LIFE IN CHRISTLIFE IN CHRIST

Our Moral LifeOur Moral Life

What is the Purpose of Life?What is the Purpose of Life?

To Know,To Know,

love, and serve love, and serve

God to get to heavenGod to get to heaven

What is Morality?What is Morality?

• A standard by which we judge our A standard by which we judge our actions to be good or evil.actions to be good or evil.

• Morality can differ from culture to Morality can differ from culture to cultureculture

• How is the morality in this culture How is the morality in this culture judged?judged?

• How can the moral lifestyle of Jesus How can the moral lifestyle of Jesus help us?help us?

What is Christianity?What is Christianity?

• The unveiling of the mystery of God as The unveiling of the mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by Jesus, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by Jesus, the son.son.

• A name given to a life lived as Jesus A name given to a life lived as Jesus Christ (Son of God) lived in word and Christ (Son of God) lived in word and action.action.

• To live our life as Jesus Christ lived his lifeTo live our life as Jesus Christ lived his life

It All Starts With GodIt All Starts With God

• For everything, absolutely everything, For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, got above and below, visible and invisible, got started in Him and finds its purpose in him started in Him and finds its purpose in him (Col 1:16)(Col 1:16)

• It is God who directs the lives of His It is God who directs the lives of His creatures; everyone's life is in His power creatures; everyone's life is in His power (Job 12:10)(Job 12:10)

• It is in Christ we find out who we are and It is in Christ we find out who we are and what we are living for… (Eph 1:11)what we are living for… (Eph 1:11)

We Are Not an AccidentWe Are Not an Accident

• I am your creator. You were in my I am your creator. You were in my care before you were born (Isaiah care before you were born (Isaiah 44:2)44:2)

• The Lord will fulfill His purpose for The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me (Psalm 138:8)me (Psalm 138:8)

• God decided to give us life through God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the the word of truth so we might be the most important of all things He made most important of all things He made (James 1:18)(James 1:18)

• Knowing your purpose gives your life Knowing your purpose gives your life meaning, simplicity, focus and meaning, simplicity, focus and motivation. It also prepares you for motivation. It also prepares you for eternityeternity

• You Lord give perfect peace to those You Lord give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put who keep their purpose firm and put their faith in you (Isaiah 26:3)their faith in you (Isaiah 26:3)

What is Christian Morality?What is Christian Morality?

• Morality that helps the individual grow Morality that helps the individual grow in the knowledge and love of God to in the knowledge and love of God to enable the person to become Christ-enable the person to become Christ-like as possiblelike as possible

• So what does it mean to be Christ like?So what does it mean to be Christ like?

What is the difference between What is the difference between Ethics and Christian Morality?Ethics and Christian Morality?• Ethics doesn’t necessarily hold the belief in God as Ethics doesn’t necessarily hold the belief in God as

the main principle; it is based on natural morality.the main principle; it is based on natural morality.• Example- Humanism: humanity is the highest form Example- Humanism: humanity is the highest form

of existence. It’s end is to produce the highest way of existence. It’s end is to produce the highest way of life to gain happiness here on earth.of life to gain happiness here on earth.

• It ignores many of the questions posed by It ignores many of the questions posed by Aristotle/Plato. (Where do we come from? / What Aristotle/Plato. (Where do we come from? / What happens after we die?)happens after we die?)

• It is more a list of do’s and don’ts– like many lived It is more a list of do’s and don’ts– like many lived in the time of Jesus. Very narrow / legalistic / in the time of Jesus. Very narrow / legalistic / hypocriticalhypocritical

Human ConductHuman Conduct

• The requirements for human conduct The requirements for human conduct are derived not from what we think is are derived not from what we think is reasonable, just, or coherent, but reasonable, just, or coherent, but from what God indicates to be sofrom what God indicates to be so

• Because of God’s love for us He Because of God’s love for us He desires a relationship with us.desires a relationship with us.

What is Love?What is Love?

• A strong positive emotion of regard A strong positive emotion of regard and affection and affection

• Any object of warm affection or Any object of warm affection or devotion devotion

• A deep feeling of sexual desire and A deep feeling of sexual desire and attraction attraction

• a score of zero in tennis- Ha!!a score of zero in tennis- Ha!!• We know what love is but it is hard to We know what love is but it is hard to

define it. define it.

