Anthony Lopez Theology 115, Christian Moral Principles April 16, 2013 Catechism of the Catholic Ch rch !

mmary

Life in Christ: 16"1# All Christians are the $o%y of Christ o r hea%, an% thro gh Christ Christians are calle% to in no more& 16"2# 'y the se of sacraments, Christians are a$le to parta(e in the %i)ine nat re of *o%& !ince Christians parta(e in this, they are calle% to lea% a life +orthy of $eing calle% the Chil%ren of *o% 16"3# Christ ,es s al+ays o$eye% the -ather. therefore Christ/s %isciples are calle% to also o$ey the -ather& 16"0# Thro gh 'aptism Christians $ecome %ea% to their ol% +ay of sin an% ali)e to the ne+ +ay of the 1isen Lor%& 'y follo+ing this ne+ +ay, Christians can stri)e to $e tr e Chil%ren of *o% $y imitating the lo)e of *o%& 16"5# Christians, thro gh ,es s/ sa)ing po+er, ha)e $een ena$le% to $ecome a temple of the 2oly !pirit& 3t is thro gh this that Christians are a$le to (no+ ho+ to tal( to the -ather an% are a$le to li)e as chil%ren of light& 16"6# 3t is only thro gh Christ that a person can tr ly come into life. any other +ay +o l% lea% to nothing $ t %eath& 16"4# 1eal catechesis has a nee% to come in many forms so as to n%erstan% +hat is $eing re)eale%& These forms are of the 2oly !pirit, of grace, of the $eatit %es, of sin an% forgi)eness, of the h man )irt es, of the Christian )irt es, of the t+ofol% comman%ment of charity, an% one that is ecclesial& 16"5# 3n catechesis the $eginning an% en% is al+ays in reference to Christ ,es s, for it is thro gh Christ that tr e life is present&

Dignity of the Human Person: 16""# The life in the 2oly !pirit has three main fig res to it# it completes the p rpose of man, it is ma%e p of $oth h man an% %i)ine characteristics, an% it is gi)en to man(in% for their re%emption& 1400# The %ignity of the h man person is )ery important, for it is ma%e $y *o% to $e li(e *o% an% it is complete% thro gh *o%/s calling of s to 2im& 2 mans, thro gh their o+n

%ecisions an% actions, choose to either follo+ or %isregar% the goo% that is presente% $y *o%& 6ith that, h mans are a$le to gro+ interiorly on their o+n, $ t it is thro gh the grace of *o% that h mans can gro+ in )irt e an% a)oi% %oing e)il& 1401# Christ, +ho is the re)elation of *o% the -ather himself to h manity, ma(es h mans a$le to $ecome tr ly themsel)es, an% 2e $rings forth +hat the calling of each person is& 1402# The image of *o% the -ather is present in all of h manity& 1403# 7ach h man person is gi)en, from the moment of conception, an eternal an% spirit al so l& 1400# 7ach h man $eing shares in the comm nion of the 2oly !pirit, an% $y their free +ill they are a$le an% calle% to %irect themsel)es to+ar% the greater goo%& 1405# 2 mans are grante% free%om $y the )irt e of their o+n so l an% po+ers of intellect an% +ill& 1406# Thro gh reason, an% the a$ility to recognize *o%/s )oice, a h man can attempt to a)oi% all e)ils of the +orl% an% attempt to achie)e all goo%& 1404# -rom the $eginning of time, h manity has $een tempte% $y !atan an% has committe% e)il %ee%s& 1405# The only +ay that h manity +as free from the snares of the %e)il +as $y the Passion of ,es s Christ& 140"# 'y $elie)ing that Christ is +ho 2e sai% 2e +as h manity +as gi)en the chance to $ecome chil%ren of *o%& 3n this, h man $eings are calle% to follo+ Christ/s e8ample an% stri)e for perfection& 1410# Christ f lly $rings h manity to themsel)es, sho+ing them their tr e calling to+ar%s *o%& 1411# -rom a h man/s conception, they are grante% $y *o% a so l, an intellect, an% free +ill& These allo+ h mans to not only see( tr th, $ t also to come to lo)e the tr th& 1412# The tr e free%om of a h man $eing is the o t+ar% appearance of *o%/s o+n image& 1413# 3n h man/s tr e nat re, he is calle% to follo+ the moral la+ of %oing +hat is 9 st an% goo% an% a)oi%ing +hat is +rong an% e)il& 1410# Thro gh the fall of h manity, each h man is, $y nat re, s $9ect to the temptations an% e)ils of the +orl%& 1415# Those +ho tr ly $elie)e in ,es s Christ can $e sa)e% thro gh the 2oly !pirit&

Our Vocation to Beatitude:

1416# The most central of the teachings of ,es s +as the 'eatit %es, for they f lfille% the promises of *o% to 2is people& The 'eatit %es are foc s on e8plaining that those +ho act a certain +ay, an% follo+ *o%, are $lesse% in%ee%& 1414# The 'eatit %es portray the tr e )ocation of the +hole of h manity. to act in a manner of that portrays the Passion an% 1es rrection of ,es s Christ& 1415# The reason +hy the 'eatit %es +ere so critical in ,es s/ teachings +as $eca se they respon% to the %eep %esire of people for tr e happiness& 141"# 7ach 'eatit %e refers to the en% hope for all people. to $ecome part of *o%/s eternal happiness +hich is hea)en& 1420# 3n the :e+ Testament there are a fe+ %ifferent metaphors as to +hat is meant $y *o%/s $eatit %e that h mans are calle% to+ar%& These are the coming of the ;ing%om of *o%, the )ision of *o%, entering into the 9oy of the Lor%, an% entering into *o%/s rest& 1421# The p rpose of all h manity is to come into comm nion +ith *o%& To accomplish this, h mans m st connect +ith *o%/s $eatit %e& 1422# The $eatit %e of *o% is something that is not a$le to $e f lly comprehen% $y h man $eings alone. this n%erstan%ing is a free gift from *o% himself& 1423# The $eatit %e of *o% is a calling to p rify oneself an% their heart, an% to lo)e *o% $efore lo)ing anything else& 1420# All of the teachings an% la+s in the 'i$le, the :e+ an% the <l% Testament, are all meant for the p rpose of lea%ing people to the ;ing%om of *o%& 1425# The 'eatit %es are *o%/s promises to 2is people that lea% the people to+ar%s the ;ing%om of *o%& 1426# To $e immerse% into the final en% +ith *o%, h mans m st n%erstan% an% follo+ the 'eatit %es& 1424# The $eatit %e of *o% is a freely gi)en gift from *o% himself. a gift of grace to each an% e)ery person +ho chooses to follo+ them& 1425# 6hen follo+ing the 'eatit %es, h mans enco nter many %ecisions that co l% either p rify their heart or %estroy it& 142"# The hea)enly $eatit %e is a stan%ar% for +hich one can %iscern +hether something is intrinsically goo% or not&

