7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

1/19

In the Footsteps of Christ

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

2/19

Our Call to Love

Jesus and the Commands to Love Love for God and neighbor

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with allyour soul, with all your mind and with all your

strength. You must love your neighbor as yourself.(Mk 12:29-31; Mt 22:37-40)

The Love we received from God

I give you a new commandment: love one another;just as I have loved you, you must love one another.By this love you have for one another, everyone willknow that you are my disciples (Jn 13:34-35)

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

3/19

Our Call to Love

The norm forloving shiftsfrom self-loveto Gods lovefor us asrevealed in andby Christ.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

4/19

Christian moral challenge

To be formed in the spirit

of Christs love.

To integrate our confession of

faith with actual living.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

5/19

Jesus Our Model

The uniqueness of Jesus Christ:Fully Divine and really human.

Christs divinity assures the validityof his understanding and teachingregarding the meaning of humanity,

and his humanity guarantees thepossibility of our living in accordancewith his teachings.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

6/19

Gods Plan of Salvation The very essence of salvation is the plan of

God to rescue humankind from eternalpunishment and be with him forever. (I.Maningas, p.51)

Gods plan is actualized through Christs

death and resurrection and continues tounfold through the grace of His Spirit workingin us to help us conquer sin in the world andin us.

Two aspects: Our need for salvation emerges from thepresence of evil in our daily struggle.

Salvation demands that we be open to theinvitation of God in overcoming evil in the

world.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

7/19

Characteristics of ChristianMorality

Aurelio Fernandez-James Socias1) Affects first the person and then the

action.

2) Transforms both the inside and theoutside.

3) Considers the profound attitudes ofthe person.

4) Stresses more what ought to bedone than what is to be avoided.

5) Requires not only just actions but

also holiness.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

8/19

Characteristics of ChristianMorality

6) Is not a rigid morality marked by amultiplicity of precepts.

7) Includes both rewards andpunishment.

8) Is a morality for freedom.

9) Is fulfilled on earth, but it pertains to

the next life.10)Finds its beginning and end in love.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

9/19

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor inspirit, for theirs is thekingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those whomourn, for they shall be

comforted. Blessed are the meek, for

they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those whohunger and thirst for

righteousness, for theyshall be satisfied.

Blessed are the mercifulfor they shall obtainmercy.

Blessed are the pure inheart for they shall seeGod.

Blessed are thepeacemakers for they shall

be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are

persecuted for the sake offor theirs is the kingdom ofheaven.

Blessed are you when menrevile you and persecuteyou and and utter all kindsof evil against you falselyon my account, rejoice andbe glad, for your reward is

great in heaven.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

10/19

Beatitudes

The heart of Christian moralityAddresses more the being than the

action.

Challenges the Christian to aspire to alife of heroic virtue that transcends anexternal observance of the letter of thelaw.

Actively seeks the good of others anddoes not merely strive to avoid harmingthem.

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

11/19

CHRISTIAN

MORALITYIS CORRELATED

TO

HUMANDESTINY

ETERNAL LIFE

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

12/19

Master

what must I do

to possess eternal life?

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

13/19

TO REAFFIRM

THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE

To defend the worlds poor

Those threatened and despised

Those whose human rights are

violated

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

14/19

TO APPEAL TO EACH AND EVERY

PERSON

TO RESPECT PROTECT LOVE AND

SERVE

L I F E

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

15/19

TO COMMIT TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY

Even amidst so many difficulties and serious threats

The family will always remain in

accordance with Gods will

the sanctuary of life

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

16/19

TO APPEAL TO EACH AND EVERY

PERSON

THAT TOGETHER WE MAY OFFER

THE WORLD

NEW SIGNS OF HOPE

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

17/19

TO WORK SO AS TO ENSURE

THAT JUSTICE ANDSOLIDARITY

WILL INCREASE

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

18/19

TO AFFIRM A NEW CULTURE OF LIFE

For the building of an authentic

civilization of truth and love

Because the kingdom of God is present

in this civilization

7/27/2019 3.Christian Morality

19/19

References:

Vincent J. Genovesi,In Pursuit of Love:

Catholic Morality and Human Sexuality, 2nded. Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.,2003.

Aurelio Fernandez and James Socias, Our MoralLife in Christ: A Basic Course on MoralTheology, Scepter Publishers, Inc., Princeton,New Jersey, 1997.

Ismael Ireneo Maningas, Ed.D., FilipinoChristian Morality. St. Pauls Philippines, MakatiCity. 1998.