• LOVE IS RELATIONSHIPSLOVE IS RELATIONSHIPS

• Love requires one who loves (giver) Love requires one who loves (giver) and one who is the recipientand one who is the recipient

• Love deals with feelings, emotionsLove deals with feelings, emotions

• Love requires a giving of ones selfLove requires a giving of ones self

• To love requires selflessnessTo love requires selflessness

• Love requires not just that we do “good” Love requires not just that we do “good” to others but that we respect them, listen to others but that we respect them, listen to them, and be ready to learn from them. to them, and be ready to learn from them.

• To truly love others, we have to stand To truly love others, we have to stand ready to receive from them at least as ready to receive from them at least as much as we hope to give to themmuch as we hope to give to them

• If “doing good” is not accompanied by If “doing good” is not accompanied by respect and mutuality, then love becomes respect and mutuality, then love becomes patronizing kindness.patronizing kindness.

• Love requires a reciprocal giving and Love requires a reciprocal giving and taking. taking.

• Does this attitude require us to look Does this attitude require us to look differently at “love thy neighbor”?differently at “love thy neighbor”?

Why Jesus?Why Jesus?

• JESUS = LOVEJESUS = LOVE• Christian morality finds its perfection in Christian morality finds its perfection in

the moral message taught by Jesusthe moral message taught by Jesus• Jesus reveals God’s relationship to His Jesus reveals God’s relationship to His

children- (humanity)children- (humanity)• Through Jesus we can demonstrate to Through Jesus we can demonstrate to

others the saving life of God.others the saving life of God.• He came to promote a new way of living, He came to promote a new way of living,

not to replace one set of rules with not to replace one set of rules with anotheranother

How do we live a life emulating How do we live a life emulating that of Jesus Christ?that of Jesus Christ?

G R A C EG R A C E

•By God’s Grace – Through By God’s Grace – Through the Holy Spirit we receive the Holy Spirit we receive God’s grace. God’s grace.

•Grace strengthens and Grace strengthens and develops virtues within develops virtues within us. Certain virtues are us. Certain virtues are infused in us (i.e. they are infused in us (i.e. they are part of our make up)part of our make up)

What are Virtues?What are Virtues?

•Characteristics that Characteristics that exhibit moral exhibit moral excellence, excellence, righteousness, righteousness, goodnessgoodness

Cardinal VirtuesCardinal Virtues

• These virtues are the foundation of These virtues are the foundation of all other virtues. These are good all other virtues. These are good habits we can acquire through habits we can acquire through human efforthuman effort

PrudencePrudence

• 1) Prudence – makes us see what we 1) Prudence – makes us see what we should do and what we should avoid should do and what we should avoid in order to save our souls, as well as in order to save our souls, as well as choose the best means to reach choose the best means to reach heaven. “Right reason in action.” It heaven. “Right reason in action.” It helps us discover the good in every helps us discover the good in every situation and choose the right situation and choose the right method for achieving it.method for achieving it.

JusticeJustice

• 2) Justice – makes us render to each one his 2) Justice – makes us render to each one his due. due. There are four types:There are four types:

* Commutative – (community) fairness in our * Commutative – (community) fairness in our exchange with others. “You get what you exchange with others. “You get what you pay for and you pay for what you get.”pay for and you pay for what you get.”

* Distributive – the obligation of government * Distributive – the obligation of government to its citizens. Justice that guarantees the to its citizens. Justice that guarantees the common welfare. Making sure everyone gets common welfare. Making sure everyone gets what is necessary to live a truly human life.what is necessary to live a truly human life.

* Legal – the flip side to distributive justice. * Legal – the flip side to distributive justice. It relates the citizens obligations to the It relates the citizens obligations to the larger society and government. It requires larger society and government. It requires that citizens obey the laws of the societythat citizens obey the laws of the society

* Social – applies the gospel message of * Social – applies the gospel message of Jesus to the structures, systems and laws Jesus to the structures, systems and laws of society to guarantee the rights of the of society to guarantee the rights of the individuals. It is also known as contributive individuals. It is also known as contributive justice because we all have a duty to help justice because we all have a duty to help create goods, services, and other values create goods, services, and other values necessary for living together.necessary for living together.

