In the Voice of Moreau: An honest appraisal of the human condition reveals that addiction is the primary sickness of our souls. Literally meaning, “to give assent to,” we become slaves to other people, emotions, ideas, substances, ideologies and the like. We organize our lives around these things, often subtly, and start to worship these false idols with our minds, our hearts and even our bodies. Blinded by pride and the perceived need for control and power, we dismiss the Cross as an archaic and masochistic symbol of a religious tradition that is no longer relevant. All the while, in our unhappiness, we search frantically for a solution to our misery and wretchedness. It is here that we finally realize that the Cross is our one and only hope. In a non-clinging, anti-addiction posture, the Cross transforms our souls and paradoxically enables us to experience a life of pure addiction to God. Open, trusting, exposed, vulnerable, the Cross offers us a taste of authentic humanity – we become children again of the living God, our father on whom we depend for dignity and life. The Lord speaks to us from this throne: Do not be afraid! I am with you! It is finished! When will we exit the cycle of addiction? When will we open our hearts to the living God? When will we give assent to our heavenly father? Let us therefore proclaim Christ crucified to a world that is hurting and desperately seeking after the medicine that leads to life. Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Holy Cross Educator’s Reply: The verb to be addicted is a pejorative and should ring a fearful pause in anyone before acting upon a desire. For committed Christians, however, living purely and consistently enmeshed in the divine must be the modus operandi for all activities. This is especially so for CSC educators who are to proclaim Christ crucified to their students. These persons need to develop the habit, the disposition for and attitude of always seeking to increase their knowledge. The second of Moreau’s specific virtues for being called to teach in Holy Cross schools, knowledge—to be learned—obviously is essential if the mind is to be informed and of greater importance if the heart is to be formed. CSC educators must zealously cultivate the desire for self-improvement, developing and utilizing effective methods of instruction along with clearly presenting their lessons. These traits must imbue all classroom interaction. Certainly, they must be “convictions of the heart translated into activity”. Authentic classroom instruction is the result of embracing the courage to journey toward authentic personhood: “being open, trusting, exposed and vulnerable” proclaiming Christ crucified. Ave Crux Spes Unica.
Voice of Moreau 