Session #11

Lecture

Lecture Text

PART THREE - LIFE IN CHRIST

ARTICLE 7: THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT

          I. The Universal Destination and the Private Ownership of Goods

         II. Respect for Persons and Their Goods

        III. The Social Doctrine of the Church

         IV. Economic Activity and Social Justice

          V. Justice and Solidarity among Nations

         VI. Love for the Poor

             IN BRIEF

Every person and family regardless of the economic system employed requires material goods to survive in a healthy manner, and more than that, to support others entrusted to them and to participate in society. This participation in society is a sacred thing in any morally right occupation and is to be seen as a means to holiness. Even though society at large is to benefit from all goods, the system is supported by the individual's possession/use of those goods. Every dollar to be spent by the individual should be done to further the kingdom of God, since all things are for this purpose and is why man was given dominion and stewardship over creation. This may be done in generosity or to provide for one's needs. In a job, a person works expending energy, time, and health in part, in exchange for currency and that currency in turn is used to sustain their life. Theft is the usurpation of goods from another against their right and will to such goods. The Church further clarifies that this commandment also requires there is permission to borrow if applicable. Since this commandment involve material goods, a breach of this commandment demands a restoration or restitution of the goods in question. Any system of government or economics which may reduce man to property, such as Communism, is forbidden. Animals are used to serve man's needs and creation-to-creation kindness is due them, according to proper proportion. “The poor need the rich to draw them out of poverty. The rich need the poor to keep them out of hell,” said Cardinal Francis George. Fulton Sheen also says to measure generosity by what is left over not by what is given. Jesus was clear that service of the poor is service of Him.

    ARTICLE 8: THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT

          I. Living in the Truth

         II. To Bear Witness to the Truth

        III. Offenses against Truth

         IV. Respect for the Truth

          V. The Use of Social Communications Media

         VI. Truth, Beauty, and Sacred Art

             IN BRIEF

Secrecy and Darkness hides corruption. Whereas discretion is to be used with what is shared, living a false/double life can be a great obstacle to growth in the spiritual life and thus directly concerns one's living with respect to the all-knowing God. Lying is speaking falsely with intent to deceive. This also means we are called to give witness to Christ and that which we hold as truth. This is not to be done in a way which may undermine the conversion of others. Insofar as all are sons/daughters of God, exposing the faults of others unmercifully or without proper and charitable discretion undermines their being perceived in light of their dignity being made in the image and likeness of God. All such talk must bear both their divine filiation and be in the interest of salvation of all or else it will tear the Church down and poison the goodness of ecclesiastical society. One must discern for oneself what is harmful or not to real truth even if it asked for. Confidences are be respected, professional secrets must be kept, most especially the seal of confession which applies to anyone hearing or overhearing a confession. Society has a right to certain information according to truth, freedom, and justice. Art is supposed to convey the beauty that accompanies truth. 

    ARTICLE 9: THE NINTH COMMANDMENT

          I. Purification of the Heart

         II. The Battle for Purity

             IN BRIEF

The heart is man's moral center. Thus, what we conform our heart too we conform our whole being too. Given that the "heart" actually corresponds to the "inner self" and not the anatomical heart, the heart is all but the subconscious and the consciousness combined. Sometimes we like to pretend our problems away, but they never leave us so even if those problems concern another subject, it may come out expressed in another way. Such as wounds and parental issues. Purity of heart is a heart that natural and without desire for corruption wills the well-ordered good at all times and rather than contradicting personal desires, fulfills them properly. This is the fundamental struggle man has always faced, and love in all circumstance (that does not breach moral law by definition) is the only way to gauge. Modesty also concerns help other creature disposed to lust by their natural corruption. 

    ARTICLE 10: THE TENTH COMMANDMENT

          I. The Disorder of Covetous Desires

         II. The Desires of the Spirit

        III. Poverty of Heart

         IV. "I Want to See God"

             IN BRIEF

Home is where the heart is, so take value in that which you have not what you might. Detachment undoes all covetousness. "I want" is physiologically engaging statement and as such it disposes us to following what we firstly desire unconsciously and what we choose to desire. Sometimes these can conflict and such is another battle man faces. Envy is particularly disordered since it disposes use to consider it good to choose against the good of others rather than will it in love. Goodwill, admiration, humility, and abandonment to God's will and providence undo this tendency. Envy is not something of its own accord but is inspire by hurt and so healing in general is the path to undoing envy.