TemperanceTemperance

• 3) Temperance – helps control evil 3) Temperance – helps control evil desires and use rightly the things desires and use rightly the things that please our senses. Enables us to that please our senses. Enables us to “control” our appetites. It is “control” our appetites. It is developed by self denialdeveloped by self denial

These Cardinal virtues help us lead These Cardinal virtues help us lead good Christian livesgood Christian lives

FortitudeFortitude

• 4) Fortitude – gives us strength to do 4) Fortitude – gives us strength to do God’s will in the midst of trials and God’s will in the midst of trials and difficulties. “Intestinal courage.” I difficulties. “Intestinal courage.” I have the ability to do what is right in have the ability to do what is right in the face of adversity, even when the face of adversity, even when fearfulfearful

Theological VirtuesTheological Virtues

• Theological virtues dispose us to live in a Theological virtues dispose us to live in a relationship with God (The Father, Son, Holy relationship with God (The Father, Son, Holy Spirit)Spirit)

• They are given to us by GodThey are given to us by God

• They allow the Holy Spirit to live and work They allow the Holy Spirit to live and work through usthrough us

• They enable us to share in the divine life of They enable us to share in the divine life of GodGod

• They are given at baptismThey are given at baptism

The 3 Theological VirtuesThe 3 Theological Virtues

FaithFaith

Hope Hope

CharityCharity

FaithFaith

1) – The virtue by which we firmly believe1) – The virtue by which we firmly believe

• Empowers us to believe in God and all Empowers us to believe in God and all that God has said and revealed to usthat God has said and revealed to us

• Faith is not just a human act to believe Faith is not just a human act to believe something. It is sharing in God’s own act something. It is sharing in God’s own act of knowing which means we can’t share of knowing which means we can’t share unless we share in God’s divine life.unless we share in God’s divine life.

HopeHope

2) – The virtue by which we firmly trust 2) – The virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal that God will give us eternal happiness in heaven and the means happiness in heaven and the means to obtain it.to obtain it.

Helps us desire heaven and eternal Helps us desire heaven and eternal happiness, trusting the promise of happiness, trusting the promise of ChristChrist

CharityCharity

3) – The virtue by which we love God 3) – The virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, above all things for His own sake, and our neighbors as ourselves for and our neighbors as ourselves for the love of God– and respect and the love of God– and respect and wisely use God’s good earthwisely use God’s good earth

Christianity is a Religious Christianity is a Religious MoralityMorality

• It is not a man-made ethical systemIt is not a man-made ethical system• It is revealed by God to clarify the It is revealed by God to clarify the

concepts of good /evilconcepts of good /evil• God reveals his ethical plan first to God reveals his ethical plan first to

Adam and EveAdam and Eve• God reaffirms with the 10 God reaffirms with the 10

CommandmentsCommandments• Perfects it in the moral message taught Perfects it in the moral message taught

by Jesus and the way he lived itby Jesus and the way he lived it

What is Sin?What is Sin?

• Sin is when we no longer acknowledge Sin is when we no longer acknowledge God as our creator and himself wishes to God as our creator and himself wishes to be the one who determines, with complete be the one who determines, with complete independence, what is good and evil (Gn. independence, what is good and evil (Gn. 3:15) The first temptation3:15) The first temptation

• Not being faithful to our beliefs and Not being faithful to our beliefs and practices makes it impossible to live a practices makes it impossible to live a style of life proposed by Jesus.style of life proposed by Jesus.

• God has not given us permission to sin; God has not given us permission to sin; only the free will to chooseonly the free will to choose

• How do we recognize sin? / Avoid sin?How do we recognize sin? / Avoid sin?

Following and imitating Following and imitating ChristChrist• This IS Christian MoralityThis IS Christian Morality• Following Christ is to be Christ like: To be a Following Christ is to be Christ like: To be a

person who fully understands and lives Christian person who fully understands and lives Christian MoralityMorality

• The imitation of Jesus is not to take the form of a The imitation of Jesus is not to take the form of a literal copy of his life, but a moral approachliteral copy of his life, but a moral approach

• It is a morality of perfection (shooting a It is a morality of perfection (shooting a basketball /hitting a baseball)basketball /hitting a baseball)

• We are called by Christ – Lk 9:59 “Follow me…” – We are called by Christ – Lk 9:59 “Follow me…” – Mk 8:34/ Mt 19:16 “If any man would come after Mk 8:34/ Mt 19:16 “If any man would come after me…”me…”

• We are obligated to accept this callWe are obligated to accept this call

• Accepting this call of following Jesus Accepting this call of following Jesus requires us to take up our cross and requires us to take up our cross and strive to make every moral choice as strive to make every moral choice as Jesus would during our daily life.Jesus would during our daily life.

