Mystery and the Human Person


MYSTERY AND THE HUMAN PERSON

Mario D’Couto

            In one of my previous articles called, “Suffering: A problem or a mystery” (https://insightsfromacommonman.blogspot.com/2013/06/suffering-problem-or-mystery.html) I had tried to distinguish these two aspects of reality based on the understanding of Gabriel Marcel’s philosophy. A mystery is not like a problem that can be solved; it is to be lived. The human person is to a large extent a mystery and that is precisely because he or she is a being made up of so many things. We, human beings, are not just mere creatures. We are also spiritual, social, psychological, emotional and last but not least, we are all contextual beings. If we were not contextual beings, then life would be meaningless and would not make sense at all.

            Louise Hageman goes on to elaborate on this theme in her book, “In the midst of winter”. A religious person (not a priest, cleric or a nun but someone who is committed to his or her work) respects life and its mystery. However, according to the Christian existentialist, Gabriel Marcel, the contemporary human person is no longer rooted in mystery. Frequently in present day culture the human person is regarded as an ‘object’ among the rest and is presented merely as a problem to be solved by technical methods alone (like through science and psychology for example). Marcel does not deny the value of scientific and pragmatic intelligence, for there is a definite sense in which man is rightly included with other things that are subject to technical control and measurement. However, this is not the only way in which the human person and other beings ought to be treated.

            The human person is not just a physical entity but goes far beyond that, for he or she can undertake an evaluation of his or her own life (since we humans are self – conscious beings). Such evaluation raises the question like “Who is it that asks about the meaning of his being and of the world?” “Who is it that calls this life into question?” and while such questions can sound a bit philosophical, these are questions that can only the human person can come up with given our ability to reason and find meaning and purpose.

            Another reason we may infer as to why the human person is a mystery because each individual, every man, woman and child is an embodiment of the Spirit of the Almighty God, the Imago Dei (image of God). He has breathed into each of us His Spirit (Genesis 2:7). I firmly believe that it is the mysterious dimension of the human life that makes it so sacred and that is why it is to be revered and in times like these where the future seems uncertain and where some are battling for their lives, it only seems to strengthen this point.

            Considering the number of the atrocities done to human life be it in the form of violence against women, abortion, female infanticide, the holocaust, terrorist attacks and other such incidents, I suppose what Marcel said is true, the contemporary human being is no longer rooted in mystery. When we loose the mysterious dimension of ourselves or if we fail to recognize it, then not only do we treat the other as an object but in a sense, we may also eventually end up not valuing our own lives and appreciating it for what it is due to which we could make wrong choices or decisions that would have consequences. Perhaps this quarantine may be a good time for us to reflect on the vulnerability of human life. We may pride ourselves with the advancement in technology, money, power and so on but when one’s life is at stake and is put to a point where neither all the wealth, power or resources put together can help save the day, I think that is something to think about. We all have one life to live which only begs the questions, “How do you and I want to live it?” It is only a change and a conversion of heart that will help us get back that mysterious element into our lives where we will be able to see things the way God sees. Perhaps this pandemic may be a time of purification and despite all the political controversy surrounding it, I think, this may be an indirect blessing in taking the time out to appreciate the fact that we are still alive and breathing (if you are reading this blogpost/article of course) and building us into better humans, not just spiritually but also, intellectually, emotionally and psychologically. God love you! Stay blessed!


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