PART FOUR - CHRISTIAN PRAYER

SECTION ONE: PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

  CHAPTER ONE: THE REVELATION OF PRAYER

Prayer is a gift, a covenant, and a communion. Man is called to enter into a relationship with God and thus to prayer. "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" (St. John Damascene, De fide orth. 3, 24:PG 94, 1089C). (CCC 2590)

    ARTICLE 1: IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

From the very beginning, man has turned to God in prayer. Our first parents were in the garden and in an increasingly intense way with every succeeding covenant and God drew man back to Himself. In any case, it is a mysterious and simple encounter that is proper to the growth in faith, and it was through prayer that every patriarch/matriarch and prophet fulfilled his/her mission i.e. God's Will. The Psalms are a privileged masterwork of Prayer that Christ fulfills. 

    ARTICLE 2: IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME

Jesus, in every moment of His prayer in the Gospels, reveals to us what it means to be a son or daughter of God not only in the fact of His prayer but also in the model. It is done in solitude/secret, in a trust that includes the most bitter of all moments, and thereby in adherence to the Divine Will. This requires us to give authenticity, vigilance/constant prayer, a purified heart persevering faith, a boldness that arises from our Divine Filiation, and a certain surrendering to the self.

    ARTICLE 3: IN THE AGE OF THE CHURCH

          I. Blessing and Adoration

         II. Prayer of Petition

        III. Prayer of Intercession

         IV. Prayer of Thanksgiving

          V. Prayer of Praise

             IN BRIEF

The Holy Spirit instructs us in prayer and allows us to participate in the love of the Father and the Son while doing it. There is much that can be considered prayer, but all must incorporate and least an intent to pray and the heart, and it can be expressed as blessing, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and/or praise. Prayer of intercession is done on behalf of another and has no limitations. 

  CHAPTER TWO: THE TRADITION OF PRAYER

    ARTICLE 1: AT THE WELLSPRINGS OF PRAYER

The Holy Spirit instructs the Sons/Daughters of the Church in prayer through Her Sacred Tradition by way of Liturgy, the Word of God, as well as in Its own way through faith, hope, and charity.

Compendium of the Catholic Church Reading

Questions 503-557

Questions answered by the Catechism and Compendium.

1. What is set forth by the seventh commandment?

2. Under what conditions does the right to private property exist?

3. What is the purpose of private property?

4. What does the seventh commandment require?

5. What attitude should people have toward animals?

6. What is forbidden by the seventh commandment?

7. What is the content of the social doctrine of the Church?

8. When does the Church intervene in social areas?

9. How should social and economic life be pursued?

10. What would be opposed to the social doctrine of the Church?

11. What is the meaning of work?

12. To what type of work does every person have a right?

13. What responsibility does the State have in regard to labor?

14. What is the task of business management?

15. What are the duties of workers?

16. How is justice and solidarity among nations brought about?

17. In what way do Christians participate in political and social life?

18. By what is love for the poor inspired?

19. What is one’s duty toward the truth?

20. How does one bear witness to the truth?

21. What is forbidden by the eighth commandment?

22. What is required by the eighth commandment?

23. How is one to use the means of social communication?

24. What relationship exists between truth, beauty and sacred art?

25. What is required by the ninth commandment?

26. What is forbidden by the ninth commandment?

27. How does one reach purity of heart?

28. What are the other requirements for purity?

29. What is required and what is forbidden by the tenth commandment?

30. What does Jesus call for in poverty of spirit?

31. What is the greatest human desire?

32. What is prayer?

33. Why is there a universal call to prayer?

34. How is Abraham a model of prayer?

35. How did Moses pray?

36. In the Old Testament, what relationship do the king and the temple have to prayer?

37. What is the role of prayer in the mission of the prophets?

38. What is the importance of the Psalms in prayer?

39. From whom did Jesus learn how to pray?

40. When did Jesus pray?

41. How did Jesus pray during his passion?

42. How does Jesus teach us to pray?

43. Why is our prayer efficacious?

44. How did the Virgin Mary pray?

45. Is there a prayer of Mary in the Gospel?

46. How did the first Christian community in Jerusalem pray?

47. How does the Holy Spirit intervene in the Church’s prayer?

48. What are the essential forms of Christian prayer?

49. What is “blessing”?

50. How can adoration be defined?

51. What are the different forms of the prayer of petition?

52. In what does the prayer of intercession consist?

53. When is thanksgiving given to God?

54. What is the prayer of praise?

55. What is the importance of Tradition in regard to prayer?

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