CHAPTER THREELaw as a Guide to Freedom

Freedom, responsibility and law go hand-in-hand in the

moral life

Look to the Law

Freedom and Responsibility

Freedom

“The power, rooted in reason and will, … to perform deliberate

actions on one’s own responsibility” (CCC, 1731)

Characteristics of Freedom

Freedom and Responsibility

Determinism

The philosophy that holds that every event, action,

and decision results from something independent of

the human will.

Characteristics of Freedom

Freedom and ResponsibilityKinds of Freedom

External freedom freedom from factors outside of ourselves that threaten to destroy our power to exercise choice.

Internal freedom freedom from interior factors that limit choice.

Freedom and ResponsibilityLimits of Freedom

Human freedom is not absolute but limited.

True freedom is not license.

Freedom and ResponsibilityAbuses Against Freedom

Abuses of freedom results in sin.

Major impediments to the exercise of true freedom:

Ignorance – not knowing what we should do or not do

Inadvertence – not paying attention or being distracted while acting

Duress – freedom is impeded when someone tries to force us to do something

Inordinate attachments – money or other possessions enslave us and we do not act with full freedom

Fear – panic in the face of danger

Habit – repeated behaviors that are good (virtues) or bad (vices)

Responsibility

imputableAscribed,

attributed, or definitely linked to a

specific accountable

person or entity

Emotions and Morality

Emotions are morally neutral. However, to the degree that they engage our reason and will, we can find moral good or evil in them.

Responsibility

In Union With Christ

Jesus is the fundamental norm of Christian morality.

Jesus is the standard or model on whom we should pattern our lives.

Responsibility

In Union With ChristResponsibility

norms

Guidelines or laws that can help regulate

human freedom

In Union With Christ

Source of norms are Scriptures, Tradition, and human reason.

Belief Values Principles

Responsibility

Law

Law and Morality

“An ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the

one who is in charge of the community” (Saint Thomas

Aquinas, in CCC, 1976).

Elements of Law:

Law is reasonable.

Law is for the common good.

Competent authority makes law.

Law must be promulgated.

Law and Morality

natural law

Law and Morality

The reasoned participation of humans in God’s eternal law that reveals what God intends us to do and to avoid according to his wise

and loving plan.

Natural LawNatural law is our participation in the divine law.Natural law teaches us what to do and what to avoid.Natural law corresponds to three basic human drives and needs:

Preserving lifeDeveloping as individuals and communitiesSharing life with others

Natural law is universal, permanent, and unchanging throughout history.

Law and Morality

The Old Law

Also known as the Law of Moses

Ten Commandments summarize the moral prescriptions of the old Law

Law and Morality

The New Law

Divine Law has four purposes:It helps us stay on the right path on our journey to God.It helps us discern what is right when there are conflicting ideas of right and wrong.It speaks of motivation.It indicates what is sinful.

Law and Morality

New Law

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the new law.It helps us understand the core attitudes that precede our actions.Can be summarized in two Gospel teachings:

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” (Mt 7:12)“Love one another as I love you.” (Jn 15:12)

Law and Morality

Law and MoralityVows taken to

poverty, chastity, and obedience in order to live the

Gospel more fully. The evangelical counsels were

typically embraced by those in religious

life.

evangelical counsels

The New Law

Law and MoralityThe New Law

canon law

The full body of officially

established rules governing the

Catholic Church, which was last

revised in 1983.

precepts of the Church

The minimal obligations for

members in good standing of the Catholic faith community

Church LawSix Precepts of the Church:

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.

3. You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.

4. You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.

5. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.

6. The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.

Law and Morality

VocabularyFreedomDeterminismImputableLawNatural lawEvangelical counselsPrecepts of the ChurchCanon law