• It is a patterning of our life after his. It is a patterning of our life after his. It is to show the same attitude and It is to show the same attitude and disposition Christ displayeddisposition Christ displayed

Vocation / DiscipleshipVocation / Discipleship

• The story of the young rich man (Mt. 19:16)The story of the young rich man (Mt. 19:16)

• Vocation comes from the Latin for call.Vocation comes from the Latin for call.

• Our life is seen as a vocation (calling) to a Our life is seen as a vocation (calling) to a particular type of lifeparticular type of life

• The word Disciple means “follower” The word Disciple means “follower” indicating adopting another persons way of indicating adopting another persons way of life, taking on his particular type of life, taking on his particular type of disciplinediscipline

Faith Requires DisciplineFaith Requires Discipline

• We are inclined to seek our own will in spite We are inclined to seek our own will in spite of the fact we are called to follow Christof the fact we are called to follow Christ

• To live a life of true discipleship we must To live a life of true discipleship we must discipline our minds and bodies to make discipline our minds and bodies to make this discipleship possiblethis discipleship possible

• Do you improve musically, athletically, Do you improve musically, athletically, physically, mentally without consistent physically, mentally without consistent practice, discipline and dedication?practice, discipline and dedication?

Exercises for a Stronger Exercises for a Stronger FaithFaith 1) SCRIPTURE 1) SCRIPTURE

Before every moral choice is made, the question Before every moral choice is made, the question must me asked, “what approach and action would must me asked, “what approach and action would Jesus take in this situation?” The Gospels give us Jesus take in this situation?” The Gospels give us the answer.the answer.

• Follow Jesus’ example to the best of your ability.Follow Jesus’ example to the best of your ability.• To do so you must have a working knowledge of To do so you must have a working knowledge of

the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles and Epistles.the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles and Epistles.• The goal is to be conformed to Jesus. Others should The goal is to be conformed to Jesus. Others should

be able to see him shinning through our words and be able to see him shinning through our words and actions.actions.

2) PRAYER2) PRAYER

• Prayer is communication with GodPrayer is communication with God• Can you have a close, intimate and satisfying Can you have a close, intimate and satisfying

relationship with someone you don’t talk to?relationship with someone you don’t talk to?• God desires to have a relationship with usGod desires to have a relationship with us• It helps us see ourselves in proper relationship to It helps us see ourselves in proper relationship to

God. We are His servants– He is our GodGod. We are His servants– He is our God• Prayer helps us see the purpose of God’s calling Prayer helps us see the purpose of God’s calling

for our lifefor our life• Prayer is a two way street. We talk to God and He Prayer is a two way street. We talk to God and He

talks to ustalks to us

Ephesians 1:17-20Ephesians 1:17-20

• You receive the spirit of wisdom and You receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himrevelation in the knowledge of Him

• The eyes of your understanding will The eyes of your understanding will be enlightenedbe enlightened

• You may know what is the hope of His You may know what is the hope of His callingcalling

• You understand the exceeding You understand the exceeding greatness of His power toward us greatness of His power toward us who believewho believe

Jesus is our ExampleJesus is our Example

• Jesus prayed because of His relationship to the FatherJesus prayed because of His relationship to the Father• Six times in John’s Gospel Jesus invites us to ask the Six times in John’s Gospel Jesus invites us to ask the

Father in His name for those things which glorify the Father in His name for those things which glorify the Father (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23,24,26)Father (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23,24,26)

• Our Lord spent all night in prayer before choosing His Our Lord spent all night in prayer before choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12)disciples (Luke 6:12)

• Jesus goes to the desert to pray and be strengthened Jesus goes to the desert to pray and be strengthened immediately after His baptism (Matthew 4:1-5)immediately after His baptism (Matthew 4:1-5)

Some Examples of Jesus in Some Examples of Jesus in Prayer in Marks GospelPrayer in Marks Gospel

• 1:35 -prays in a 'solitary place'1:35 -prays in a 'solitary place'6:41 -gives thanks for bread6:41 -gives thanks for bread6:46 -prays on the side of a mountain6:46 -prays on the side of a mountain8:6 -another prayer of thanks for bread8:6 -another prayer of thanks for bread8:7 -prays thanks for the fish, too8:7 -prays thanks for the fish, too14:22 -gives thanks for dinner bread14:22 -gives thanks for dinner bread14:23 -gives thanks for the wine14:23 -gives thanks for the wine14:32-41 -prays 3x in a garden14:32-41 -prays 3x in a garden