Mans Freedom: 1430# 2 mans are $eing that are rational. they are a$le to control their actions thro gh means of themsel)es&

1431# -ree%om is a gift that is $ase% on the reason an% +ill of h man $eings to +here they are a$le to act of their o+n accor%& 1432# There is the possi$ility, an% a high possi$ility at that, that a person can ha)e the free%om to choose $et+een goo% an% e)il& 1433# Tr e free%om %oes not mean that someone has a$sol te choice o)er +hat can $e chosen, $ t tr e free%om is +hen one has contin ally chosen goo%, freeing themsel)es all the more each time they choose goo%& 1430# 3f an% +hen free%om is %one )ol ntarily, it ma(es h man $eings ha)e a sort of responsi$ility for +hate)er act has $een %one& 1435# The %iminishment or %eletion of the responsi$ility of actions can come from things li(e psychological an% social factors an% from other things li(e ignorance of facts& 1436# Any an% e)ery act of a person that is %irectly +ille% $y their o+n free%om is attri$ te% to the ma(er of the act& 1434# Any $a% effect not +ille% $y a person is not attri$ te% to the person +ho recei)es the effect& 1435# The relationship $et+een all people is the main +ay that each person/s free%om is se%& This is $y each person at least $eing realize% as a free $eing create% $y *o%& 143"# !ince h mans are not *o%, there is no limitlessness to their free%om. they +ill not al+ays $e perfect an% %o goo%& This is +here sin comes in, for the a$sence of freely choosing goo%, is the freely choosing of e)il& 1400# -ree%om is no the a$ility to %o as one 9 st simply pleases. it is act ally a )iolation of one/s o+n free%om to go against goo% an% choose e)il& 1401# -or h manity to $e tr ly free% in this +orl%, *o% sent Christ to sacrifice himself to re%eem an% free the +orl% from %eath& 1402# Christ/s grace he ga)e to the +orl% is not an impe%iment pon each person/s free%om, $ t a li$eration from any impe%iment on each person/s free%om in this +orl%& 1403# Thro gh *o%/s (in%ness 2e allo+e% h mans to %irect themsel)es thro gh means of their o+n co ncil& 1400# Tho gh free%om is the a$ility to %o or not %o something, it is really perfect free%om +hen %one for an% +ith *o%& 1405# -ree%om, +hen %one +illf lly, is an act that creates responsi$ility +ithin the %oer of the %ee%& 1406# There are +ays for the responsi$ility of an act to $e lightene% or lost, incl %ing things li(e ignorance, % ress, an% fear&

1404# The free%om to e8ercise oneself in a sit ation %oes not incl %e %oing simply as one pleases, $ t it %oes incl %e the respect of other/s free%om& 1405# Christ came to sa)e h manity from sin an% %eath, an% $y %oing so he restore% tr e free%om to h manity& The Morality of Human cts: 140"# 6hen a h man $eing ses free%om, they are ma%e into a moral s $9ect, th s meaning that all intentional acts %one $y that person are applica$le to $eing morally e)al ate%& 1450# There are three aspects to the morality of each h man act# the o$9ect that is chosen, the intention of +hat is %esire%, an% the s rro n%ing circ mstances of the action& 1451# The o$9ect of the action is the goo% that is %esire%& 1452# The intention is part of the acting s $9ect, meaning that it is fo n% in the )ol ntary area of the action itself, to +hich it %etermines its o+n en%& 1453# , st $eca se an intention is goo%, it %oes not 9 stify the act to $e +hole goo%, for the +ay of %oing things are ne)er 9 stifie% $y the en% res lts& 1450# The circ mstances are more along the lines of after+ar% conse= ences& These circ mstances help to e)al ate the goo%ness or e)ilness of an act, either $y these conse= ences increasing or %ecreasing the amo nt of goo% something is& 1455# -or an act to $e +holly an% morally goo%, all of the so rces of morality m st $e goo%& That means that if the o$9ect, the intention, or the circ mstances are e)il, then the act +ill $e e)il& 1456# 3t is +rong for an act to $e 9 %ge% solely on one or t+o so rces. all three so rces m st $e consi%ere% $efore %eci%ing if something is e)il or goo%& 1454# There are three types of so rces to+ar%s %iscerning the morality of an act# the o$9ect, the intention, an% the circ mstance& 1455# The o$9ect that is chosen can morally specify +hether an act is goo% or e)il accor%ing to the reason that it is recognize% $y& 145"# An intention, no matter the goo%ness of it, can ne)er %etermine an act to $e goo% if the act itself is e)il& 1460# -or any act to $e %eeme% morally goo%, the o$9ect, intention, an% circ mstances m st all $e goo%& 1461# There are many acts that are intrinsically e)il, that is to say they can ne)er $e 9 stifie% as a goo% %ee%, e)er&

The Morality of the Passions:

1462# 'y a person/s intentional %ee%s they may $e ma%e to $eatit %e, +ith $oth their feelings an% passions gi)ing them a %isposition to+ar% the $eatit %e& 1463# Passions are emotions that gi)e s an inclination to either %o or to not %o something $eca se of a +ay that goo% is imagine% or felt& 1460# These passions are nat ral to the h man $o%y. they are li(e the %oor+ay $et+een the senses an% the min%& 1465# < t of the many passions that there are in a h man, the main one is lo)e& This is $eca se lo)e is the %esire for an a$sent goo% an% it inclines a sort of hope that the goo% can $e achie)e%& 1466# Lo)ing someone is the same thing as %esiring the a$sol te goo% of that sai% person& 6ith this, it ma(es sense that all that is lo)e% is the goo%, an% only the goo%& 1464# <n their o+n, passions are intrinsically ne tral, for they are moral only in the sense that they are engaging in the reason an% +ill& 1465# , st $eca se someone has strong feelings it %oesn/t ma(e them a goo% or a $a% person& 3t is the act $eing goo% or e)il that ma(es the passions either goo% or e)il 146"# The 2oly !pirit accomplishes all that he sets o t to %o $y +or(ing thro gho t the +hole $eing, incl %ing all the passions of the person& 1440# -or a h man $eing to attain moral perfection, they are to mo)e their +hole $eing, passions an% all, to+ar%s the goo% of the +hole& 1441# Passions are affections that int it +hether something co l% potentially $e goo% or e)il& 1442# The main passions of the h man $eing are lo)e, hatre%, fear, %esire, 9oy, sa%ness, an% anger& 1443# 3n passions, there is no initial intrinsic morality of goo% or e)il& 3nstea%, it is the acts of the h man $eing that ma(e the passions goo% or e)il& 1440# 7motions can $e transforme% in a person %epen%ing pon +hether there are )irt es or )ices in place& 1445# 3t is only thro gh a h man/s total mo)e to+ar%s the goo%, +hich incl %es the heart, that they may $ecome perfect&

