St. Peter Canisius Apostolate

Over the past few days, In Conversation with God has focused quite a bit on the place of natural morality in living an authentic Christian life. This is one of the many times that Fr. Fernandez takes a theological tenet and shows us how it applies to everyday life.

In this case, the theological tenet is this: “grace presupposes nature.” Another way to state it is like this: “grace builds upon nature.” These are nice phrases, but Fr. Fernandez opened my eyes to the tenet’s true meaning: grace depends on nature.

In the case of natural morality, this means that grace needs the natural moral virtues. If we do not strive to be prudent, just, moderate, and courageous, the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love cannot be firmly planted in our hearts.

How can we allow our reason to be guided by faith in things we do not see if we don’t have the ability to make decisions based on the reality that is in front of us (prudence)?

How can we practice true fraternal charity if we can’t be a good companion, if we don’t possess the art of living with others, if we are unable to give another what is properly owed to him (justice)?

Or how can we act with a genuine hope of heaven if we lack the ability of accept loss and injury for the sake of truth and justice (courage); or if we are unable to protect ourselves from the self-destruction of pleasure seeking (moderation)? ¹

The answer to each of these questions is obvious: We can’t. Faith, hope, and love need the virtues of prudence, justice, courage, and moderation. The Word of God needs good soil in order to take root. Grace needs nature.