Chapter 1: The Gift of Being Human PERSON IN CHRIST - CHRIST REVEAL THE

-We are a reflection of God’s image so we ESSENTIAL

must treat and love equally. DIGNITY OF ALL PERSONS:
GOD-LIKE QUALITIES: -Created by God in His image and likeness
*To think -Redeemed by the blood of Christ
*To choose -Sanctified by the Holy Spirit
*To love -Called to be children of God
*To relate to others in the community -Destined for eternal life
“Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili II. PERSONS IN EXPERIENCE
lamang” Persons are open and relational by nature
TRINITARIAN LOVE * We realize being a person means being by
Humans can reflect Trinitarian love by joining others (our conception, birth, upbringing),
in a communion of love with others in their * being with others (our family, friends,
community. neighbors, business associates),
The Basics of Catholic Morality * and being for others (love, service).
Persons are conscious beings, aware of
themselves in their outgoing acts.
Modeling Christ * We possess this self-awareness through our
The building blocks of Catholic morality: knowing and free willing.
1. Be who you are. * Thus we “image” in our small way the
-Beauty is deeper than pretty (more on Creator’s infinite knowing and loving.
physical appearance). PERSONS ARE EMBODIED SPIRITS
2. Form and follow your conscience. * This stresses the unity between our “body
- Conscience appears before and after a and soul.” Our bodies are essential part of our
decisions. being human, not merely an instrument we use
3. Respond to God’s call to holiness by using according to our whims.
the helps he gives us to live virtuous lives, to * St. Paul admonishes us: “You must know that
avoid sin, and to do good. your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is
LIVING AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST within – the Spirit you have received from
MORAL AGENT: THE HUMAN God…. So, glorify God in your body” (1 Cor
PERSON 6:19-20).
* Christian moral life is simply the call to PERSONS ARE HISTORICAL REALITIES
become loving persons, in the fullness of life- * We are pilgrims-on-the-way, who gradually,
with-others-in-community before God, in through time, becomes our full selves. In
imitation of Jesus Christ. exercising freedom, we decide for ourselves
* The key to moral life is our dignity as human and form ourselves; in this sense we are our
persons, created by God, redeemed by Christ, own cause.
sanctified by the Spirit, and destined for eternal PERSONS ARE UNIQUE, YET
life with God. FUNDAMENTALLY EQUAL
* The key to moral life, then, is the human * This is what our faith explains: “All men are
person, considered in the light of both reason endowed with a rational soul and are created in
and faith. God’s image; they have the same nature and
origin and, being redeemed by Christ, they - Allow the Holy Spirit to live in us
enjoy the same divine calling and destiny. - Be Christlike and act as true sons and
PERSONS ARE UNIQUE, YET daughters of a loving Father
FUNDAMENTALLY EQUAL - Act like true friends of Jesus – showing love
* This fundamental of all individual persons for God and neighbor
also grounds the participation and solidarity of Types of Vocations
all people, we are all called to be o Singe blessedness
brothers/sisters. o Married life
The Basics of Catholic Morality o Consecrated life
Humans Are Made in God’s Image Chapter 2
Because we are made in God’s image: Discernment
* We have dignity – our worth does not have to * A decision-making process that attends to the
be earned implications and consequences of an action or
* We can think – we are able to distinguish choice. The Holy Spirit aids you in
good from evil distinguishing between trials (which are
* We have freedom – free will helps us desire necessary for your inner growth in virtue) and
what is good and then choose it temptations (which lead to sin and death).
* We are responsible – we are blameworthy for The Cardinal Virtues
our actions Prudence - Right reason in action
Because we are made in God’s image: Justice - Giving God and each person his or
* We are wounded by sin – though we are her due by right
fundamentally good, we have inherited the Fortitude - Courage to persist in living a
effects of Original Sin Christian life
* We are children of God – Christ’s Paschal Temperance - Moderation in controlling
Mystery of Salvation has forgiven our sins and desires for physical pleasures
rescued us from Satan S.T.O.P.
* We are friends of the Lord – we must love 1. Search out the facts.
him above all and our neighbors as ourselves 2. Think about the alternatives and
The Basics of Catholic Morality consequences.
Humans Are Made in God’s Image 3. Others can help you to make good
Humans and society decisions.
* By nature, humans live with and for 4. Pray.
others, belonging to many societies Objective Norms of Morality
* Each society must treat people as ends *The object chosen is a good toward which the
and not as means – promoting virtue and will deliberately directs itself. It is the matter of
love a human act. The object chosen morally
*We act morally when we: specifies the act of the will, insofar as reason
- Responsibly use our God-given intellects and recognizes and judges it to be or not to be in
wills conformity with the true good. Objective norms
- Choose good and avoid evil of morality express the rational order of good
* We act morally when we: and evil, attested to by conscience.
- Act as persons of incomparable worth who Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1751
respect the essential dignity of others
Pope John Paul II  Counselors
“We need now more than ever to have the  Close friends
courage to look the truth in the eye and to call  JESUS: Sermon on the Mount
things by their proper name. . . . Procured Authority of the Magisterium
abortion is . . . deliberate and direct killing.” The Magisterium—the bishops, in union with
(Evangelium Vitae, 58) the pope, the successor of St. Peter—is
entrusted with guarding and handing on the
CIRCUMSTANCES of an action answers
Deposit of Faith and with authentically
questions that begin with who, when, where,
interpreting God’s Revelation, in the forms of
and how.
both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
Who - The persons action or failure to act may
Praying
determine the seriousness of a choice.
 The living relationship of the children of
When - Time may not affect the goodness or
God with their father.
evil of a moral action at all. Or it can make all
the difference.  Praise God for his goodness, thank God for
Where - The where question may be morally his wonderful gifts.
neutral or may be very significant (e.g., yelling  Express sorrow for sins.
“fire” in a crowded theatre).  Offer support for other people.
How - The how question usually refers to the  Ask God for various favors and graces.
means a person uses in making a decision.
Remember that the end does not justify the
means.
Keeping a Good Intention in Moral
Decisions
 Intention has to do with the subjective
dimension of morality.
 Jesus insisted on good intentions for all
actions.
 Your motive or intention is a significant
factor in judging the morality of an action. 
 The end does not justify the means.

Sources of Wisdom in the Moral Life

 Elders
 Grandparents
 Teachers