Moral Conscience: 1446# >eep +ithin each person/s conscience a la+ can $e fo n%. one that is not create% $y them, $ t it is one that still m st $e follo+e%& 1444# The moral conscience helps a person, at a partic lar moment, to %eci%e +hether something is goo% or e)il&

1445# The conscience is the part of the h man +here reason 9 %ges the morality of all actions, no matter the stat s of completion& 144"# A person m st $e present to themsel)es so as to $e a$le to se their conscience f lly an% act pon it& 1450# -or %ignity of the h man person to $e f lly a%here% to, each person m st a%here to the goo%ness of the moral conscience& 1451# 'y f lly participating in the se of one/s conscience, a person can f lly ta(e pon themsel)es the responsi$ility of the action they performe%& 1452# All h man $eing ha)e the right to $e free an% to se their conscience. so long as it is %one in the aspiration of ma(ing goo% an% moral %ecisions& 1453# -or a person to ha)e a +ell?forme% conscience, it m st $e informe% in +hat is tr e an% goo%& This nee%s to $e %one so that temptations can $e resiste%& 1450# The e% cation of one/s conscience is a ne)er en%ing $attle, yet it is nonetheless a re+ar%ing e8perience& 1455# The 6or% of *o% is the goo% that forms a conscience for the $etter& Also, the Lor%/s Cross is a remin%er to h man $eings to e8amine their conscience& 1456# There are only t+o o tcomes in a moral choice +hen sing a person/s conscience# it is either a goo% %ee%, +hich is ma%e alongsi%e the %i)ine la+, or a $a% %ee%, +hich is ma%e in opposition to the %i)ine la+& 1454# There are times +hen h mans are met +ith a more %iffic lt moral conflict& :o matter the case, one m st al+ays serio sly %iscern the goo% an% e)il in the conflict& 1455# To f lly %o a person/s % ty to their o+n conscience, they m st stri)e to al+ays %o their $est in interpreting the sit ation as to +hat is goo% or e)il& 145"# There are three r les that apply to e)ery conflict of morals +ithin the conscience# the en%s may ne)er 9 stify the means, %o nto others as yo +ant to $e %one nto, an% to sin against a h man $eing is to sin against Christ& 14"0# To go against a certain conscience is to sentence oneself to con%emnation& There is the case, ho+e)er, that the conscience may $e in a state of ignorance& 14"1# The ignorance of the conscience can $e the responsi$ility of the person, yet this only occ rs +hen the person ta(es no gi)en opport nity to realize the morality of the action& 14"2# There are many so rces of +rongs in the %iscernment of the morality of $eha)ior& The main one of these is the ignorance of Christ 2imself an% 2is *ospel& 14"3# The responsi$ility of a +ronge% %ecision can $e not the fa lt of a person if the ignorance of the sai% person is in)inci$le, or not of their o+n %oing& 14"0# -or a conscience to $ecome f lly goo%, it m st $e to che% $y tr e faith&

14"5# The conscience is the place +here *o% spea(s to h man $eings, an% it is +here the h man $eing is most secl %e% form the o tsi%e +orl%& 14"6# Conscience is the %iscernment of the morality of a %ee% thro gh means of reason& 14"4# Any time a person commits any e)il %ee%, the conscience of the person is one of a %esire for con)ersion& 14"5# -or a conscience to $e +ell?forme%, it m st follo+ all that is goo% an% tr e& To %o this, one m st $e al+ays forming their conscience for the goo%& 14""# 6hen a choice of morality comes forth, the conscience can either ma(e a goo% %ecision or an e)il %ecision& 1500# :o matter +hat occ rs, a h man $eing m st follo+ a s re conscience& 1501# A conscience can ma(e a +rong %ecision or $e ignorant to the tr th, $ t these are not al+ays innocent, they can g ilty %ee%s& 1502# 'y follo+ing the 6or% of *o%, a person/s conscience may $ecome +ell?forme%&

The Virtues: 1503# @irt e is something that is create% thro gh the repetition an% the %esire to %o goo%& Also, )irt e is +hat allo+s a person to contin e on the path to+ar%s choosing goo%& 1500# The h man )irt es are those )irt es that are create% in a person thro gh the %esire to %o goo% an% thro gh act ally %oing the goo% $y h man effort& 1505# There are h man )irt es, also (no+n as car%inal )irt es# pr %ence, 9 stice, fortit %e, an% temperance& 1506# Pr %ence is the )irt e that allo+s h man $eings to fin% the tr e goo% in each an% e)ery %ecision& Also it is pr %ence that allo+s h man $eing to choose the right +ay to go a$o t gain the %esire% goo%& Pr %ence g i%es the other )irt es $y setting a stan%ar% of meas ring ho+ to achie)e goo% +ith those )irt es& 1504# , stice is the )irt e +here a person gi)es their % e to *o% an% all others& 3t is in 9 stice that a person can respect the right an% the %ignity of their fello+ people& 1505# -ortit %e is the )irt e +here a person has a firm %isposition to o)ercome %iffic lt har%ships in the p rs it of tr e goo%& Also, fortit %e helps to strengthen a person in times of temptation an% fear& 150"# Temperance is the )irt e of mo%eration. it mo%erates h man %esires an% $alances the se of all create% goo%s& 3t is in temperance that a person can control their instinct al $eha)iors an% ses them for the goo%&

Mercy and !in: 1506# 3n the *ospel, *o% sho+s all of h manity, +ho are sinners, his infinite mercy& This mercy is sho+n thro gh an% $y the re)elation of ,es s Christ to all of h manity&& 1504# Tho gh *o% create% h man $eing on 2is o+n accor%, 2e %i% not sa)e h man $eings +itho t them& To $e sa)e%, a h man $eing m st a%mit +hat they ha)e %one +rong an% then they shall $e sa)e%& 1505# -or the grace of *o%/s mercy to +or( insi%e of a person, the person m st $e free% from sin an% ha)e a con)ersion of heart& 150"# !in is an offense against the +hole of a h man $eing. it goes against +hat is intrinsically right& Also, it +o n%s the tr e nat re of +hat it is to $e a h man $eing& 1550# 7)en more, sin is an offense to+ar%s the Creator an% the 1e%eemer of h manity, th s offen%ing the only persons that tr ly lo)e% an% care% for all of h manity& 1551# 7)en in the Passion, sin is ma%e (no+n& This is $eca se +hile ,es s ga)e 2imself for s, 2e ha% to en% re pain, s ffering, %eath, the n$elief of 2is follo+ers, an% the sin of all others hatre% to+ar%s 2im& Aet, it is precisely in these sins that ,es s +as f lly a$le to gi)e 2imself as a sacrifice for the +hole of h manity& 1552# There are many (in%s an% forms of sin present in the !cript re, an% e)en more that ha)e $een implicitly fo n% o t from +ithin the Ch rch& 1553# A sin can $e realize% thro gh many means, li(e that of the o$9ect %esire% or thro gh opposition to )irt es& There are also many classifications an% s $?gro pings to sin that present the le)el of e)ilness that is present& 1550# There are t+o main %istinctions in sins# mortal an% )enial& These t+o %istinctions are recognize% $y the gra)ity of the sins itself& 1555# Mortal sin is the gra)er of the t+o types, for it not only gra)ely )iolates *o%/s la+, $ t also it t rns the c lprit a+ay from *o%& @enial sin is a less serio s sin, yet it still +o n%s the relationship $et+een a person an% *o%& 1556# Mortal sin %estroys charity an%, in ret rn, is in nee% of a ne+ con)ersion of heart to+ar%s *o%& This ne+ con)ersion of heart can normally $e achie)e% thro gh the sacrament of 1econciliation& 1554# -or any sin to $e consi%ere% mortal is m st ha)e an o$9ect that is of a gra)e matter, it m st $e f lly (no+n that it is of a gra)e matter, an% it m st $e +ille% $y the person thro gh their o+n consent& 1555# -or a sin/s o$9ect to $e consi%ere% one of gra)e matter, it m st %efy one of the Ten Comman%ments& Also, it is to $e note% that some sins are more intrinsically gra)e than others&