• Prayer is our power sourcePrayer is our power source

3) Church Community 3) Church Community

• We are social beingsWe are social beings• We are dependant on each other; we do We are dependant on each other; we do

not live lives independent of othersnot live lives independent of others• It is a communal gathering. We come It is a communal gathering. We come

together to give each other unitytogether to give each other unity• There’s a common experience sharedThere’s a common experience shared• We are all part of the one Mystical Body of We are all part of the one Mystical Body of

ChristChrist

UbuntuUbuntu

• It is a reference to ones actions It is a reference to ones actions toward another fellow human beingtoward another fellow human being

• I am human because I belong – orI am human because I belong – or

• A person is a person through other A person is a person through other peoplepeople

• No one comes into the world fully No one comes into the world fully formedformed

• We would not know how to think or We would not know how to think or walk or speak or behave unless we walk or speak or behave unless we learned it from fellow human beingslearned it from fellow human beings

• We need other human beings in order We need other human beings in order to be humanto be human

• The solitary, isolated human being is The solitary, isolated human being is a contradiction in termsa contradiction in terms

• Because we need one another, our Because we need one another, our natural tendency is to be cooperative natural tendency is to be cooperative and helpfuland helpful

Summery of PrinciplesSummery of Principles

1. Christ’s love is the foundation of Christian 1. Christ’s love is the foundation of Christian moralitymorality

• Christianity begins with love. Christ’s gift Christianity begins with love. Christ’s gift of himself to us is the perfect act of love.of himself to us is the perfect act of love.

• Christ’s love elevates human nature and Christ’s love elevates human nature and

perfects the natural law.perfects the natural law.

2. Christian religion has Christ as its 2. Christian religion has Christ as its end.end.

In his great love for us Christ In his great love for us Christ established the Church to unite established the Church to unite mankind with himself. To seek unity mankind with himself. To seek unity with Christ we must be united with with Christ we must be united with his Church which is his Mystical his Church which is his Mystical Body. The institution of Christian Body. The institution of Christian religion is based on this ideareligion is based on this idea

3. Our actions affect those with 3. Our actions affect those with whom we are unitedwhom we are united

• Because we seek to be eternally Because we seek to be eternally united with the Mystical Body of united with the Mystical Body of Christ, the actions of our lives, both Christ, the actions of our lives, both good and bad. Have eternal effects good and bad. Have eternal effects on ourselves and on the whole on ourselves and on the whole Church.Church.

4. Christ is our model4. Christ is our model

• Good habits promote an awareness of Good habits promote an awareness of the value of personal integritythe value of personal integrity

• Good moral habits are founded on Good moral habits are founded on good personal habitsgood personal habits

• Those who habitually try to do the Those who habitually try to do the good find making correct choices good find making correct choices easiereasier

• To ensure that we become like him, To ensure that we become like him, Christ gives us the Church, grace and Christ gives us the Church, grace and the scripturesthe scriptures

• Mother Teresa is a perfect example of Mother Teresa is a perfect example of someone whose words and deeds someone whose words and deeds manifest Christ’s presence within her.manifest Christ’s presence within her.

• Moral choices are not merely the Moral choices are not merely the acceptance of lawsacceptance of laws

• They are made as a matter of human They are made as a matter of human freedom and personal determinationfreedom and personal determination

• Our moral choices stem from and Our moral choices stem from and shape our particular attitudes toward shape our particular attitudes toward life.life.

• Therefore our mind and heart must be Therefore our mind and heart must be trained to be directed toward God.trained to be directed toward God.

• The secret lies in creating good The secret lies in creating good habits. Goodness is habitualhabits. Goodness is habitual

Why encourage Good Why encourage Good Habits?Habits?• Good habits promote an awareness of the Good habits promote an awareness of the

value of personal integrityvalue of personal integrity• Good moral habits are founded on good Good moral habits are founded on good

personal habitspersonal habits• Those who habitually try to do the good Those who habitually try to do the good

find making correct choices easierfind making correct choices easier• The person trying to acquire the Cardinal The person trying to acquire the Cardinal

virtues will find it easier to express these virtues will find it easier to express these convictions into good acts.convictions into good acts.

