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Chapter 1

Chapter 1. The Gift of Being Human. Act Human. Some advice on how to help us be true to ourselves Everyone doesn’t have to like us – the approval of others does not make us who we are. It’s ok to make mistakes

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Chapter 1

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  1. Chapter 1 The Gift of Being Human

  2. Act Human • Some advice on how to help us be true to ourselves • Everyone doesn’t have to like us – the approval of others does not make us who we are. • It’s ok to make mistakes • Other people are ok. So are you. – disagreeing with one another doesn’t mean we can’t respect one another. • You don’t have to control everything. – we must learn how to acceot other people’s and our own limitations. • We are responsible for how we feel and what we do – we can control our reactions and the way we respond; we have to be owners rather than blamers. • It is important to try. • We are capable and can change. The same is true for others – our past does not have to force us to be a certain way. • We can be flexible – there is more than one way to do something

  3. Humans Are made in the divine Image • Read Genesis 1:26-31 • The passage offers profound insights on being human • God created humans out of love. We are creatures, not creators. • Humans are the crown of God’s creation. He commands us to care for creation. • God made us in His divine image • God made humans to be male and female. It’s not an accident of nature. • All that God created is good.

  4. God is the creator • God’s greatness and goodness can be seen in His gift of creation. • God is our creator and keeps us in existence. • When we forget about God, or make ourselves gods, we wreak havoc in creation. • Starting point of morality  admitting that we are creatures

  5. Human’s Place In Creation • God created everything for humans and placed them in charge. • Humans are called to be stewards of God’s creation. We fail in this responsibility when we do not care for one another and for the earth. • Humans are created to know, love, and serve God in this life and in the next.

  6. God makes us in his divine image • God created us in His divine image – meaning, God has endowed us with godlike qualities – to think, choose, love, and relate to others. • These qualities enable us to share in God’s own life. • Because we were created in God’s image, we possess dignity, value, and worth. • Through the grace of Baptism, we can enter into a a relationship with God and respond in faith and love.

  7. God made us male and female • God created us as complementary beings – as male and female. • Complementary – making up for what is lacking in another. We are interdependent on one another. • God created male and female in equal dignity – as a complement to each other. • Humans are creatures of body and soul. • Humans are sexual beings – meaning that we are meant to be in relationships. • Marriage has always been understood as a union between a man and a woman. • Christians believe that definition of marriage – it’s nature and purpose comes from God – not from civil law or even the Church. • Only the sacramental union between a husband and wife can natural procreation and education of children take place that is consistent with God’s plan.

  8. Some points regarding catholic teaching on homosexuality • Science points out that same-sex attraction is more of an intermingling of genetics and environment – like most human behaviors. • Same-sex attraction may not be a choice, while homosexual behavior is. Being attracted to another, doesn’t mean it’s good for us to give-in. • The Church makes a distinction between the behavior and the person. Christ hates the sin, but loves the sinner. • How one “feels” or how one is attracted does not define who we are. • Identity labels (gay, lesbian, straight etc. ) do not determine a person’s identity, who we are as sons and daughters of God is our identity. • Proper friendship with the same gender is essential and can help a person develop confidence about his/her sexual identity, and form one’s understanding of relationship with the opposite sex.

  9. Creation is good • Scripture tells us that creation and human creation are good. • The first humans were in harmony with God – working with God was seen as a collaboration, rather than toil. • Humans were created for friendship with God; even after we have sinned, God “gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) • Human life have purpose and meaning despite what nihilismclaims – which denies that there’s meaning or purpose in life.

  10. Human dignity • Dignity is a quality of being worthy of esteem and respect. • Dignity is inherent – it is not something earned -- by the virtue that we were created in the divine image of God and called to eternal life with Him. • Our sinfulness and lack of talent, possession, or productivity does not lessen our dignity. Our dignity comes from a loving God who created us and sent His Son to die for us. • Jesus died on the Cross for every human person that existed, exists, and will exist. • Human dignity means everyone is someone, not something.

  11. ACTIVITY/DISCUSSION • Identify various groups of people in the school? • What are some things we can do as a school community to ensure that each group is treated with dignity and respect?

  12. OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE • Human beings is a composite of body and soul. The human soul is immortal. • The soul gives us the ability to think, have free-will, to love, to respond, and to grow. • Ability to think – we can discover the truth; we can recognize God’s voice which urges us to do good and avoid evil. • Free-will – ability to choose deliberately and take responsibility for one’s actions; can help determine who we are. • Ability to love – choosing to do good for the sake of the other; it is our most godlike quality. • Responsible beings –we are accountable for our choices and can result in good or evil. • Capacity to grow –we can learn from our sins and mistakes

  13. True Freedom • Freedom is not a license to do as we pleased. • Actions that are wrong diminishes and destroys freedom. • True freedom is being able to say NO to negativity, animal instincts, and worldly temptations, and being able to say YES to what we ought to do and to choose what is excellent, noble, and good. • To be free is to master ourselves and be our best selves. • Example • – being able to play well in a sportafter hours of practice and workout; being able to go to college, study hard, and apply for a job.

  14. Principle of Subsidiarity • Subsidiarity – the principle of Catholic social teaching that holds that a higher unit of society should not do or interfere what a lower unit can do as well [or better]. • Some examples: • Allowing people to address their concerns at a local level • Parents’ authority preferred over that of the state – especially in religious matters • Higher authorities respecting and supporting the autonomy of local institutions and community. • Whenever possible, the Church prefers and encourage societies and governments to practice the principle of subsidiarity

  15. The Common Good • All societies and communities should promote the common good– which is the sum of the social conditions allowing groups and individuals to reach their potential fully and easily. • Societies that promote the common good are societies that: • Respect the basic rights of each human being (ex: protecting the unborn and the elderly and infirm) • Promote the well-being and development of various class, groups, and individuals (ex: giving educational opportunities to the poor, providing assistance to single parents, ensuring that all peoples are treated fairly and justly – Civil Rights Movement) • Christians are called to be in solidarity with one another especially the forgotten and most vulnerable of our society. Solidarity entails that we share our material and spiritual gifts with others.

  16. The Social Nature of Humans • As creatures created in the image and likeness of the Trinitarian God – which is a communion of three distinct persons, but one God… Humans are also by nature, drawn to be in relationships and community. • We are “programmed” as social beings. • Our choices in life – whether good or bad, affects not only us, but also others.

  17. Humans are wounded by sin • As descendants of Adam and Eve, all human beings are born wounded by sin and inclined to evil (concupiscence) and error – this condition is know as Original Sin • Our sinful choices and behaviors have brought about consequences on individuals, groups, and societies– especially the weak and vulnerable (ex. Genocide in Rwanda; