us. He would notice that we were different from all the other mortal animals on earth and much more noble. Perhaps he would notice that at times we do not act rationally.
Lately we have had a tragedy in our community. Deputy Allen Bares Jr. was allegedly murdered by two individuals. This has caused great sadness to his family, his friends, and the entire community of Abbeville. As members of St. Theresa parish and members of the Body of Christ we continue to pray for his family as they grieve their loss. So many people have been hurt by this one irrational act that it would be impossible to count the number.
Nerves are raw and emotions are high. Never the less, we must try as Catholic Christians to proclaim that love conquers evil. That forgiveness and mercy still rules at St. Theresa. That is why I was saddened to hear from a parishioner that some individuals in this church were overheard speaking with derogatory words (specifically the “N” word) describing the two suspects belonging to a particular race and culture. This is an unrighteous and sinful and hurtful act. That is between them and God. But, we must never use name calling and blanket statements to describe murderers. The murderer is the sole actor in this murderous act. He is solely responsible for this sin against humanity and, if he remains unrepentant, will suffer the consequences in this life or the next,
But, we can never, never blame a whole group of people for the act of an individual.
For many years now, St. Theresa parishioners have prayed together, worked together, cried together, and laughed together. We are good people and, like a city on the hill, a bright light for everyone to see how to get along together. We are Catholic Americans and proud of it. We must be good when others are evil. We must be forgiving when others seek revenge. We must pray and do good to our enemies.
That does not mean that we are “doormats”. We will not let people walk over us. We will still hold the lawbreaker accountable for his crimes. But, at the same time we will love him as Jesus taught us. To pray that he repents, seeks reconciliation, and is saved in the end. There is no other way but Christ. And, We must do something good to help our policemen and other first responders.
I will present a idea, to the Parish Council, about establishing a Blue Mass. A Blue Mass is celebrated for police and law enforcement individuals which includes firemen and other first responders as well. These are the men and women who risk their lives to protect us. And, they deserve our prayers, our help, and our gratitude especially now. We will also begin to pray our “family prayer” again that God may help us to end this senseless violence in our community.
But, it can get better but it starts with us good people. We must be exemplary citizens who love and respect one another especially in church. We are a “little America” because we come from so many different cultures and customs, law abiding citizens who want the best world for our children and future generations. Our example may inspire others to live their Christian faith, to live for the truth. That good conquers evil. That our differences do not make us weaker but stronger. We share the same essence. The same nature. And, we are one in Christ. Especially when we receive Holy Communion together, as we will in a moment, at this Holy Mass.
Amen.