Acting out of LoveActing out of Love

• Christian morality is positive, motivated by the Christian morality is positive, motivated by the love of Godlove of God

• Motivation by fear limits us to “do’s” and “don'ts”Motivation by fear limits us to “do’s” and “don'ts”• Christian morality is a choice to return love for Christian morality is a choice to return love for

lovelove• Love is self sacrifice – selflessnessLove is self sacrifice – selflessness• Christ acted out of love, and He calls us to Christ acted out of love, and He calls us to

respond to Him out of loverespond to Him out of love• Love is more than not doing bad—it is the reason Love is more than not doing bad—it is the reason

we do good we do good

• Mk 11:12-21 The rich man fails to care for his Mk 11:12-21 The rich man fails to care for his neighbors needsneighbors needs

• Mt 25: 14-30 The man refuses to make use of Mt 25: 14-30 The man refuses to make use of his talentshis talents

• Mk 11: 12-14, 20-21 The fig tree is Mk 11: 12-14, 20-21 The fig tree is condemned because it failed to produce fruit condemned because it failed to produce fruit required of itrequired of it

• When we fail to do the required good, we are When we fail to do the required good, we are guilty of sins of omissionguilty of sins of omission

• Hunger, misery, and war are often falsely Hunger, misery, and war are often falsely attributed to God when they are a product of attributed to God when they are a product of human sin. We have a moral obligation to human sin. We have a moral obligation to avoid and, if possible, prevent these evilsavoid and, if possible, prevent these evils

Transforming The SoulTransforming The Soul

• The moral life is forged in the heart– the The moral life is forged in the heart– the interior of a personinterior of a person

• It is in thought, will, and emotion where It is in thought, will, and emotion where moral battles are foughtmoral battles are fought

• The heart must be kept free from evil The heart must be kept free from evil thoughts, desires, affections—they lead to thoughts, desires, affections—they lead to bad actionsbad actions

• The senses must be kept under control– The senses must be kept under control– since sin begins as a desiresince sin begins as a desire

• Mt 15:10-20 Jesus explains defilementMt 15:10-20 Jesus explains defilement

We are called to HolinessWe are called to Holiness

• By Baptism we are incorporated into By Baptism we are incorporated into Christ. Because of that we become Christ. Because of that we become what Christ is.what Christ is.

• We are united to Christ’s roles as We are united to Christ’s roles as prophet, priest, and king at Baptismprophet, priest, and king at Baptism

ProphetProphet

• We are witnesses to Jesus ChristWe are witnesses to Jesus Christ

• We witness by the lifestyle in which We witness by the lifestyle in which we livewe live

• The way we act, treat others, our The way we act, treat others, our attitude, all reflects how we are living attitude, all reflects how we are living our faith.our faith.

PriestPriest

• Minister to others / live the gospelMinister to others / live the gospel

• Nurture othersNurture others

• Be loving to allBe loving to all

KingKing

• The responsibility of establishing the The responsibility of establishing the reign of Christ in the worldreign of Christ in the world

• LeadershipLeadership

• StewardshipStewardship

• Being born makes you a creature of Being born makes you a creature of God. Being Baptized makes you a child God. Being Baptized makes you a child of Godof God

Human Intellect / Free Will and Human Intellect / Free Will and God’s Law of LoveGod’s Law of Love

• The human intellect enables us to The human intellect enables us to recognize and understand God’s recognize and understand God’s command to do good and avoid evil. command to do good and avoid evil. Free will enables us to choose good Free will enables us to choose good with the guidance of our conscience with the guidance of our conscience and to obey God’s law of love.and to obey God’s law of love.

Free WillFree Will

• God gives us the freedom to God gives us the freedom to accept/reject His will for usaccept/reject His will for us

• We are free only to the extent we We are free only to the extent we make good choicesmake good choices

• All choices to commit sin limit or All choices to commit sin limit or reduce freedom and lead to slavery to reduce freedom and lead to slavery to sinsin

• True freedom is the ability to do what True freedom is the ability to do what is goodis good

Christian Morality Finds its Christian Morality Finds its Beginning and End in LoveBeginning and End in Love

• Fear can keep you from committing Fear can keep you from committing sin but only love allows you to do sin but only love allows you to do goodgood

• Jesus gave the Apostles the 2 great Jesus gave the Apostles the 2 great commandments before His ascensioncommandments before His ascension

1. Love the Lord your God with all 1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soulyour heart, mind and soul

2. Love your neighbor as yourself2. Love your neighbor as yourself

Living a Moral LifeLiving a Moral Life

• Three moral principles for a moral life Three moral principles for a moral life apply to everyoneapply to everyone