155"# -or a sin to $e mortal it m st $e $oth f lly (no+n an% completely +ille% of one/s o+n consent& This means that the person m st $oth (no+n +hat they are %oing is a gra)e sin an% still %o it any+ays& 1560# <ne +ay that the gra)eness of a sin can $e lightene% or e)en remo)e%, is $y nintentional ignorance& Tho gh this is tr e, no person can $e ignorant of the moral la+s +hich are +ritten on their conscience& 1561# Mortal sin is something that is act ally )ery easy to commit an% it has %ire conse= ences, li(e the a$sence of charity& 'y not repente% from, the gra)ity of the sin can $ecome e8cl %e% from the ;ing%om of *o%& 1562# <ne commits )enial sin $y not follo+ing the stan%ar%s of the moral la+ on o r conscience& 1563# @enial sin %oes not %estroy charity li(e mortal sin, $ t it %oes +ea(en it& The contin ation of )enial sins can lea% to+ar%s committing mortal sin in the long r n& 1560# :o matter the sin, as long as one repents their sins shall $e forgi)en thro gh *o%/s mercy, $ t those +ho %o accept the mercy of *o% shall not $e forgi)en&

The Proliferation of !in: 1565# The more that someone sin, the more that person is incline% to sin again& This can $e sai% $oth thro gh repetition of the same sin, or thro gh the inclination to %o a gra)er sin& 1566# The classification of sins can $e organize% $y the +ay that they oppose the %ifferent )irt es& @ices are also consi%ere% as capital sins $eca se they incline a person to other sins& 1564# There are some times things that are recognize% as Bsins that cry to hea)en&C 1565# !ince sin is at the personal le)el, it ma(es sense that people share in the responsi$ility of sin if they someho+ parta(e in the sin itself& This can occ r +hen a person helps, protects, or %oes not stop the act from occ rring, or +hen the person as(s or tells a person to %o the act& 156"# !in ma(es people share in the $lame for something that may$e only one person act ally %i%& This in t rn allo+s for the others to $e more s scepti$le to sin, e)en tho gh they ne)er %irectly partoo( in the sin& 1540# *o% allo+e% all people to $e s scepti$le to sin so that 2e may grant mercy pon them that repent& 1541# 6hen a person commits anything that goes against the -ather an% his eternal la+, that person commits a sin& 1542# To sin, a person commits a %ee% that goes against their o+n point of $eing&

1543# The heart, o%%ly eno gh, is the place +here sin resi%es& 7ach sin has a sort of gra)ity $ehin% it, ma(ing it either more e)il or less e)il than another sin& 1540# To commit a sin that is %eeme% mortal is to f lly (no+ that a %ee% is gra)e an% goes against *o%, an% yet still procee% on %oing the %ee%& This is so gra)e that is %estroys the charity that resi%es in a person/s heart& 1545# @enial sin is a lesser sin, that since it %oes not %estroy charity, it can $e heale% $y charity& 1546# 'y the repetition of sin, no matter the type or category, lea%s to the inclination of )ices, e)en the most serio s capital )ices&

The Fall: 355# 3n *o% there is no e)il. yet no h man $eing can $e e8empt from e)il& Therefore, there m st $e a %ifferent reason for the e8istence of e)il other than *o% $eing the creator of it& 356# !in is something that has al+ays $een present in the life of all of h manity& To then n%erstan% sin, it ma(es sense to realize the relationship $et+een h mans an% their creator& !in is then n%erstoo% as a ref sal to $e o$e%ient to the Creator& 354# 3t is only thro gh means of *o%/s 1e)elation that a h man $eing can f lly n%erstan% +hat sin really is& This n%erstan%ing is that sin is the a$ se of the free +ill grante% to h manity $y their creator& 355# !in can only $e f lly n%erstoo% thro gh the %eath an% 1es rrection of ,es s Christ, for it ,es s +ho can as the 1e%eemer to sa)e h manity from the snares of e)il& 35"# 3t is impossi$le to n%erstan% original sin +itho t tr ly n%erstan%ing that ,es s is the 1e%eemer, for they are meant to $e in relation +ith each other# ,es s as 1e%eemer to sa)e h manity from the %isease that is original sin& 3"0# 3n *enesis chapter 3, the story of the -all, there is a lot of fig rati)e aspects, yet it is +itho t a %o $t that there is literal tr ths# one $eing that the -all occ rre% at the $eginning of the history of h manity& 3"1# 3n the acco nt of the -all, there is a character that appears in opposition to *o% an% h manity& This $eing, +hich is referre% to as the %e)il, is ta ght to ha)e once $een an angel at the si%e of *o%, $ t ha% fallen of their o+n accor%& 3"2# 3n !cript re there is e)i%ence of a fall of angels, +here these angels re9ecte% *o% an% re9ecte% his so)ereignty& As for the %e)il, it can $e note% that he one of these fallen angels, an% that he, from the $eginning of time, has $een the father of all that is e)il& 3"3# This sin of the angels is one that is nforgi)a$le& This m st not $e mista(en as an error in *o%/s %i)ine mercy, $ t in the fact that there can $e no repentance for angels after their fall from *o%/s si%e&

