morality & justice

Is there a right and a wrong, though, GUIDING LIGHT when it comes to morality? We used How do you determine what is various standards to judge each right and wrong? What principles situation and sometimes they led us did you use to guide you? to the same action, while other times they led us to a different action. Was When we are presented with a any person wrong in their decision? decision that has some weight to it, we rely on an internal set of Some decisions have no right or rules to determine how we act. We wrong answer; when we talk about call these rules our “morals.” When our preferences, there is not a right we talk about how we determine answer — everyone can be “right” in “right” and “wrong” more broadly, their own way. But when we talk R we call that “morality.” The moral about more important things like E

T code that people follow might be how we treat other people, ways in N impacted by all kinds of things — which we respect life, and what laws U

O we may keep the same moral code are good and just and what ones are C as our parents because we admire not, there is a right answer and a N

E them or actively go against their wrong answer.

• moral code because we want to 4

2 rebel against them. Life experience

This might be difficult to hear;

E may have formed our morality, and morality increasingly seems to be G we may share the same morals as A something we believe we can

P our friends. “personally define,” and to be clear, MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

we do need to personally chose how we live. The question is not if THE MORAL CODE OF we can choose our own moral THE TEACHER code; the question is how we determine the best way to live. As followers of Jesus, we have a This is a big question. Our morality morality that we can choose and determines how we act and the that was defined and given to us by kind of person we are. If we want Jesus, Himself. Our moral code as to live well, our morality matters. Christians is written throughout the Gospels and is clarified and applied by the Catholic Church. Our job, as discussion questions disciples, is to understand that moral teaching and apply it to our lives.

Do you find it easy or hard to There is no small number of people know what to do in a situation? who question why we should live the What situations are easy to know moral teaching of Christ and the what is right? What situations Church, especially when it seems are more difficult? contrary to what is culturally acceptable. Jesus, as the Son of God, has the authority to make definitive teaching about the best way for us to live. This teaching is guarded by the Church, which Christ gives authority to interpret His teachings for each era of human existence.

The group of people who guard this teaching is called “the Magisterium.” What kind of person do you want It is made up of bishops who to be? prayerfully discern how to apply the teaching of Christ to modern day P

issues. Jesus did not speak on some A

of the things we deal with in modern G E

society, not because they were not 2

important but because people would 5

not have understood what He was •

teaching. Instead, Jesus preached E N

using universal images the Church is C able to apply to modern moral O U

situations. N T E

Jesus’ teachings are the foundation R of the Church’s moral teaching. The MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

Church does not have the authority to change the teachings VIRTUE & VICE of Christ; she only has authority to apply them as new social and There are many moral situations moral situations arise. the Church speaks in to. The Church also identifies broad areas of positive and negative moral discussion questions living. We call positive moral behaviors “virtues” and negative moral behaviors “vices.” There are classic virtues and sins that can What laws and moral codes do help us understand Christ’s we have in our secular world are teachings and the ways in which rooted in the teachings of Jesus? the Church calls us to live.

The seven virtues are love, hope, faith, justice, temperance, fortitude, and prudence. The seven vices are pride, gluttony, sloth, lust, greed, envy, and anger. We can view much of our morality through these vices and virtues. What Church teachings on morality do you struggle with? Virtue is a moral quality that we How can you seek to understand work on with God’s grace. When them? we live the virtue of love, loving God and our neighbor, we make decisions that bring us in alignment with Jesus’ teaching. One way we would practice the virtue of love is by serving those who experience poverty. Love is self-sacrificial, so by giving up time R

E on a Saturday to serve at a shelter T

N for people who are homeless we

U love our neighbor well. At the O same time, we also combat the C

N vice of greed — instead of being E

selfish, we are self-less. • 6 2 Vice often happens when we E

G become deficient in an area of

A virtue. When we fail to love, we can P become greedy, lustful, envious, or MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

angry. When we fail to have hope, we become slothful. When we fail discussion questions to practice temperance, we become gluttonous. Which marks on the examination Vices and virtues are practical are you most surprised by? ways we can view morality. We need to remember, though, that all virtue is rooted in the grace that Jesus gives us and is clarified by Church teaching.

So, take the virtue of love. If someone is doing something sinful but we do not want to call them out on it because we think it Think about the three virtues you would not be loving, we are not have the most. What specific kinds living the virtue. Likewise, in our of choices do you make that help romantic relationships, we can confuse the virtue of love with the you cultivate these virtues? vice of lust by telling ourselves that sexual intimacy with our partner is morally OK because we “love them.” When we examine that feeling against Church teachings, though, we see that we are actually engaging in a vice rather than a virtue.

Jesus calls us to live moral and upright lives. He calls us to be disciples who follow Him and His Think about the three virtues you example. The Church guides us have the least. What choices lead along that path, which is you away from virtue? What specific ultimately freedom. Each person kinds of choices can you make to here is called to that same help you cultivate those virtues? P A freedom, but it is up to us to G cooperate with God’s grace in E

order to truly find it. 2 7

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QUESTIONS AFTER EVERYONE E

HAS COMPLETED IT. R MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

EXAMINATION ACTIVITY virtue & vice

Virtues are traits or qualities that are morally good and are, therefore, valued as the foundation of a good life. With each virtue, determine if you are deficient, have excellence, or are in excess, and mark this on the handout. As you go through the list, choose at least three virtues you live well. Circle these. Then choose three virtues you struggle to live well. Draw a star next to these. R E T N U O C N E

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E G A P MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