1. Freedom: which makes a person a 1. Freedom: which makes a person a moral agentmoral agent

2. Conscience: which gives us the capacity 2. Conscience: which gives us the capacity to discover God’s will as written in our to discover God’s will as written in our soulssouls

3. Law: which should not limit freedom, 3. Law: which should not limit freedom, but allow it to function properlybut allow it to function properly

Living a Moral LifeLiving a Moral Life

• Right moral conduct perfects the Right moral conduct perfects the human being – wrong moral conduct human being – wrong moral conduct degrades himdegrades him

• Humans are the only ones to whom Humans are the only ones to whom moral good and evil can be moral good and evil can be attributed to. Animals are only attributed to. Animals are only attributed physical good and evilattributed physical good and evil

• Animals do not sin nor do they practice Animals do not sin nor do they practice virtuesvirtues

• Humans are responsible for their actions. Humans are responsible for their actions. Responsibility makes sin possibleResponsibility makes sin possible

• Humans act out of thought and Humans act out of thought and deliberation. We are unlike other animals deliberation. We are unlike other animals because we have a will and intellectbecause we have a will and intellect

• Intelligence gives meaning to the things Intelligence gives meaning to the things and free will allows for the doing or and free will allows for the doing or omitting of actions the intellect has omitting of actions the intellect has determined to be good or baddetermined to be good or bad

• Moral theology is the science that teaches Moral theology is the science that teaches us how to choose good and avoid evilus how to choose good and avoid evil

Moral and Immoral ActsMoral and Immoral Acts

• What circumstances determines What circumstances determines whether and act is moral or immoral?whether and act is moral or immoral?

An act is immoral when it is done with An act is immoral when it is done with knowledge and free willknowledge and free will

Actions that lack knowledge or free Actions that lack knowledge or free will do not fall under the realm of will do not fall under the realm of moralitymorality

Knowledge as a Condition Knowledge as a Condition for for Morality Morality • Actions without knowledge or free will fall Actions without knowledge or free will fall

under something called acts of human under something called acts of human which are considered differently than which are considered differently than human actions (actions like other animals)human actions (actions like other animals)

• Intellect and free will are the spiritual Intellect and free will are the spiritual faculties that humans possessfaculties that humans possess

• Human acts are acts because the express Human acts are acts because the express and determine the goodness or evil of the and determine the goodness or evil of the individual that performs them (and our individual that performs them (and our choices form our character)choices form our character)

• Because we are rational animals, the Because we are rational animals, the first requirement for a moral act is first requirement for a moral act is that it be done with knowledgethat it be done with knowledge

• Sin does not come about by surprise. Sin does not come about by surprise. It requires thought and consent to It requires thought and consent to actact

• Full knowledge involves clear and Full knowledge involves clear and deliberate knowledge of the morality deliberate knowledge of the morality of an actionof an action

Full knowledge Presumes Two Full knowledge Presumes Two

Things Things• Knowing clearly what he or she is Knowing clearly what he or she is

doing. Sins do not occur while asleep doing. Sins do not occur while asleep or semi-unconsciousor semi-unconscious

• Being aware of its moral dimension. Being aware of its moral dimension. Knowing the act is a good or an evilKnowing the act is a good or an evil

FreedomFreedom

• Freedom is our greatest qualityFreedom is our greatest quality• Freedom is the power, rooted in Freedom is the power, rooted in

reason and will, to act or not to act reason and will, to act or not to act on ones own responsibilityon ones own responsibility

• It is a force for growth and maturity It is a force for growth and maturity in truth and justicein truth and justice

• It attains perfection when directed It attains perfection when directed toward Godtoward God

• Freedom is one of the central themes of Freedom is one of the central themes of moral theology since the two specific moral theology since the two specific operations of our soul are founded in itoperations of our soul are founded in it— —

intellect and willintellect and will

• The higher degrees of freedom a person The higher degrees of freedom a person reaches, the more capable the person is reaches, the more capable the person is to higher levels of moralityto higher levels of morality

• A sinful person becomes a slave to his A sinful person becomes a slave to his passions passions

• Freedom does not make us free to be who Freedom does not make us free to be who or what we wishor what we wish

• The freedom we have is to establish a The freedom we have is to establish a loving relationship with Godloving relationship with God

• When we choose to reject this call is when When we choose to reject this call is when we become slaves to our passions we become slaves to our passions (Romans 7:15)(Romans 7:15)