3"0# There are many acco nts in the 'i$le +here the %e)il has trie% to play an infl ence on h manity, e)en that of ,es s Christ& 3t is thro gh this, ho+e)er, that ,es s came to re%eem the +orl%, for 2e nee%e% to sa)e the +orl% from the mis%ee%s of the %e)il& 3"5# The %e)il is not li(e *o% the infinite $eing, $ t he is a $eing that is = ite limite%& 3t is thro gh the po+er of *o%, that the mis%ee%s of the %e)il can act ally $e se% for the greater glory of *o%. to strengthen an% enco rage all of h manity& 3"6# 2 man $eing +ere create% for the p rpose of frien%ship +ith *o%. one +hich is nee%e% to $e %one freely an% +illf lly& !ince h man $eings are simply creat res, there is a limitation to +hat can $e %one, for a creat re is %epen%ent of the one +ho has create% it& 3"4# 6hen h manity, that is the first h man $eings, follo+e% the %irection of the %e)il, they %irectly %iso$eye% the la+ that *o% ha% gi)en them, th s $rea(ing their f ll comm nion +ith *o%& 3"5# 'y sinning, h manity chooses oneself o)er *o% an% there$y con%emns themself& Also, it is thro gh sinning that h manity %esire% to stri)e to $e *o% +itho t any help or %esire of the one that is act ally *o%& 3""# Thro gh this original sin, h manity lost its tr e capacity, that +hich is the grace of original holiness& They also lost all sense of +hat *o% really +as, an% in t rn $ecame frightene% at the i%ea of *o%& 000# 'eca se of original sin, h manity $ecame s scepti$le to many pro$lems an% in t rn the prophecy of *o% +as nfol%e%# that they +ho ate of the fr it +o l% %ie& 001# The effects of original sin %i% not stop at its conception. they contin e% thro gho t the history of h manity& This not only occ rs $eca se of the pro$lems that +ere create%, $ t also $eca se sin lea%s to more sin& <nce original sin occ rre%, there +as no +ay to stop the temptation to sin again& 002# 3t +as thro gh the sin of one person that sin an% %eath of all h manity +as create%& 'eca se of this, it only ma(es sense that it +o l% $e $y the han%s of one person to sa)e all of h manity from sin an% %eath& 003# The connection $et+een h manity an% sin is one that can only $e e8plaine% thro gh the connection of original sin to mo%ern %ay sin& 3t is thro gh the first h man/s original sin that all of h manity is $orn +ith original sin, a sin +hich is imprinte% on h manity thro gh no act of their o+n& 000# All of h manity is connecte% to the original sin $eca se all h mans are nite% together thro gh the first parents& 7)en so, original sin is still a mystery& 6hat is (no+n comes thro gh %i)ine 1e)elation an% it sho+s that h manity +as meant for original holiness& 005# <riginal sin, tho gh it is in each an% e)ery person, is not a sin ma%e on the personal le)el& 3t is the %epra)ity of no longer ha)ing original holiness& This %epra)ity, ho+e)er, can $e fille% thro gh the means of 'aptism, +hich t rns h manity $ac( to *o%, tho gh not f lly&

006# 'eca se of Pelagianism, the $elief that a h man $eing %i% not nee% the help of *o%/s %i)ine grace to li)e morally 9 st li)es, the Catholic Ch rch +as a$le to %efine $etter the transmission of original sin in a clearer +ay& The %efinition an% n%erstan%ing of original sin $ecame e)en clearer thro gh the time perio% of the first Protestant reformations& 004# Thro gh original sin, the %e)il +as a$le to ac= ire some %ominion o)er all of h manity& 3t is thro gh this %ominion that man is hel% capti)e $y the %e)il an% his po+er of %eath& 005# The sin of the +orl% is an e8pression that is e8plaine% thro gh the reperc ssion of original sin thro gho t the social str ct res of the +orl%& 00"# 'eca se of the effects of original sin, h manity/s life $ecomes one of a constant $attle $et+een +hat is goo% an% +hat is e)il& This then $ecomes the history of h manity. people either tri mphantly fin%ing goo% or failing to %o so& 010# 7)en +hen h manity %iso$eye% *o% an% fell into sin, 2e ne)er left the si%e of h manity& Act ally, *o% ses the fall of h manity in a mysterio s +ay so as to heral% the p an% coming )ictor o)er %eath an% sin& This heral%ing is (no+n as the Protoe)angeli m, +hich is the anno ncing of a !a)ior to come for the +orl%& 011# 3n the Christian )ie+, this Protoe)angeli m +ill $ecome the B:e+ A%amC $y re%eeming the +orl% of +hat the first A%am %i%& Also, in this anno ncement there +as to $e also a B:e+ 7)e,C +hich is $elie)e% $y Catholics to $e the Mother of Christ, Mary, for she +as concei)e% +itho t original sin, the first fr its of ,es s/ re%emption& 012# *o% %i% not pre)ent the first parents from sinning $eca se it is thro gh the permission of sin that a greater goo% can come forth& Thro gh original sin the greater glory of the -ather +as re)eale% thro gh the coming of the !on the 1e%eemer& 013# The Creator of h manity ne)er create% h mans so that they +o l% %ie. it +as thro gh the +or( of the %e)il that sin an% %eath ha% e)er come into the +orl%& 010# Those angels that ha% %iso$eye% *o% an% re9ecte% his s preme %ominion are no+ fallen angels, comprise% of %emons an% the %e)il& These $eings are the c lprits in the temptation of h manity to+ar%s sin& 015# At the $eginning of time the first h mans +ent against *o%/s comman% an% trie% to attain the po+ers of *o%, thro gh no means of *o% 2imself& 016# 'eca se of the fall of h manity, $oth the first parents an% the rest of h manity lost the original holiness that +as gi)en to them at the start& 014# <riginal sin is the state of h manity +here there is the a$sence of original holiness& This a$sence +as create% $y the first parents an% has $een transmitte% thro gho t the generation into the mo%ern times& 015# There are many reperc ssions to ha)ing original sin staine% on o r e8istence& < t of these, the main one to note is the inclination to sin&

01"# <riginal sin, thro gh means of the Co ncil of Trent, has $een clarifie% to $e an act +hich has $een transmitte% thro gho t the generations an% it is something that each an% e)ery person has at $irth& 020# The fact that Christ the !a)ior of h manity +as $orn to ma(e p for the +orl%/s sins pro)es that *o% ma(es great things come from each an% e)ery sin& 021# The $elief of Christians is that thro gh *o%/s lo)e an% mercy the +orl% is still (ept allo+e% to $e in e8istence an% that Christ has set all of h manity free from the sla)ery of sin an% %eath&

