CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4

Jesus
as
Moral
Guide
Beatitudes Definition

Beatitude means “supreme happiness,” especially the eternal

happiness of heaven, which is described as the vision of God, or
entering into God’s rest.

The eight blessings preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount

that teach you about the supreme happiness in heaven to which
God calls you and confront you with decisive choices in order to
purify your heart so that you can love God above all things.

Called to Beatitude
The Eight Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean in heart, or they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus as Moral Guide
Beatific Vision
The contemplation of God in heavenly glory; the source of our
eternal happiness (or beatitude); the final union with the Triune
God for all eternity.

Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has
not entered the human heart, (is) what God has
prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Jesus as Moral Guide

The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God refers to God’s
reconciling and renewing all things
through his Son and to his will being
done on earth as it is in heaven. The
process has begun with Jesus and
will be perfectly completed at the
end of time. The Kingdom of God—
proclaimed by Jesus and
inaugurated in his life, Death, and
Resurrection—is one of peace,
justice, and love.
Jesus as Moral Guide
 Repentance
A Two Part Process

Part I: FAITH
With faith, you can accept Jesus into your life, allow Jesus to live in you
by the power of the Holy Spirit, and make a serious effort to translate
into concrete actions Jesus’ teaching about how to live.

Part II: GRACE

Detaches you from Sin, enabling you to look at the world through God’s
eyes.

Jesus as Moral Guide

 Corporal Works of Mercy
Corporal Works of Mercy Biblical Reference
Feed the hungry. Proverbs 22:9; Isaiah 58:10; 2 Kings 4:42-44; Matthew 14:15-
21; 25:35; Luke 3:11; 9:12-17; John 6:35
Give drink to the thirsty. Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 25:35; John 6:35; John 7:37-39;
Revelation 21:6; 22:17
Clothe the naked. Matthew 25:36
Shelter the homeless. Matthew 25:35
Visit the sick. Matthew 25:36
Visit the imprisoned. Matthew 25:36
Bury the dead. Tobit 1:17-19

Jesus as Moral Guide

 Old Law
vs.
New Law

Jesus’ Teaching about Moral Living

 To bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to
others by what you say and how you live, in
Evangelize fulfillment of Christ’s command.

Jesus’ Teaching about Moral Living

Trust in God
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry
about your life, what you will eat [or
drink], or about your body, what you
will wear. Is not life more than food
and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky; they do
not sow or reap, they gather nothing
into barns, yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are not you more
important than they?” (Mt 6:25–26)

Jesus’ Teaching about Moral Living

 Three Rules for Moral Living
1. Enter through the narrow gate.
(Mt7:13–14)
1. Pray with trust in your heart.
(Mt 7:21–23)
1. Build your life on Christ’s words.
(Mt 7:24–27)

Jesus’ Teaching about Moral Living

Cardinal Virtues
Four human, or moral, virtues play a “pivotal role” (CCC, 1805) in the moral life: prudence, justice, fortitude, and
temperance are called the cardinal virtues, from the Latin word cardo, meaning “hinge.”

Virtue How it is applied

Prudence Helps apply moral principles to concrete cases.
Justice Respect the rights of all humans.
Fortitude Offers faith and courage to stand firm in convictions.
Temperance Involves moderation and fights greed, gluttony, and
lust

Jesus as a Moral Guide

Theological Virtues
infused into your soul by God

Faith

Hope Love
Forming a Christlike Moral Identity
 Temptations against Faith
incredulity A mental disposition that either neglects revealed truth or
willfully refuses to accept it.
heresy Obstinate denial or doubt by a baptized person of some truth
about God and faith that must be believed.
apostasy The total rejection of Jesus Christ (and the Christian faith) by
a baptized Catholic.
schism Refusal to submit to the pope’s authority or to remain in union
with members of the Catholic Church.

Foundations of Catholic Morality

Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts
conferred at Baptism that aid in living a Christian life.
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel (right judgment)
Fortitude (courage)
Knowledge
Piety (reverence)
Fear of the Lord (wonder and awe)
Jesus as Moral Guide
 Fruits of the Holy Spirit

• Charity • Generosity
• Joy • Gentleness
• Faithfulness
• Peace
• Modesty
• Patience • Self-control
• Kindness • Chastity
• Goodness

Jesus as Moral Guide

Discipleship
The mandate of all
baptized
Christians to
follow Jesus and
participate in his
role as priest,
prophet, and king.
Discipleship
Three-fold Offices of Christ for Laity

Kingly Priestly
Office Office

Prophetic
Office
Discipleship
 Consecrated Life
Consecrated Life Formal vow to dedicate themselves to
evangelical counsels

Contemplative Orders of religious men or women that mainly

orders include prayer

Apostolic Orders Emphasizes active ministries like caring for the

poor and sick, teaching or preaching

Hermits Women or men who live on the grounds of a

monastery or hermitage; involved in constant
prayer
Widows and Women who lead a life of prayer, penance,
consecrated virgins service and apostolic work

Discipleship
References
• Works of mercy: https://fwdioc.org/works-of-mercy.pdf