Objective Sources of Christian Morality PDF

OBJECTIVE SOURCES OF CHRISTIAN MORALITY Lesson 8 LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. DEMONSTRATE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE OBJECTIVE SOURCES OF MORALITY IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AS FOUND IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT 2. IDENTIFY MOMENTS IN THEIR LIVES WHEREIN THAT FAILED TO FOLLOW THE LAW, 3. WRI...

OBJECTIVE SOURCES OF CHRISTIAN MORALITY Lesson 8 LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. DEMONSTRATE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE OBJECTIVE SOURCES OF MORALITY IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AS FOUND IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT 2. IDENTIFY MOMENTS IN THEIR LIVES WHEREIN THAT FAILED TO FOLLOW THE LAW, 3. WRITE A PRAYER THAT RESOLVES TO LIVE FAITHFULLY TO GOD’S COMMANDMENTS BY ABIDING IN CHRIST Listening: 1. Are you aware that there are objective sources of morality? 2. Can you list from your memory some of the Ten Commandments? 3. Do you wish to be faithful to God’s commands? 4. What do you think are the most difficult commandments to observe from the Ten Commandments?  Consequences: 1. Divine punishment 2. Lost of Divine favor 3. Social disorder 4. Exile 5. Broken Relationship with God BIBLICAL TEXT EXUDOS 20:1-17 Significance: Core ethical and moral guidelines in Judeo-Christian traditions. Purpose: Provide a foundation for a righteous and just life. The Ten commandments 1. I am the LORD your God, You shall no other gods before me 2. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 3. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 4. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 5. You shall not murder. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. 1. "Youshall have no other gods before me." Emphasizes the importance of worshipping only one God and rejecting idolatry. 2. "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God." Encourages respect for the name of God and prohibits blasphemy. 3. "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." Calls for a day of rest and spiritual reflection each week. 4. "Honor your father and your mother." Highlights the importance of respecting and valuing one’s parents. 5. "You shall not murder." Prohibits the unlawful taking of another’s life. 6. "You shall not commit adultery." Stresses the importance of faithfulness in marriage. 7. "You shall not steal.“ Prohibits taking what does not belong to you without permission. 8. "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." Calls for honesty and integrity in speech, particularly in legal matters. 9. "You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Emphasizing the fidelity and sanctity of marriage 10. "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, or possessions." Warns against envy and desiring what belongs to others. Impact of the Ten Commandments 1. Influence on legal systems and moral codes. 2. Role in shaping ethical behavior in various cultures. 3. Reflection in modern laws and societal norms. Summary of the importance and relevance of the Ten Commandments. 1. Their role in guiding personal and communal conduct. 2. Encouragement to reflect on these principles in daily life. Augustine’ s teaching on Ten commandments 1. The Commandments and Love: Augustine emphasized that the Ten Commandments can be summarized by the principle of love. Augustine’ s teaching on Ten commandments 2. The Role of the Commandments in Christian Life: Augustine viewed the Commandments as guiding principles that reveal God's moral order. Augustine’ s teaching on Ten commandments Internalizing the Law: Augustine believed that the true observance of the Commandments involves internal transformation rather than mere external adherence. Augustine’ s teaching on Ten commandments Theological Interpretation: Augustine often interpreted the Commandments in a broader, theological context. Augustine’ s teaching on Ten commandments Grace and the Law: In Augustine’s view, while the Commandments are a guide, human beings need divine grace to fully live out their moral implications. Conclusion: Augustine’s teachings reflect a deep integration of the Ten Commandments with Christian doctrine, emphasizing that their true meaning is found in the love of God and neighbor and in the transformative power of divine grace.  The Commandment of Love in the New Testament: Source of our Christian Morality The commandment to love God and love of neighbor is central to Christian ethics and is found in multiple passages in the New Testament. This commandment emphasizes the importance of relationships and community, reflecting God's love in our interactions. ▪ Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). By loving others, we embody God's commands. ▪ Jn. 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are disciples, if you love one another. “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” Jn 8:31 Biblical text on the commandments of love 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 (INV) Biblical text on the commandments of love 33 My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you. 34 I give you a new commandment:* love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. 