Today I would like to reflect on our consciences. Most people who are from roughly the same era as I, have powerful images from Walt Disney that are not particularly helpful. We may recall that in the film “Pinocchio,” a benevolent figure gives Jiminy Cricket to be the “conscience” of Pinocchio. Jiminy Cricket then is set in the role of rule enforcer and guide to keep Pinocchio out of trouble. The story unfolds with Jiminy Cricket trying to get Pinocchio to do the right thing. Pinocchio knows right from wrong but is weak in character and often chooses to do the wrong or bad thing. Jiminy Cricket tries to stop him from doing wrong or at least to make amends. This image is flawed when compared to the reality of our consciences. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that the conscience is, “… (man’s) most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (CCC 1776). This seems to be a more fitting definition of the conscience. Our consciences are not foreign entities that seek to exert an influence over us. Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio seem to know right from wrong, but they apparently need the virtue of temperance. The Catechism reminds us that we did not establish the Law, but rather we discover it and spend a lifetime trying to conform ourselves to it and by extension to God. We are reminded that we will be tempted, by sin, to prefer our own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings (i.e. the teachings of the Church). What does this mean? It means that we are free, but our consciences should be formed by the authoritative teachings of the Church. Then, with well-formed consciences we apply the moral principles to concrete situations. We are not asked to turn off our brains and just look up an answer to a moral dilemma; rather, we are encouraged to be good and moral decision makers. — Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected]. For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org