The Power of Goodness

Last week I wrote an article on Pope Francis as a teacher who teach by his good example. And aided by the internet and media, and of course, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, this goodness of the Holy Father has been shown to possess remarkable drawing power.

Aside from grace, where does goodness get it power? According to philosophers goodness is a ‘transcendental being’, a thing that exists and is real but is beyond the grasp of our physical faculties. This is why it is called metaphysical.

Goodness is inseparable from truth and beauty. Truth puts us in touch with reality which we consider as good and behold as beautiful. They are essential properties of every being.

So good example has power to demand attention because it is true and real, beautiful and therefore pleasing. The true and the beautiful enhance its power. In the order of grace, they are reflections of God the Transcendent Being, who is Truth and Goodness and Beauty Himself, and source of Power.

We can therefore say that there is godly in the good example of persons like Pope Francis. Hence its drawing power is irresistible.

Each of us has the natural capacity to do good because the good in us is inborn. All we need is the desire and the will to do it, to actualize it, to act it out.