By ERIC GIRTEN
THE CATHOLIC KITCHEN
Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
On July 25, we will mark the 55th anniversary of “Humanae Vitae,” an encyclical from Pope Paul VI on the regulation of human births (1968). In it, he addresses topics like human sexuality; the nature of marriage; conjugal morality; responsible parenthood; the need for conformity and duty to God’s creative will; the implications of artificial contraception and sterilization; and much more. It reiterates the Church’s understanding of the necessity of openness to life.
This understanding is as fundamental now as ever in our continued efforts to relay the Good News of Jesus Christ. The cultural, moral and political issues we face today are nothing new. They have been around in some form or fashion for centuries. With that, I would encourage you to look over “Humanae Vitae” and take a look at Chapter 3 of the Didache.
As a reminder, we are reviewing one chapter of the Didache per month in this column. The Didache is a Christian document written between 70-100 A.D. informing Christians of that time on how to live their new Christian faith.
Chapter 3. Other Sins Forbidden
My child, flee from every evil thing, and from every likeness of it. Be not prone to anger, for anger leads the way to murder; neither jealous, nor quarrelsome, nor of hot temper; for out of all these murders are engendered. My child, be not a lustful one; for lust leads the way to fornication; neither a filthy talker, nor of lofty eye; for out of all these adulteries are engendered. My child, be not an observer of omens, since it leads the way to idolatry; neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a purifier, nor be willing to look at these things; for out of all these idolatry is engendered. My child, be not a liar, since a lie leads the way to theft; neither money-loving, nor vainglorious, for out of all these thefts are engendered. My child, be not a murmurer, since it leads the way to blasphemy; neither self-willed nor evil-minded, for out of all these blasphemies are engendered. But be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) Be long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and gentle and good and always trembling at the words which you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself (Luke 18:14), nor give over-confidence to your soul. Your soul shall not be joined with lofty ones, but with just and lowly ones shall it have its intercourse. The workings that befall you receive as good, knowing that apart from God nothing comes to pass.