Saint Augustine on Church and Society (ASF 4) PDF

SAINT AUGUSTINE ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY (ASF 4) BS PSYCHOLOGY 2A | 2ND SEMESTER (FINALS) 🍀 MODULE 6: ON THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN Conception to Death PERSON We are pilgrims on the way who,...

SAINT AUGUSTINE ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY (ASF 4) BS PSYCHOLOGY 2A | 2ND SEMESTER (FINALS) 🍀 MODULE 6: ON THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN Conception to Death PERSON We are pilgrims on the way who, gradually through time, become our full selves. Nature of the Person V. Unique Yet Fundamentally Equal (CFC 682-92) Equality = Solidarity 1. Open and Relational Each of us is called to "image" God in a 2. Conscious Being unique way 3. Embodied Spirit 4. Historical Realities 5. Unique Yet Fundamentally Equal Person in Christ In Christ and through Christ, we have acquired I. Open and Relational full awareness of our dignity, of the heights to We need the world in order to live, to which we are raised, of the surpassing worth of eat, to be clothed, and to have shelter. our humanity, and of the meaning of our We grow into our full selves as a person existence" only in relating with others. By his incarnation, the Son of God-Jesus has united himself in some fashion with every person Being a person means: ( cf. GS 12) - Being by others - Being with others 1. Created in God's image and likeness - Being for others 2. Redeemed by the blood of Christ 3. Sanctified in the dwelling Holy Spirit II. Conscious Beings 4. Called to be children of God Aware of themselves in their outgoing 5. Destined for eternal life acts. Possess self-awareness through our The Human Person As The Imago Dei knowing and free will. Church Teaching: every person- the living image of God himself. Endowed with: Sacred Scripture - every human person is a - Intelligence creature of God, his being in the image of God is - Will and Power the element that characterizes and distinguishes - Capable of knowing and loving his Creator him from other creatures: "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created III. Embodied spirit him; male and female he created them" (Gen Body + Soul 1:27). The body is an organized matter Man (in Hebrew, "adam") is formed from the The essential part of our being human earth ("adamah") and God blows into his nostrils Not merely an instrument we use the breath of life. according to our whims Jesus dignified the body through his Therefore, being in the image of God the human incarnation individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not Soul-immaterial reality just something, but someone. Temple of the Holy Spirit All of social life is an expression of its Man is a spiritualized body or an incarnate spirit unmistakable protagonist: the human person. All our relationships with others and with God are The human person always remains the subject, expressed through our bodies, which are the "natural foundation, and goal of social life. sacrament" of our spiritual depth. Hence, the origin of social life is therefore found in the human person, and society cannot refuse IV. Historical Realities to recognize its active and responsible subject; 1 SAINT AUGUSTINE ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY (ASF 4) BS PSYCHOLOGY 2A | 2ND SEMESTER (FINALS) 🍀 Every expression of society must be directed towards the human person. Why Does Everyone Have The Right To Exercise Freedom? Manifestation of Man as an "Imago Dei" - Belongs to everyone a. Capacity for self-knowledge, - It is inseparable from his or her dignity as a b. Capacity for self-possession human person. c. Capacity of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons Therefore, this is right... d. Called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, a. Must always be respected, especially in moral to offer him a response of faith and love that no and religious matters, other creature can give in his stead" b. Must be recognized and protected by civil authority within the limits of the common good Freedom and Truth and a just public order. Freedom in its essence is within man Connatural to the human person Freedom Distinctive sign of man's nature. not merely a right that one claims for oneself; but also, The freedom of the individual finds its basis in a duty that one undertakes with regard to others. man's transcendent dignity it is really to serve peace, and the freedom of each human individual, and each community This Likeness Of Man With God Shows: must respect the freedoms and rights of other That the essence and existence of man are individuals and communities. This respect sets a constitutively related to God in the most limit to freedom... profound manner. That relationship between God and man is In the exercise of their freedom… reflected in the relational and social dimensions Men and women perform morally good acts that are of human nature. constructive for the person and for society when they are Man is free because he possesses the faculty of obedient to the truth, that is, when they do not presume self-determination with regard to what is true to be the creators and absolute masters of truth or of and what is good. ethical norms What is Freedom Freedom is the power given by God to act or not to act, to do this or to do that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. 2 SAINT AUGUSTINE ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY (ASF 4) BS PSYCHOLOGY 2A | 2ND SEMESTER (FINALS) 🍀 “If economic activity is to have a moral character, it must be directed to all men and to all peoples.” Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 65: AAS 58 MODULE 7: THE ECONOMY AND POLITICAL (1966), 1086-1087. LIFE UNIVERSAL DESTINATION OF GOODS ANG SIMBAHAN AT PULITIKA SUMMARY “God destined the earth and all it contains for all people so that "Asin ng Lupa: Simbahan at Pulitika" explores the all created things would be shared fairly by all mankind under problems within the church, the changes in liturgy after the guidance of justice tempered by charity.” (G.S. #69) the Second Vatican Council, the church's involvement in The Universal Right to Use the Goods of the politics, and the impact of the church and politics in the Earth is based on the principle of universal Philippines. It discusses the role of Radio Veritas during destination of goods. the EDSA Revolution, the efforts of the Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting in combating vote-buying and "Year of Jubilee" corruption, and the church's commitment to serving Leviticus 25:8-10 individuals' spiritual and temporal needs. The video "In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years, highlights the church's willingness to cooperate and seven sets of seven years, adding up to forty-nine years participate in various development programs, aiming to in all. 9 Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year, liberate people from poverty, corruption, exploitation, and blow the ram's horn loud and long - throughout the land. injustice. 10 Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there." BIBLICAL ASPECTS FOR ECONOMIC LIFE a. Man, Poverty, and Riches Main features of Jubilee Year - In Wisdom Literature, poverty is The Year of Jubilee. Laindon. November 10. 2010 described as a negative consequence v9 - Trumpet sounded on 10th day of 7th month of idleness and of a lack of v10 - Liberty proclaimed industriousness. - Men return to the possession - “A slack hand brings poverty, but the - Men return to families hand of the diligent brings wealth.” ( v11 - no sowing or reaping Prov. 10:4) v14-16 - Buying & selling is based on time up to This tradition, however, although looking upon Jubilee the poverty of the oppressed, the weak, and the v23 - Land not to be sold for good (cutting off) - indigent as evil, also sees in the condition of land God's - they were strangers poverty a symbol of the human situation before v24-28 - land can be redeemed - otherwise God, from whom comes every good as a gift to returns to the owner at Jubilee be administered and shared. In this perspective, the “rich man” is the one The Right to Private Property who places his trust in his possessions rather By means of work and making use of the gifts of than in God, he is the man who makes himself intelligence, people are able to exercise strong by the works of his own hands and trusts dominion over the earth and make it a fitting only in his own strength. home. MORALITY AND THE ECONOMY The Value of Private Property The moral dimension of the economy shows that 1. Extension of human freedom; economic efficiency and the promotion of human 2. Constitutes one of the conditions for civil liberty; development in solidarity are not two separate or 3. Essential element of an authentically social and alternative aims but one indivisible goal.” John democratic economic policy; Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 40: 4. Guarantee of correct social order. AAS 80 (1988), 568-569. 3 SAINT AUGUSTINE ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY (ASF 4) BS PSYCHOLOGY 2A | 2ND SEMESTER (FINALS) 🍀 The right to private property is subordinate to the information and means of globalization have a right to common use, to the fact that goods are greater chance to harvest its fruits. The Church meant for everyone. calls for “globalization w/o marginalization” Wealth exists to be shared! - goods, even legitimately owned, always The eroding cultures, traditional families, and social have a universal destination; any type of values. It deprives people of their own language and way improper accumulation is immoral of living. “Cultural globalization” because it openly contradicts the universal destination assigned to all MATERIALISM/CONSUMERISM goods of the CREATOR. - What a person wants not what he needs - “For the love of money is the root of all - Physical matter is the only fundamental reality evils; it is through this craving that some - “kabuhi nasandig lamang sa mga pagkabutang have wandered away from faith.” (1 Tim nga kalibutanon” 6:10) - ang pagpamakal sang mga naluyagan nga mga - Businesses should serve the common butang bisan indi gid man kinahanglanon. good of society through the production of useful goods and services INDIVIDUALISM - “I will not run anyone’s life—nor let anyone run GLOBALIZATION mine. I will not rule nor be ruled. I will not be a The increased interconnectedness of all peoples on the face of master nor a slave. I will not sacrifice myself to the earth. anyone—nor sacrifice anyone to myself.” People can easily connect, more rapidly and - ang sistema nga nagatudlo sang cheaply than ever travel and communicate with pagkamaiya-iyahon, kag indi dapat each other, and export/ import not only magpahilabot sa iban. consumer goods but values, ideas, and even culture. HEDONISM Globalization gradually destroys the barriers - Pleasure or happiness is the highest good between nations so that the whole world slowly - nagatudlo nga ang katuyuan sang kabuhi amo becomes one big community. ang pagpangalipay lamang kag dapat likawan ang mga kabudlayan. Positive Effects of Globalization a. The possibility of a more interconnected world RELATIVISM/SUBJECTIVISM due to advancement in communication and - “That’s true for you but not for me” transportation technology; a realization of a - ang sistema nga nagatudlo sa aton nga ang genuine one-world-human family. Because of kamatuoran ara lamang sa akon kag wala sa this, greater