GOOD HABIT me to do whatever I am supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray Catholic morality is not simply for answers, but now I am praying following rules. It is about growing for strength. I used to believe that in virtues that make us the best, prayer changes things, but now I holiest versions of ourselves. know that prayer changes us and Virtues are habitual and firm we change things.” dispositions to do the good. Not a general “good,” but THE good: We sometimes hear that prayer does God’s definition of good. not affect the wrongs in the world. As Catholics, we know this Justice is a human virtue — a virtue is not true. We know that God can that can be acquired through and does act toward our good in human effort. As justice is ways we cannot see. But, as with all fundamental to moral goodness, it things in our faith, God asks for our is also a cardinal virtue — one of participation. We are Christ’s hands four virtues from which all other and feet in the world. He calls us to human virtues flow. work toward justice and fight the sins that create injustice wherever Justice is the virtue by which we and whenever we can. constantly, firmly desire to give God and our neighbor what is due Living out true justice is a struggle. to them. True justice means having There are many people who disagree right relationship with God and with Catholicism’s view of justice one another — knowing and loving and are quick to condemn and God for who He is and loving all attack. We need the virtue of human beings as His children. prudence, strengthened in Confirmation to know what is truly We said virtues are habitual just and to act accordingly. dispositions to do the good — habits! And habits are actions. The virtue of justice is not simply a discussion questions theological idea. It requires actively serving God and neighbor How have you actively served God so naturally that it is second P nature. This is radically different and your neighbor? How can you A than the revenge that society calls live out justice more? G E

“justice.” How can we bring God’s 2

justice to our broken and hurting 9 •

world? Our first steps must be prayer and the sacraments. E N C

ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA O U

"I used to pray that God would N T

feed the hungry, or do this or that, E but now I pray that He will guide R MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

more — that are a part of God’s plan. SOCIAL JUSTICE Others face inequalities that are the consequences of sin. Whether or not WARRIOR these sinful inequalities impact us As we grow in justice, the Church personally, we must fight against guides us spiritually with the them for the sake of those affected. sacraments and prayer. However, the Church also gives practical Solidarity is another vital part of social justice, totally changing whom guidance, explaining how to act and why we serve. When we serve justly. She encourages us to pursue those in need, we sometimes see social justice — a society where them as projects rather than people. everyone knows what is good, We sometimes help simply for the works toward that good, and helps sake of helping. Solidarity teaches each other along that path. that we are one human family. Remembering this, we realize Social justice starts with a nothing in this world is truly our own fundamental respect for the — everything is a gift from God. Solidarity allows us to freely, human person. Living justly means unselfishly share material and respecting others and their rights spiritual goods with one another. — not the rights bestowed by a country or institution, but the The Church offers so much guidance rights that flow from their dignity regarding how to act justly and as children of God. create a just society. These concepts, the Ten Commandments, and the When speaking about rights, it is Beatitudes are just starting points. easy to think politically, but Christ Catholic social teaching is another great resource. Catholic social calls us beyond politics. We must teaching provides seven principles try to wipe away our prejudices that more concretely outline what a and love others as we love just society looks like. ourselves. We must especially care for the disadvantaged and those THE SEVEN THEMES OF CATHOLIC who think and act differently than SOCIAL TEACHING us, as we can easily feel they are R

E less deserving. 1: Life & Dignity of the Human T Person N

U Social justice also requires 2: Call to Family, Community , & O acknowledging our equality and Participation C

N our differences. As children of God, 3: Rights & Responsibilities E

we all have equal dignity and 4: Option for the Poor & Vulnerable •

0 equal, God-given rights. But 5: The Dignity of Work & the Rights 3 despite our equal dignity, our lives of Workers E

G do not play out equally. Some face 6: Solidarity

A natural inequalities — age, physical 7: Care for God's Creation P abilities, intellectual abilities, and MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

With all this, though, we must and must become one of our main remember that the Church not missions as well. only speaks about justice; she lives out justice, too. The Church is Confirmation and the Holy Spirit are always speaking on behalf of about faith in action. Preparing for people in need. Pope Francis is a Confirmation is the perfect time to great example of this. If you want learn more about the Church’s to change our world but do not teachings on justice and causes you know where to start, look to the can fight for. Use the graces you Church and stand up for justice receive in Confirmation to change with her. our world.

God made us unique and gave us unique callings. We all have discussion questions different passions when it comes to social justice. Discover yours! Look at your deepest concerns How have you seen the Church about our world and learn how you respond to social justice issues? can help. We must remember, What additional ways could the though, that we are working Church act? toward the common good: a just society for all. With that, some justice issues are more urgent or fundamental than others.

Pro-life issues are a good example. The right to life is the basis for all other rights. And, based on the numbers alone, abortion is an issue that requires urgent attention. But What are some social justice issues people who see the Church as that God has given you a passion simply anti-abortion are mistaken. for? P

While she cares deeply about the A unborn, the Church’s pro-life G E stance covers many issues and 3 causes the Church to speak out 1

• against all violence and threats to E human life and dignity. N C O

Christ and the Church show us, U both in word and action, that N T

caring for those in greatest need is SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE: E not optional. Justice is a main MATTHEW 25:34-40 R mission of Christ and the Church MORALITY & JUSTICE st. agatha confirmation prep

CLOSING PRAYER intercessory rosary

Pick 10 intentions related to social justice issues to pray a decade of the rosary for.

Some possible intentions include: The unborn Those enslaved by human trafficking An end to euthanasia Refugees The homeless An end to gun violence An end to racism Growth in a chaste culture Those experiencing racism Strength in discipleship to uphold life’s dignity

How to Pray:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. R E T N U O C N E

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