Morality and Catholic Teaching

Morality: The term that describes the way we have been created to live. A means of evaluating whether our actions are good or evil; a way of judging whether our actions lead us to God or away from God. (Resources for Christian Living®, Liturgy and Morality, page 146 © 2001)

To live a “Moral Life” is about living the “Virtues” that build healthy relationships both with God and people.
Virtues are habits that help us do what is right and avoid what is wrong.
Virtues are “Attitude” that strengthens us to live the new life we receive in Baptism.

The Gift of Conscience

“Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment. . . .

For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God. . . His conscience is man’s most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths.” 47 The Catechism

The Natural Law

God has imprinted the natural law on the heart of every man; this forms the fundamental rule of human action. It is the foundation of the moral life of everyone – Christian and non-Christian. It is the original sense of right and wrong It enables us by human reason to know good and evil; and it helps us recognize that evil leads us away from God’s love.

The Gift of Free Will

We pick…Right or Wrong!
"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him." Deuteronomy 30:19-20

"No one experiencing temptation should say, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." James 1:13-15

Sources of Morality

Our Moral Life is formed by the Choices we make.
What we choose to do “The Object”
Why we choose “The Intention”
The details surrounding the act “The Circumstances”

In the face of all we have been taught and all the bells and whistles going off inside us warning us not to do something, we sometimes freely ignore the warnings and do something we know is wrong. When we do, we sin. Depending upon the seriousness of the act (sin) it is either Mortal Sin (deadly) or Venial Sin (less serious).

Temptation

We are all subjected to temptation; to prefer that which is desirable over what we know to be good for us. Temptation is in itself not the Sin;

It is an incitement to sin whether by persuasion or by the offer of some good or pleasure. It may be merely external, as was the case of Christ's encounter in the desert after the forty days' fast; or it may be internal as well, inasmuch as there is a real assault upon a person's will power.

It arises sometimes from the propensity to evil inherent in us as a result of original sin. Sometimes it is directly chargeable to the intervention of the Devil, who can furnish the imagination with its sinful subject-matter and stir up the lower powers of the soul. (New Advent, the Catholic Encyclopedia)

A Well-formed Conscience

Doesn't just happen…
Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened.
A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful.

The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings. 1784

The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. The education of the conscience guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart. . 1785

In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path, we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice.

We must also examine our conscience before the Lord’s Cross. We are assisted: by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church. 47 The Catechism

We must strive to form our conscience to the Objective Norm of the Truth, “Jesus”.
Here is what we do….
Seek the Truth “Jesus, … Learn the Catholic Faith”
State of Grace – the Power … Sanctifying Grace strengthens our will so that for us the war against sin becomes easier.
Daily Prayer “morning, at meal, night, anytime, formal/informal”
Devotion “As often as possible”… Rosary, Novena, Adoration
Penance “Regularly, when in Mortal Sin, Easter Duty”
The Mass “Every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation
The Eucharist “When we are without mortal sin”

Living the Virtues

The Moral Virtues give expression to our finest human values: love of God and neighbor, honesty, integrity, responsibility, and so on…(Dorothy Day)
Prudence “Spiritual Common Sense”
Justice “ Our Sense of Fairness”
Fortitude “Courage to do the Right Thing”
Temperance “Our Safety Net”

Fruits of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:19-26

Charity, Generosity, Joy, Gentleness, Peace, Faithfulness, Patience, Modesty, Kindness, Self-control, Goodness, Chastity

We can measure our success by honestly asking and answering ourselves…
How do we love?
Are we joyful?
Do we show compassion to others?
Do we try to do good?
Are we humble?
Do we exercise self control?