human knowledge and human iban. solidarity become more attainable. b. Globalization offers opportunities for a richer and ATHEISM fuller life. It presents greater opportunities for - lack of belief in God or active disbelief in God human development brought about by greater - ang sistema nga nagatudlo sa aton nga access to vast amounts of information and the magpangabuhi nga wala nagakinahanglan sa shrinking distance Dios. Negative Effects Of Globalization a. Disregard of the dignity of the human person. ST. AUGUSTINE’S TEACHINGS “The kingdoms without justice is the only business of Economic globalization puts so much emphasis brigandage.” on economic profit and defines the human (Saint Augustine on Economics) person as a consumer. Based on the article written by Craig Sanders b. The widening gap between the rich and the (2021), titled “Why St. Augustine's View of poor. Those who have greater access to Wealth Is Still Important? Augustine, a 4 SAINT AUGUSTINE ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY (ASF 4) BS PSYCHOLOGY 2A | 2ND SEMESTER (FINALS) 🍀 fifth-century church father, cautioned against greed in a similar way, noting how our St. Augustine on the Preferential Option for the Poor aspirations for worldly possessions may prevent God does not demand much of you. He asks our hearts from reaching God. back what he gave you, and from him you take The early church's concentration on taking what is enough for you. The superfluities of the Jesus' teachings about money seriously is an rich are the necessities of the poor. When you intriguing feature. Jesus states, "It is easier for a possess superfluities, you possess what belongs camel to walk through the eye of a needle than to others. for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God," Here we can see Bishop Augustine's continual the church fathers emphasized the difficulties of worry about the poorest of his community. He having many earthly goods without loving them even reached the point of selling the sacred too much (Mt. 19:24),(Sanders, 2021). goblets (drinking vessels) in order to help them and would constantly intercede for them. Augustine discovered a method to reconcile the As a "beggar for the beggars", Augustine gospel's calls for prosperity with the dominant would almost always include the same words at ideologies of his day. the end of his homilies: "Give to the poor", "think He based much of his economic imperatives on of the poor", and "Give to the poor what you Jesus' teachings, "For where your treasure is, have gathered". there your heart will be too." Augustine is typically described as emphasizing the spiritual BIBLICAL ASPECTS FOR POLITICAL LIFE over the material, but what matters here is how Submission, not passive but “for the sake of he emphasizes the importance of spiritual conscience” (Rom 13:5), to legitimate authority, prosperity above worldly wealth. responds to the order established by God. For Augustine, the human heart had a spiritual Saint Paul defines the relationships and duties gravity, which meant that its everlasting fate that a Christian has towards the authorities (cf. was linked to whatever it loved the most. Rom 13:1-7). He insists on the civic duty to pay If the heart was set on perishable things and the taxes: “Pay all of them their dues, taxes to desire was misplaced on worldly treasures, the whom taxes are due, revenue to whom heart was set to perish with perishable revenue is due, fear to whom fear is due, things. respect to who respect is due” (Rom 13:7) If one sought God, one's heart would soar above material attachments and be rewarded eternally THE FOUNDATION OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY in paradise. The Church has always considered different Carrying too many belongings on the worldly trip ways of understanding authority, taking care to is a result of being "weighed down by greed," defend and propose a model of authority that is which Augustine characterized as founded on the social nature of the person. "uncleanness of heart" (Sermon 177). “Since God made men social by nature, and "Nothing that you have loved can be taken away since no society can hold together unless from this world; all that remains is the vice of someone is overall, directing all to strive having loved it.” earnestly for the common good, every civilized "If we must be avaricious, let us adore him." If community must have a ruling authority, and this we want riches, we should desire him. He alone authority, no less than society itself, has its will be able to fulfill us, as it is said, Who source in nature, and has, consequently, God for satisfies your desire with pleasant things (Ps its author” (John XXIII, Encyclical Letter Pacem in 103:5).... So take your heart up, don't leave it Terris: AAS 55 (1963). on the ground, in beggarly possessions, or Political authority is therefore necessary in a place to decay. Avarice was the source of because of the responsibilities assigned to it. all ills in Adam as well. Because God had not Political authority is and must be a positive and been enough for him, he desired more than he irreplaceable component of civil life. (Cf. had received.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1897) 5 SAINT AUGUSTINE ON CHURCH AND SOCIETY (ASF 4) BS PSYCHOLOGY 2A | 2ND SEMESTER (FINALS) 🍀 Political authority, in fact, “whether in the community as such or in institutions representing the State, must always be exercised within the limits of morality and on behalf of the dynamically conceived common good, according to a juridical order enjoying legal status. When such is the case citizens are conscience-bound to obey”. (Gaudium et Spes, 74). “Where there is no justice, there is no republic” - Saint Augustine on Politics 6