The !acrament of Penance: 1000# To sin is to %isr pt the relationship $et+een *o% an% man, an% man an% Ch rch& To reconcile an act of sin, one m st $oth $e forgi)en $y *o% an% $e reconcile% $y the Ch rch& This can $e %one thro gh the sacrament (no+n as Penance, or 1econciliation& 1001# 3t is only thro gh *o% that a sin may $e forgi)en& 3t is in this that ,es s is a$le to forgi)e sins, for he is *o%& Thro gh ,es s, the po+er an% a thority to forgi)en has $een permitte% to contin e thro gh means of e8ercising in ,es s/ name& 1002# Thro gh 2is she%%ing of $loo%, Christ +ille% that the Ch rch $e the metho% of forgi)eness of sins, tho gh the only people +ith tr e a thority to act ally forgi)e sins are those in the apostolic ministry& 1003# ,es s %i% not stop at only forgi)ing the sins of others. 2e too( it a step f rther an% reintro% ce% the forgi)en sinners into the comm nity of *o%/s People& 1000# 6hen ,es s ga)e the po+er to forgi)e the sins of another to his %isciples, 2e also ga)e them the a thority to ma(e an act of reconciliation $et+een the person an% the Ch rch& 1005# 6hen the Apostles +ere gi)en the po+er to $in% an% loose, they +ere really gi)en the po+er to allo+ or re9ect others from the comm nion +ith *o% the -ather& 1006# The sacrament of 1econciliation is meant for e)eryone that parta(es in the Ch rch, $ t more importantly anyone +ho fallen into grie)o s sin since the time of 'aptism& 1004# 3n the $eginning 1econciliation +as a rigoro s tas(s, it +as a p $lic %eclaration of one/s sins +hich sometimes too( e)en years to f lly $e reconcile%& As time +ent on the i%ea of a pri)ate an% non?prolonge% 1econciliation too( root, +hich is ho+ it is to%ay& 1005# 7)en tho gh there ha)e $een changes in the cele$ration of the sacrament of 1econciliation, the tr e str ct re of it has not change%& There +as, an% still is, the con)ersion of the person an% the interaction of *o% thro gh the Ch rch& 100"# The str ct re of the forgi)eness gi)en to a sinner is one that is impose% $y the -ather thro gh the !on/s sacrifice an% the 2oly !pirit/s gift&

1050# -or the sacrament of 1econciliation to $e tr ly present, the sinner# m st $e +illing in his actions, m st $e tr ly sorry for the %ee%s, m st )er$ally state the %ee%s, an% m st practice $eing h m$le& 1051# The first thing a person m st $e in 1econciliation is tr ly sorro+f l for the sinf l %ee% that has $een committe%& Also, the person m st $e intent to not repeat the sinf l %ee%& 1052# Perfect contrition is achie)e% +hen a contrite heart has the %esire to $e lo)e% $y *o% a$o)e all else& This perfect contrition has the po+er to heal someone from )enial sins an% to grant forgi)eness to those +ith mortal sin on them& 1053# 3mperfect contrition is the contrition that is not ma%e o t of lo)e for *o% a$o)e else, rather it is o t of fear or the ac(no+le%gment of sin an% its conse= ences& This imperfect contrition is still a gift from *o%, yet it cannot o$tain tr e forgi)eness of the more grie)o s sin& 1050# A person +ho is preparing to recei)e the sacrament of 1econciliation o ght to %o an e8amination of their conscience& This is %one $y loo(ing at certain %oc ments, li(e the Ten Comman%ments, an% realizing +hat mis%ee%s a person has committe%& 1055# 'y )er$alizing, or confessing, one/s sins, the person can come to loo(ing at the sins in the +ay they are really present& 3n this act, the person ta(es responsi$ility for the mis%ee%s an% allo+s *o%/s comm nion to $e reopene% for them& 1056# The confession to an act al priest is a cr cial point to 1econciliation& Also, all mortal sins, e)en those that are most secret m st $e ma%e )er$al to the priest& 1054# <nce a person comes of a certain age, they are calle% to go to 1econciliation at a minim m of once e)ery year& 3t is important to note that anyone +ho commits a mortal sin m st not recei)e 2oly Comm nion ntil they ha)e $een to 1econciliation& 3n this, chil%ren +ho are a$le to recei)e -irst Comm nion m st first recei)e 1econciliation& 1055# Tho gh it is not completely necessary, the confession of %aily )enial sins are strongly recommen%e% so as to form a $etter conscience& 105"# To o)ercome a %one mis%ee%, one m st %o +hate)er is possi$le in their po+er to repair the %amage that their mis%ee% ca se%& This incl %es $oth the %amage to one/s neigh$or an% to oneself& -or a person to o)ercome this self?%amage, they are to e8ercise a penance, or something that amen%s for the sin& 1060# This penance that one m st %o m st $oth $e in respect to the person/s personal sit ation an% it m st $e in the intent of their spirit al +ell?$eing& 3t m st $e correspon% to the le)el at +hich the sin %one +as, meaning the more gra)e a sin the %eeper the penance shall $e&

"hy did the "ord #ecome Flesh$

056# Thro gh the :icene Cree% each Catholic professes that ,es s Christ is *o% an% has at the same time $ecame man& 3t is thro gh the 2oly !pirit, +ho is *o%, an% thro gh Mary, a h man $eing, that ,es s is $oth *o% an% man& 054# The 6or% $ecame flesh so that h manity may $e re%eeme% thro gh repentance to+ar%s *o% the -ather& 055# 3n or%er for h manity to some+hat grasp the lo)e of *o% the -ather to+ar%s them, 2e sent ,es s to for h manity to li)e +ith an% thro gh& 05"# ,es s +as sent $y the -ather to $e an e8emplar of tr e holiness an% faith to the -ather& 3t is thro gh ,es s that h manity +as gi)en the gol%en r le# to lo)e e)eryone as ,es s himself lo)es& 060# *o%, +ho still %esires h manity/s relationship, sent 2is only !on to ma(e h manity sharers in the %i)ine nat re of *o%& 3t is thro gh ,es s that h mans may $ecome *o%/s chil%ren an% might $ecome go%s as h manity +as create% to $e&

The Virtues and %race: 1510# >i)ine grace is gi)en to the person +ho ac= ires h man )irt e in a +ay of their o+n accor%& 3t is thro gh the help of *o% that these )irt es can incline the person to+ar%s goo%& 1511# Moral $alance an% the inclination to+ar%s )irt e can only $e attaine% for a person tho gh the means of Christ/s self?sacrifice an% 2is offering of grace& 1512# The theological )irt es are those )irt es that are %irectly correlate% to *o% an% they prompt a relationship +ith the +hole of the >i)ine Trinity& 1513# These theological )irt es are the f n%amentals of the fiel% of moral acti)ity. informing an% pro% cing fr it in all other )irt es& These )irt es are of $ t only three# faith, hope, an% charity& 1510# -aith is the $elief that there is a *o% an% that e)erything 2e has re)eale% to h manity is a reality& Also, faith is the $eginning of the %esire to see( o t the +ill of *o%, for $elie)ing lea%s to follo+ing& 1515# -or the )irt e of faith to remain present in a person, that same person m st not act against their faith& Also, +itho t the other theological )irt es, faith is nothing $ t a tho ght process, $ringing no one closer to *o%& 1516# -aith is not something that can $e ta(en lightly, it is to $e professe% to all the nations an% it is meant to $e sprea% all o)er the +orl%& This is important $eca se to attain sal)ation a person m st +itness an% ser)e others to the faith& 1514# 2ope is the tr e %esire for the coming of the ;ing%om of *o% an% the eternal life that it comes +ith& To %o this, one m st p t all tr st into ,es s an% 2is promises of eternal life&

