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