35 This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13: 33-35 The Greatest Commandments of Love ▪ The love of God ▪ The love of the neighbor ▪Loving God with all your soul … is the Greatest Commandment ▪ God is the source of love for he is love ▪ 1 John 4:8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ▪Love is at the heart of Christian life, Augustine Through the Ages, pg. 510). Love is the true test of Christianity. We receive God's love in our relationship with Him. We experience God's love in our relationships with others. Jesus taught us how to love ▪ Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ▪ John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ▪ John 3:16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  The symbolism of the cross of Jesus is love, life and relationship The horizontal beam represents your relationship with others Jn. 13:35 By this everyone How do we strengthen our relationship with one another? will know that you are disciples, if Mathew 25:35-40 you love one another. The vertical beam symbolizes our relationship with God https://corpuschristiphx.org/blog.php?month=202003&id=1461457306&cat=&pg=6&title=The+Vertical++and+Horizontal+Beamsretrieve from Corpus Christi October 3, 2024 Love according to St. Augustine ▪“My weight is my love. Wherever I am carried my love is carrying me.” Confs. 13.9.10 ▪The picture of St. Augustine depicts that man is attracted to what he/she loves; much as the earth’s gravity pulls toward it. Love is the fulfillment of the law ▪Thus, in whatever we place our love, to that we are drawn. If we place our love in Godly things, we will be drawn toward Godly things. If we place our love in earthly things, we are drawn toward earthly things.  St. Augustine's hierarchy of love 1. Love of God: This is the highest form of love. Augustine emphasizes that true happiness and fulfillment come from loving God above all else. This love is selfless and directed “You have made us for yourself, and towards the divine. our heart is restless until it rests in you” (Confessions, 1, 1, 1).  2. Love of Neighbor: St. Augustine's ▪This love stems from the love of God and involves genuine care and hierarchy of love concern for others. Augustine emphasizes that loving others is a manifestation of one’s love for God. ▪It is characterized by compassion, kindness, and service, etc. ▪"The City of God" (Book 14) Mt. 22:39 “Love your explores the nature of love for neighbor as others in light of divine love. yourself.” St. Augustine's hierarchy of love 3. Love of Self: Augustine teaches that a proper love of self is necessary, but it must be ordered towards God. It should involve recognizing one's dignity as Ephesians 5:29 - "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but created in God's image, nourishes and cherishes it, rather than being just as the Lord does the self-centered. church." St. Augustine's hierarchy of love 4. Love of Created Things 1 John 2:15-16 - "Do not This type of love refers to love the world or the things in the world. If anyone attachments to material loves the world, the love of and earthly things. the Father is not in him." Augustine warns against prioritizing these loves over the love of God, as they can lead to disordered desires and sin. https://shadowraeshares.weebly.com/blog/enjoying-go ds-beautiful-creation  Living Out the Commandments of Love A. Cultivating a Relationship with God to know the Truth Prayer and Worship: Make prayer a daily practice. Attend Mass regularly, participate in the sacraments, and engage in personal prayer to deepen your connection with God. Study Scripture: Regularly read and reflect on the Bible to understand God’s love and teachings. Consider joining a Bible study group to discuss insights and applications with others. Living Out the Commandments of Love B. Practicing Love for Neighbor, (the act of charity) Acts of Kindness: Look for opportunities to perform small acts of kindness, whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering at a local charity, or simply offering a listening ear to someone in need. Compassion and Empathy: Make an effort to understand others’ experiences and struggles. Approach every interaction with empathy, recognizing that everyone has their battles. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Love of neighbor also includes forgiving those who have wronged us. Jesus emphasizes this in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12), teaching that our own forgiveness is linked to our willingness to forgive others. Conclusion The commandment of love is central to our Catholic faith, emphasizing that love is an actionable commitment to God and our neighbors. Loving God fully deepens our relationship with Him, while loving our neighbors calls us to show compassion and recognize the dignity of all individuals. St. Augustine profoundly articulated that love for God must come first, and from that love flows our love for others. He taught that true love is ordered and selfless, reflecting God’s divine love for humanity. For Augustine, to love one’s neighbor is to see them through the lens of God’s love, which compels us to act with kindness and generosity. Embodying these commandments requires intentionality, encouraging us to serve others, practice forgiveness, and foster inclusive communities. By living out these principles daily, we not only fulfill Jesus' teachings but also reflect His love, contributing to a more compassionate and just world as true disciples of love, guided by the wisdom of St. Augustine in our journey of faith. Activity 8 1. How can we better love God and our neighbors in our daily interactions? 2. What are some practical ways we can live out these commandments in our community? 3. Lectio Divina on the Gospel of John 15:1-17