1515# 2ope is a response to the %esire of happiness that has $een engra)e% onto e)ery person/s heart& This hope is a gift that (eeps people from $eing %isco rage% an% grants them the a$ility to $e preser)e% from all that is selfish& 151"# The hope that is ma%e ane+ in the times of Christ is a f lfillment of the hope of the People of *o% from the <l% Testament& 1520# The hope of Christianity starts at the conception of ,es s/s proclamation of the $eatit %es, or the ne+ la+ of ,es s& These $eatit %es rise p the hope that there is a ne+ lan% that is promise% to the People of *o%& This hope is important $eca se it helps protect h man $eings in the $attle for their sal)ation& 1521# The +hole point of hope, then, is to tr st in the hea)enly promise that *o% re)eale% to h manity& 3t is also to $e hope% for that, thro gh the po+er of *o%, a person can ma(e it all the +ay to the en% +ith *o% on their si%e& 1522# Charity is the lo)e for *o% a$o)e all else& Also, it is the lo)e of neigh$or as if they +ere the person themsel)es& 1523# The ne+ la+ that ,es s preache% a$o t is this )irt e of charity. it is thro gh selfless lo)e to+ar%s another that people can tr ly follo+ in the footsteps of ,es s/ lo)e& 1520# -or a person to $e a part of the lo)e of the -ather, that person m st (eep the la+s an% %ecrees of the Lor%& 1525# 3n the %ying on the cross, ,es s sho+e% 2is lo)e for all of h manity& This occ rre% e)en tho gh 2e (ne+ not e)eryone lo)e% 2im $ac(& 1526# 6itho t the )irt e of charity a person tr ly has nothing, for charity is the greatest of all )irt es& 1524# Charity is the )irt e that connects all other )irt es. it is thro gh charity that there can $e harmony $et+een e)erything& Also, charity is the s pernat ral gift that allo+s a person/s possi$ility to lo)e gro+ to a %i)ine lo)e& 1525# To $e a chil% of *o% a person m st li)e o t their life +ith the tmost charity& This gi)es the person free%om to reciprocate the lo)e that the -ather sho+s him& 152"# Charity is a $ene)olence that $oth see(s o t the help of others an% %eman%s generosity& 3t is the $eginning of tr e fello+ship an% comm nion $et+een %ifferent people& 1530# The gifts of the 2oly !pirit are the s stenance of the moral life for a person, $ringing a firm %isposition for a person to follo+ the 2oly !pirit g i%ing them& 1531# There are se)en gifts that the 2oly !pirit presents to the +hole of h manity, each completing an% perfecting the )irt es that are alrea%y instille% in the person& 1532# The 2oly !pirit also grants fr its of the !pirit to people, +hich are perfections of h manity that lea% to+ar%s the coming of the eternal glory of *o%&

1533# A )irt e is something that is forme% thro gh contin al repetition an% thro gh a %esire to %o goo%& 1530# There are fo r car%inal )irt es, or the greater of the h man )irt es, +hich are %esires of the intellect an% +ill to %o goo% %ee%s ha$it ally in accor%ance to reason an% faith& 1535# Pr %ence is the %isposition to se reason so as to recognize +hether some %ee% is tr ly goo% or e)il, then it is the means of choosing ho+ to ac= ire the potential goo%& 1536# , stice is the %esire an% action to grant *o% an% people +hat is rightly theirs& This can $e achie)e% thro gh a firm %isposition to %o +hat is right rather than to %o e)il& 1534# -ortit %e is the )irt e that gi)es strength an% co rage to a person in %iffic lt sit ations& This s ally occ rs only in the p rs it of tr e goo% %ee%s& 1535# Temperance is the )irt e that $alances $oth the instinct al senses of the h man $o%y an% the amo nt of ma%e goo%s that the person tilizes& 153"# The gro+th of the morality of )irt es occ rs thro gh contin e% practice an% gro+ing (no+le%ge& These then can $e ele)ate% to a greater %egree $y the grace of *o%& 1500# The se of the theological )irt es calls a person to a $etter an% more profo n% relationship +ith the -ather, !on, an% 2oly !pirit& 1501# -aith, hope, an% charity are the life gi)ing )irt es, or theological )irt es, that connect all other )irt es together& 1502# -aith is the $elief that there is a *o% an% that he tr ly has re)eale% to h manity many tr ths a$o t 2imself, li(e thro gh the !on of *o%& 1503# 2ope is the %esire to achie)e eternal life +ith *o% thro gh the tr st an% o$e%ience that the -ather see(s& 1500# Charity is the %isposition to lo)e *o% as he is o ght to $e lo)e%, a$o)e all else, an% to lo)e other people as a person sho l% lo)e themself& This charity is the greatest of all other )irt es, for it $in%s them in harmony +ith each other& 1505# There are se)en gifts that the 2oly !pirit $esto+s pon each an% e)ery +illing person&

%race and &ustification: 1"54# 3t is thro gh the po+er an% grace of the 2oly !pirit that h man $eings are a$le to $e 9 stifie% from the sins that are committe%& 1"55# 3t is thro gh the 2oly !pirit that h mans are empo+ere% to play a role in the %eath an% 1es rrection of ,es s Christ& This occ rs $y h mans %ying to sin an% $eing $ro ght into ne+ life in the Ch rch&

1"5"# Con)ersion is the first part of the grace that the 2oly !pirit $esto+s on h manity, for ,es s preache% that h manity m st change their attit %e an% repent so as to $e +ith the -ather& 3t is thro gh this con)ersion that h manity can lean to+ar%s *o% an% a+ay from sin& 1""0# , stification, since from the 2oly !pirit, lea%s a person to+ar%s *o% for it ri%s the persons of any affiliation +ith sin& , stification also +or(s thro gh the mercy of the -ather an% 2is forgi)eness& 1""1# At the same time as it ri%s one from sin, 9 stification is the ac(no+le%ging an% accepting of *o% an% 2is %i)ine righteo sness& This occ rs tho gh the $elief in ,es s an% lea%s to a inpo ring of the theological )irt es into a person/s heart& 1""2# , stification is not a gift alone. it is something that +as earne% thro gh the %eath an% 1es rrection of ,es s& This 9 stification is something that can then $e grante% to those +ho participate in the sacrament of 'aptism, an% it lea%s those $aptize% into the tr e gift of the life eternal +ith *o% the -ather& 1""3# 3n 9 stification there is a +or(ing together of $oth the grace of the -ather an% the free +ill gi)en to h manity $y the -ather& This means that $oth *o% m st gi)e a person the grace to $e 9 stifie% an% the person m st +illingly accept it for them to tr ly $e 9 stifie%& 1""0# , stification is the +or( of the Trinity, +here the -ather, in 2is lo)e sent the !on, +ho +as empo+ere% $y the 2oly !pirit& 3t can $e note% that 9 stification is greater than all other create% things, for it is the 9 stifying of someone +ho +o l% other+ise $e con%emne%& 1""5# The 9 stification of h manity $y the 2oly !pirit lea%s to an% incl %es the sanctification of a person/s +hole $eing as s ch& 1""6# 3t is $y the grace of *o% that h manity can $e 9 stifie%& This grace is a free gift from *o%. it is something that cannot $e earne% an% it is gi)en for the response of h mans to $ecome 2is chil%ren& 1""4# *race is the comm nion $et+een *o% an% 2is people, $ringing 2is people closer in relationship +ith the Trinity& This comm nion $egins at 'aptism an% allo+s for a tr e family?li(e nion to $e present $et+een h manity an% the Trinity& 1""5# The call to li)e eternally +ith the -ather is a s pernat ral calling. it %epen%s first on the in)itation from the -ather +ho can alone share 2imself +ith h manity& 1"""# The grace of Christ gi)en from the -ather is one of gracio sness an% it is empo+er +ith the 2oly !pirit to help sanctify the h man so l& This grace is +hat is grante% at 'aptism. a grace meant for the p rpose of sanctification of h manity& 2000# The sanctifying grace gi)en to h manity is a ha$it al gift that is gi)en, for it is the %esire to contin o sly follo+ the )ocation gi)en to a person $y *o%& This ha$it al grace is %ifferent from the gift of act al grace, +hich is the gift of grace +here *o% inter)enes o tsi%e of a person/s %esire&

