making moral choices gifts & guides. called to be holy the goal of christian morality is to...
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MAKING MORAL CHOICES
Gifts & Guides
Called to Be Holy
The goal of Christian morality is to live a holy life Commitment to live as a true follower or
disciple of Christ Put into daily practice the moral principles and
teachings given to us by Christ and taught to us by the Church
Be passionate in this practice The primary role of a Christian is to be a
disciple of Jesus; the primary characteristic is to “have love for God and one another”
Love
God Shared with us Within us
Sin: the misuse of the power given to us by God for doing good; a use contrary to God’s commandments. Intellect: using reason to think about or
conspire about wrongdoing Free will: actions that are contrary to God’s
commands Love: misuse or anger
Vocations
The opportunity to live your Baptismal vocations A meaningful job
Employment that contributes to the good of society Providing goods and services with a joyful caring attitude
Volunteer work Works of mercy
Service to the Church Participating in the various ecclesial ministries
Religious movements Joining religious movements that encourage and support
the call to share God’s love with others Missionary activity
Traveling to places where there is little or no knowledge of Christianity to share both knowledge and love
Grace
The free, undeserved gift of God’s loving and active presence in the universe and our lives. It empowers us to respond to His call and to live as adopted sons and daughters. It restores our communion with the Trinity which was lost through sin. Sanctifying grace
Grace by which our sins are forgiven and we are made holy by God
Actual grace God’s intervention and support for us in everyday moments
Sacramental grace Grace proper to each of the sacraments
Special grace (charisms) Gifts intended for the common good of the Church
Personal gifts and talents given to each of us to be used for the good of all
Virtues
A habitual and firm disposition to do good The Theological Virtues (God given gifts from
which all other virtues flow) Faith Hope Charity
The Cardinal Virtues (pivotal virtues on which the other virtues depend) Prudence Temperance Justice Fortitude
Vice: a practice or habit that leads a person to sin
Theological Virtues
Faith A gift from God that is also a response. God invites
us to believe in Him, we accept or reject that offer. Faith must be accompanied with action or it is false.
Hope Closely connected to faith, it enables us to trust in
God and all of His promises Charity
Also called “love”, the greatest virtue; the human longing for God and a selfless commitment to support the dignity of all humans because each is created in God’s image and likeness.
Cardinal Virtues
Prudence Virtue that inclines us toward choosing the moral good
and avoiding evil. The “rudder” virtue, it steers us through complex situations
Temperance The virtue by which we moderate our appetites or
passions to achieve balance in the use of created goods Justice
The virtue that commits us to actions and attitudes that ensure that all persons, especially the poor receive what is due them
Fortitude Enables us to maintain good moral judgment and act
on it in the face of difficulties and challenges
Sacraments
Seven efficacious signs instituted by Christ, entrusted to the Church, and dispense grace. Visible rites that make grace present Necessary for salvation Necessary to live a moral life Necessary for our holiness
Sacramental Grace
BaptismSanctifying grace
forgives all of our sins
ConfirmationPerfects the grace of
Baptism
Gifts of Spirit strengthen our lives
EucharistCommunion with
Christ, nourishes us and strengthens us
ReconciliationGrace of forgiveness
Anointing of the SickUnited with Christ in suffering, given the strength to continue living amid illness and suffering
MatrimonyHelps with faithfulness, openness to children and virtuous lives
Holy OrdersHelps to live their clerical lives virtuously as an example to others and to serve as their order requires
Guides for Moral Living
Revelation Scripture Tradition
Magisterium Who develops teachings from scripture and tradition
Natural Law God given ability to understand right and wrong
Witness Saints, parents, leaders
Conscience An “inner voice”, a God given sense of the dive law.
It leads us to understand that we are responsible for our actions and prompts us to do good and avoid evil
Role of Conscience
At work in all stages of moral decision making Helps to recognize the moral consequences to an
action Makes a judgment about the moral correctness of a
specific act to be performed Gives us inner peace or a feeling of guilt depending
on the morality of the action already done Not
the moral opinion of the majority A feeling
Dependent on how well we use our reason to understand Divine Law
Formation of Conscience
Study and know the doctrine of the Church Read and reflect on scripture Examine and evaluate your daily actions Read about the saints and other holy persons that
will inspire you to form and follow your conscience Receive the sacraments of Eucharist and
Reconciliation often Conscience in error
Deliberate, (responsible) Accidental, (partially responsible, not responsible)
Obey your conscience You must take the right action to avoid sinning
Making a Moral Decision
Find the facts Review the elements of the moral decision
Assess the alternatives Reflect on the possible actions that can be taken instead
Consider the consequences Evaluate the effect to your relationship with God, others and
yourself
Think about God’s teachings 10 commandments, beatitudes, Jesus’ “Law of Love”
Seek spiritual support Pray Seek help from a spiritual mentor
MAKING MORAL CHOICES
Forgiveness & Reconciliation
The Gospel Call to Forgiveness Jesus calls us to forgive through his
example and his words Forgave those who executed them Preached love of enemy Taught against retribution, anger, revenge Forgave sinners
Jesus also calls us to seek forgiveness Repent and hear the “Good News”
Seeking Forgiveness
Admit wrong doing Examination of conscience
Love of God Love of neighbor
Seek reconciliation Ask for forgiveness
God Neighbor
Accept forgiveness
Granting Forgiveness
Forgiveness Requires the action of one person
Reconciliation Requires the action of two persons
Consequences of “unforgiveness” Hurt Resentment