Morality Trimester 1 Review

1st step of true happiness

Draw near to Jesus through Baptism

2nd step of true happiness

Follow Christ as a disciple

3rd step of true happiness

Eternal happiness, joy, and glory of heaven

Human Reason

God-given intellect

Human experience

Collective wisdom of others

Divine Revelation

God’s teachings in Scripture/Church tradition (CCC)

Why did God make me?

1. to know
2. to love
3. to serve
4. to be happy with him in heaven

Human Soul

innermost spiritual principle of human beings.

Human nature

The soul and body together form one unique human nature

The Baltimore Catechism

Used in Catholic Schools in U.S. from in 1885 to late 1960s

Angels

spiritual creatures created by God with intelligence and will, who surpass humans in perfection

The theology of the Body

We must treat our body with reverence because it is sacred, written by St. Pope John Paul II

Nihilism

a philosophy that believes that there is no meaning to existence

Original Sin

Describes the fallen state of human nature, which affects every person and from which Christ came to redeem the world

Baptism

The sacrament imparts the life of Christ, erases Original Sin, and turns a person back toward God

Concupiscence

A word that refers to disordered human desires resulting from Original Sin that produce an inclination to sin

Ongoing Spiritual Battle

Describes the constant “battle” between the flesh and the spirit to do right and rely on the help of God’s grace to grown in holiness, truth, and life

Dignity

when someone is treated as someone & not something

Intellect

Humans are rational beings, Humans are the only beings who “know that they know”

Free Will

“The power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility”, different from animal instinct

Ability to Love

Love of God and Love of neighbor are highest choices we can make

Vice

bad habit

Theological Virtues

the foundation for Christian moral activity, Faith, Hope, and Charity

Virtue

A habitual and firm disposition to do the good

Fredrick Buechner (writer & preacher)

Compared humanity to enormous spider web. If you touch one part, the whole web shakes

John Donne

“No man is an island”

Solidarity

Gives us the spirit of generosity with others, especially those most in need

Common Good

Requires that both individuals and societies respect the basic, inalienable rights of each human being, promote the social well-being and development of various social groups

Subsidiarity

a higher or larger unit of society should not do what a lower or smaller unit can do as well or better

Sin

An offense against God as well as a fault against reason, truth, and right conscience

Salvation

The forgiveness of sins and restoration of friendship with God, which can be done by God alone

Paschal Mystery

The saving love of God must fully revealed in the passion, death, resurrection of Jesus, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. It restores and elevates our relationship with God to the level of friendship

Prudence

Cardinal virtue that inclines the individual to discern a good, ethical and moral life and to choose the means to accomplish it

Discernment

A decision making process that attends to the implications and consequences of an action or choice. The Holy Spirit aids you in distinguishing between trials and temptations

Prudence

Right reason in action (think before you act)

Justice

Giving God and each person his or her due by right

Fortitude

Courage to persist in living a Christian life (spiritual courage)

Temperance

Moderation in controlling desires for physical pleasures (chill out)

S in STOP

Search out the Facts

T in STOP

Think about the alternatives and consequences

O in STOP

Others can help you to make good decisions

P in STOP

Pray

What

The moral object

Why

The intention

Who, When, where, how

The circumstances

Moral Objects

Some actions are objectively good; some are objectively bad

The Magisterium

the bishops and the pope are the living and teaching office of the church

Infallibility

a gift of the holy spirit which assures that the magisterium is from error on matters of faith and morals

3 choices/responses to a law

To obey

To ignore

To defy

Ability

God’s grace enables good decisions along with human talents, strengths, insights and deeds

Justification

God’s mercy. It bestows on us the theological virtues (faith, hope, love) that enable us to obey God’s will and to grow in holiness

Grace

The free and undeserved help that God gives you to respond to his supernatural call to become his adoptive sons and daughters, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life.

Sacramental Grace

Gifts proper to each sacrament

Sanctifying Grace

Habitual gift, a stable and supernatural disposition that perfects the soul itself to enable it to live with God, to act by his love

Actual Grace

God’s intervention your life, whether to help you initially convert from sinfulness to a life in Christ or to help you to continue to live as a Christian disciple

Sacrament: Baptism

Grace: To live as children of God

Sacrament: Eucharist

Grace: Forgives venial sins

Sacrament: Penance

Grace: A return to grace and union with God

Sacrament: Matrimony

Grace: To grow into a union of heart and soul and to continue life through children

Sacrament: Holy Orders

Grace: Grace to exercise powers

Sacrament: Anointing of the sick

Grace: United to the passion of Christ, acceptance

Sacrament: Confirmation

Grace: Strength and character

Merit

Another name for reward

Freedom

The power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility

Determinism

The belief that every event action and decision results from something independent of human will

External Freedom

Powers outside yourself that threaten your power to exercise choice: ex, tyranny, slavery, and poverty

Internal Freedom

Freedom from interior factors that limit choice: ex, fear and addiction

Moral Relativism

Any doctrine or belief that denies the existence of absolute, universal moral truths

Civil Law

Applies natural law to the members of a society. Civil law is morally good only in so far as it conforms to God’s eternal law, which is expressed in divinely revealed law.

Precepts of the Church

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor
2. You shall confess your sins at lease once a year
3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the easter season
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the church
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church

1st step of nonviolent campaign

Collection of facts to determine whether injustices exist

2nd step of nonviolent campaign

Negotiation

3rd step of nonviolent campaign

Self-purification

4th step of nonviolent campaign

Direct Action

St. Thomas Aquinas

“any law that uplifts people is just; any law that degrades people is unjust”

St. Augustine

“an unjust law is no law at all”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven

Those who realize their helplessness and total dependence on God

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted

Helps you to recognize those who are worse off; allows you to receive consolation

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land/earth

Not a sign of weakness; close to humility that reminds you to respect needs of others

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied

Craves and works tirelessly for God’s justice for others

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy

Encourages empathy; “forgive us our trespasses…”

Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will be with God

A pre-condition of the Beatific Vision; helps us to “see as God sees”

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God

Hebrew “shalom” - active, not passive; to build bridges not erect walls

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven

To stand up for what is right in the face of mockery, rejection, and persecution

Beatific Vision

The contemplation of God in heavenly glory; the source of our eternal happiness

Repentance

Greek term: “Metanoia” - turning away from sin with the intention of living a Christian life

Prudence

Helps apply moral principles to concrete cases

Justice

Respect the rights of all humans

Fortitude

Offers faith and courage to stand firm in convictions

Temperance

Involves moderation and fights greed, gluttony, and lust

Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity

Incredulity

A mebtal disposition that either neglects revealed truth or willfully refuses to accept it

Heresy

Obstinate denial or doubt by a baptized person of some truth about God and faith that must be believed

Apostasy

The total rejection of Jesus Christ (and the Christian Faith) by a baptized Catholic

Schism

Refusal to submit to the pope’s authority or to remain in union with members of the catholic Church

Discipleship

The mandate of all baptized Christians to follow Jesus and participate in his role as Priest, prophet, and king

Consecrated Life

Formal vow to dedicate themselves to evangelical counsels

Contemplative Orders

Orders of religious men or women that mainly include prayer

Apostolic Orders

Emphasizes active ministries like caring for the poor and sick, teaching or preaching