2001# 3t is act ally alrea%y a grace of *o% for a person to prepare to $e grante% grace& This means that a person nee%s the grace of *o% to e)en thin( a$o t or %esire to recei)e any f rther grace& 2002# 7)en tho gh *o% freely gi)es grace to e)eryone, the grace is not effecti)e nless the recipient +illing respon%s to the grace& This $ecomes present in the %esire of people, for a person can only $e satisfie% +hen they are in comm nion +ith *o% thro gh free +ill 2003# -irst, grace is something that is grante% to a person $y the 2oly !pirit& !econ%, it incl %es the other gifts that the 2oly !pirit grants to a person& There are also types of graces, li(e sacramental, +hich are grante% at a sacrament, an% special, those graces that are for the $etterment of the +hole Ch rch& 2000# The graces of state are the graces that help o t a person in the action of lea%ing a moral goo% Christian life& 2005# All graces cannot $e (no+n $y mere reason an% intellect alone. it is only thro gh faith an% re)elation that graces can $ecome recognize%& 2006# Merit is +hat is o+e% to someone % e to a % ty they ha)e complete% or accomplishe%& This o+ing, +hether for a goo% or e)il %ee%, is s ally %ealt +ith $y a re+ar% or a p nishment, for it is, li(e +ith 9 stice, the gi)ing of +hat is % e to them& 2004# As for the relationship $et+een *o% an% h manity, there is nothing that can $e merite% $y h manity& This is $eca se h manity has alrea%y recei)e% in f ll e)erything from *o%& 2005# *o% freely chose that h manity +as to $e affiliate% +ith the inpo ring of 2is grace& 3t is thro gh this concept that h manity %oes not merit the grace of *o% $y follo+ing 2im, $ t that h manity is gi)en the chance to choose the grace of *o%& 200"# 3t is the right of h manity, thro gh the grace of *o%, to $ecome co?heirs of the eternal life in comm nion +ith ,es s& 2010# :o person has the a$ility to merit the initial grace gi)en to h manity $y *o%, $ t +hen mo)e% thro gh the 2oly !pirit a person can merit for themsel)es any graces that +ill lea% to+ar% sanctification& 2011# The charity that is e8presse% from ,es s to all of h manity is the so rce that compels all of the merits that h manity can stri)e to recei)e& 2012# *o% +or(s for the goo% of all those people that tr ly lo)e 2im& 3t is thro gh this that anyone +hom *o% tr ly fore(ne+, 2e +o l% en% p 9 stifying an% glorifying them& 2013# 7)ery last Christian, no matter their c rrent state of $eing, is calle% to the f llness of tr e charity an% the comm nion +ith *o%& 2010# The more a person $ecomes spirit ally enhance%, the more that that person +ill $e calle% to a more intimate an% mystical relationship +ith the !on of *o%& This relationship is consi%ere% mystical $eca se it can only $e (no+n thro gh the mystery of Christ an% 2is sacramental graces&

2015# 3t is thro gh the cross of ,es s Christ that a person can e)en thin( a$o t $ecoming perfect li(e the -ather& 2016# All that the mem$ers of the Ch rch can tr ly an% rightly hope for is the preser)ing of h manity from eternal %eath an% the recompense of *o% for all the goo% that has $een %one thro gh the cross of Christ& 2014# 'y the po+er of the 2oly !pirit all of h manity, thro gh faith an% the sacraments, allo+e% to share in the righteo sness of the -ather an% the %eath an% 1es rrection of the !on& 2015# There are t+o main points to the 9 stification of a person& The first is that thro gh the grace of *o% a person can a$stain an% t rn a+ay from sin& !econ%ly, the person m st accept the graces of the -ather an% the forgi)eness $esto+e% pon them& 201"# , stification is (no+n thro gh the %enial of sins, the sanctification of h man so ls, an% the repentance of the person& 2020# 3t is thro gh the %eath an% 1es rrection of ,es s that a person has $een re+ar%e% +ith the 9 stification of their so l& 2021# 3n or%er for h manity to $ecome tr e chil%ren of the -ather, the -ather has freely gi)en graces that allo+ h manity to enter into comm nion +ith the Trinity& 2022# The response of h manity to *o% is 9 st that, a response& 3t is initiate% $y the grace from the -ather +hich helps all of h manity to+ar%s the preparation to respon% correctly& 2023# !anctifying grace is the gift $y the -ather that is inf se% +ith the 2oly !pirit an% allo+s h man so ls to $e free% from their sins an% $e tr ly sanctifie% from +ithin& 2020# Thro gh sanctifying grace h mans $ecome +hat the -ather %esire% them to $ecome& Thro gh special graces, h mans are a$le to se this sanctifying grace for the greater glory of the +hole Ch rch& 2025# 3t is only thro gh *o% granting h manity a share in 2is initial graces that they can $ecome +orthy of meriting any sort of grace& 3n the en%, it all comes %o+n to *o% allo+ing h manity to merit 2is grace& 2026# The 2oly !pirit/s grace allo+s h manity to $ecome more s scepti$le to merit the other graces of *o%& The primary +ay to %o this is thro gh the grace of charity& 2024# There is no person that can merit the initial grace gi)en to them $y the -ather, $ t +ith the 2oly !pirit a person can come to merit other graces that can lea% to e)erything necessary for eternal life in comm nion +ith the -ather& 2025# 7)ery last person +ho tr ly $elie)es in Christ has to calling to gain perfect charity an% li)e a morally goo% life& 202"# 3t is impossi$le to follo+ Christ +itho t first follo+ing 2im to the cross that 2e ha% to en% re&