• Doing evil is not freedom, nor a part of Doing evil is not freedom, nor a part of freedom, but only a sign that we have the freedom, but only a sign that we have the capability to choosecapability to choose

• The choice to disobey and do evil is an The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedomabuse of freedom

• The proper use of freedom increases our The proper use of freedom increases our capacity to love the truth and grow in the capacity to love the truth and grow in the knowledge of moral virtueknowledge of moral virtue

• One never loses the capability to make One never loses the capability to make choices, but habits of making correct choices, but habits of making correct moral choices is necessary for moral choices is necessary for freedom to function (a drug addict)freedom to function (a drug addict)

• Freedom is not rooted in the physical Freedom is not rooted in the physical ability to do evil, but in the moral duty ability to do evil, but in the moral duty to do the good—a strong man can to do the good—a strong man can abuse a weaker on but he ought not to abuse a weaker on but he ought not to do so.do so.

• We have the physical ability to do We have the physical ability to do many morally objectionable things, but many morally objectionable things, but we have the moral duty to avoid themwe have the moral duty to avoid them

• ““Do you not know that if you yield Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey, either of sin, which whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness (Rom 6:16)leads to righteousness (Rom 6:16)

• Thus a person increases his freedom Thus a person increases his freedom when he rejects evil and does goodwhen he rejects evil and does good

Responsibility For Ones Responsibility For Ones ActionsActions• Each person is responsible for his own Each person is responsible for his own

actions and their consequencesactions and their consequences• There is no freedom independent of There is no freedom independent of

responsibilityresponsibility• The way to acquire and grow in freedom is The way to acquire and grow in freedom is

by exercising responsibilityby exercising responsibility• God is not to blame for human evils that God is not to blame for human evils that

originate from our abuse of freedomoriginate from our abuse of freedom• War, hunger, crime, drugs, AIDS—none are War, hunger, crime, drugs, AIDS—none are

desired by God. The abuse of human desired by God. The abuse of human freedom is to blamefreedom is to blame

• Is a person less free because he Is a person less free because he accepts restrictions?accepts restrictions?

• Not all restrictions necessarily involve Not all restrictions necessarily involve a loss of freedom. Certain restrictions a loss of freedom. Certain restrictions are in fact a safeguard of freedom. are in fact a safeguard of freedom. One may accept them because he One may accept them because he believes they help to make him free believes they help to make him free (or stay free)(or stay free)

At the end of the day, one At the end of the day, one must examine his conscience must examine his conscience to understand the results of to understand the results of all his moral choices - and all his moral choices - and eliminate those choices that eliminate those choices that led to sinled to sin

What is Conscience?What is Conscience?

• Conscience is a judgment of reason Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of an act he is going the moral quality of an act he is going to perform, or has already performed.to perform, or has already performed.

• It is a practical judgment; it judges It is a practical judgment; it judges whether a particular act is right or whether a particular act is right or wrong from an ethical point of view wrong from an ethical point of view and advise accordinglyand advise accordingly

• By conscience, God’s law is made By conscience, God’s law is made known to us which is fulfilled in the known to us which is fulfilled in the love of God and of one’s neighborlove of God and of one’s neighbor

• Conscience is rooted in the truth—the Conscience is rooted in the truth—the truth about mankind, law, and what is truth about mankind, law, and what is good and evilgood and evil

• Truths remain true whether we adhere Truths remain true whether we adhere to them or not, conscience is not an to them or not, conscience is not an infallible guide; there is always the infallible guide; there is always the possibility of error in one’s judgmentpossibility of error in one’s judgment

• Conscience does not create truth Conscience does not create truth (law); rather, it finds law and takes it (law); rather, it finds law and takes it as a guideas a guide

• Conscience does not create truth (God’s Conscience does not create truth (God’s law); rather, it finds truth (law) and law); rather, it finds truth (law) and takes it as a guidetakes it as a guide

• Freedom of conscience is never Freedom of conscience is never freedom “from” the truth but always freedom “from” the truth but always and only freedom “in” the truthand only freedom “in” the truth

• So the value of right conscience prevails So the value of right conscience prevails over an unjust (man made) lawover an unjust (man made) law

• Our conscience, if formed properly, Our conscience, if formed properly, protectsprotects

our dignity and the means necessary to our dignity and the means necessary to reach happiness reach happiness

• Can you think of any examples where Can you think of any examples where civil laws and moral truths conflict civil laws and moral truths conflict with one another?with one another?