Lesson 1 The Moral Person

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him.Gen 1:27

Everything has been created as a gift of

love for us and we have been created as a

gift of love for the others!

Image of God = LOVE

CREATION: starting point of Morality

Morality- Science of what we ought to DO by reason of who we ARE

Being created through God’s Love, man is capable of directing herself toward what is true and good.

What is Moral Life?

Conduct Behavior Attitudes

Right or Wrong?

The experience of Peter, James and John with Jesus changed their perspective, attitudes, ad values about people and things.

Christian Moral Life

‘What I just did is to give you example: as I have done so you

must do.’

John 13:15

Christian Moral Life

2. Centered

on the Gospel

1. Following Christ

redirection

•Minds

•Hearts

•Actions

Walking

•Towards His direction

Turning

•To new direction of life: Jesus the Way

Grow in faith

Love of others

and prayer

s

Process of

becoming the

person we truly

are

Life commitment to liberate and transform others to

become Christ’s followers

LIFE

Courage, commitment and

Holy Spirit

Simply following Jesus Christ on His person and His values laid down for us in the Gospel and continuing His saving mission

here and now

Characteristics of a Person

Rational Being

Relational Being by Nature

Embodied Spirit

Historical Realities

Unique, yet fundamental

ly Equal

Unique, yet fundamentally equalDifference: appearance, talents, abilities, way of thinking and reasoning out, perspective and attitudes

•Each of us plays a special role for the good of the community

Unique, yet fundamentally equalEqual: All are endowed with rational soul and are created in the image of God; have the same nature and origin, and being redeemed by Christ, enjoy the same Divine calling and destiny

•We should work together to build the world in genuine peace

Rational Being

•Conscious being•We possess this self-awareness through our knowing and free willing

•Think decide act•We image in our small way the Creator’s infinite knowing and loving

Relational Beings by Nature

•Social beings•In the context of others we come to the full realization of who we are as individuals

•Influence the way we think, act and feel

Embodied Spirits

•Human with body – soul•Soul – animates human Body•Human Body – essential part of being human; not merely an instruments we use according to our whims

Historical Realities

•We are pilgrims on-the-way, who gradually, become our full selves

•We decide and form ourselves

In love we express our identity as

person

Love

•Requires conscious decision•Encounter of two persons•interpersonal

What is love?

Virtue

•Habitual and firm disposition to do good

•Makes the person not only perform good acts, but also give the best of himself

•Developed capacity of the mind or will to accomplish moral good.

CCC, 1803

Cardinal Virtues

Play an essential role in disposing one to freely act the good from

which all other virtues are grouped

Prudence Justice

Fortitude Temperance

Discern the true good in every circumstance and choose the right means to accomplish it

Constant and firm will to give what is due to God and neighbor

Ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of good

Moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods

Theological Virtues

•Directly related to God•Dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Spirit

•Infused by God into our soul•Enable us to respond to His Divine Revelation

Charity/Love

Hope

Faith

The Father desires nothing than the best for us. We can actually pray for virtues. The Lord will

help and strengthen us develop the different virtues that we may

continue to live a moral life.

Prayers

•Strengthens us to live Christian Moral Life

•Communication to God•Deepens our relationship with Him which allows us to understand more fully the Truth of Christ

Prayer and an active sacramental life are the necessary means not only for clarifying the Christian vision, but also for motivating

responsible moral decisions and acts.

CFC 844

What are the things that you can do to life a moral Christian life?•Have faith and entrust yourself to God•Think positive•Love and be happy•Think before you act•Treat others with respect and

understanding•Control your desires and passions•Don’t’ quit•Participate in the Eucharistic celebration•Visit the Blessed Sacrament everyday