Laws and regulations are a necessary component of the social contract that enables people to live together in peace and harmony. But sometimes, there are laws that contradict and there are regulations that contravene other rules. Then there are principles, morals and values which are quite different from laws. No everything legal is always moral. What is moral can sometimes be illegal. Thus, man is often trapped in a morass of legalities or or caught in a moral quicksand.
I believe in the sanctity of human life. Life is a precious gift that has been given to us undeserved. Because life was given to us, it can be taken back only by the giver, not by the recipient. To save and preserve life trumps all other reasons for action, be these moral or legal considerations.
Because others are also gifted with this sacred gift of life, the appropriate respect and dignity are due them. I should honor and preserve this sacred gift in others, sometimes to the point of even being willing to put my own at risk. I should also respect and honor life as it takes on different living forms in nature, here on earth.
These basic principles are self-evident and can be found in all the religions and philosophies of men. But things get complicated when men get into the hustle and bustle of daily living. Our hands would want to do anything and everything that they can do. Our heads would want to try anything they can imagine. Our hearts long for things our own minds cannot comprehend. And somehow, we all long to live forever.
In the midst of all the darkness and confusion, a light shines to show us the way. Something greater than the temple is here. The source of this sacred gift of life came to join us in our humanity and teach us that mercy trumps sacrifice anytime, that life is stronger than death, that light will overcome the darkness. For some, this is hard saying. But it is no harder than what scientists believe such as parallel universes, Higgs bosons, dark matter and dark energy or even the Big Bang. But which is easier to say: “Love one another.” or “Let there be light.”?
“I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:1-8