Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
(II Samuel 7:18-19; 24-29; Mark 4:21-25)
Ethicist Michael Sandel a number of years ago published a
book with the curious title The Case
against Perfection. By “perfection” Mr.
Sandel does not mean the human attempt to be virtuous. Rather, he has in mind the idolatrous quest
by parents to manipulate their child’s genetic makeup so that he or she would have
apparently perfect attributes. That is,
Sandel argues against the ever increasing possibility that parents may have
their child’s genes bioengineered so that he or she is born with “perfect”
intelligence, beauty, emotions, and the like.
Sandel uses the idea of theologian William F. May to make
his case. He says that parenting must retain
an “openness to the unbidden.” This
means that parents must not try to control everything about their
offspring. They are wise to leave
genetic makeup and, as the children grow older, other aspects of their
development in the hands of God or nature.
Of course, parents might have a genetic defect corrected and should
promote their children’s education. But
these efforts should not turn into an arrogant quest to produce the perfect
human being.
David in the first reading today demonstrates an “openness
to the unbidden.” First, he humbly
recognizes that what he has and done are not his work alone but gifts from
God. Then, he expresses his gratitude to
God for the bounteous gifts. Finally, he
asks God to bless his offspring that they may live up to the promise of greatness
that God has made to him. Of course,
David’s request is fully realized in the coming of Jesus Christ.
