Be True to Who You Are

By Gina G. La Prova, M.D.

One of my favorite quotes is by the devout Catholic Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who answered the following to a question regarding his friendship with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, “I attack ideas. I don’t attack people. Some very good people have some very bad ideas. And if you can’t separate the two, you gotta get another day job.”

I believe that the late Justice Scalia demonstrated the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, namely:

Human Dignity –– Every person is precious. People are more important than things.
Solidarity –– We are one family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences.
Subsidiarity –– Larger institutions in society should not overwhelm or interfere with smaller or local institutions.

I have reflected on Justice Scalia’s statement numerous times, particularly since I teach in a very liberal institution. Those two justices could not have been more different in their beliefs on controversial topics, however, they seemed to see the fundamental good in each other making them lifelong friends.

I often wonder how someone can be a part of such a liberal group of people and yet maintain their personal beliefs and values when it comes to certain topics. I have found that there is a way. It is imperative for us as Catholics to shine the light of God with respect and compassion and at the same time hold true to our values and beliefs. As it says in Scripture, light overcomes darkness (John 1:5) and I believe that is true now more than ever. How someone chooses to live or believe is not a forum for us to judge as human beings but it is an opportunity to shine light and demonstrate goodness, love and grace so that all become attracted to the light that God shines on us daily.

As physicians, we too can adopt the approach of Justice Scalia. By staying true to who we are as Catholics, yet opening our arms to others and seeing everyone through the eyes of Jesus, we will allow the light to shine through us with the hope that those we encounter will want to come towards that light.

Justice Scalia said this about his longtime friend Justice Bader Ginsberg, “Call us the odd couple. She likes opera, and she’s a very nice person. What’s not to like? Except her views on the law.”

During a 1987 speech to the Jewish organization B’nai B’rith in Washington D.C., Justice Scalia said, “One of the strengths of this great country, one of the reasons we really are a symbol of light and of hope for the world, is the way in which people of different faiths, different races, different national origins have come together –– not merely tolerate one another because I think that is too stingy a word for what we have achieved, but to respect and love one another.”

May this be an example for us all as physicians to come together despite our differences and unite for the greater good.

Dr. Gina G. La Prova is an assistant professor at Brown University/ Alpert Medical School as well as a committee member of CMA’s Catholic Social Justice in Medicine Committee.

The post Be True to Who You Are appeared first on Catholic Medical Association.

Categorised in: Uncategorized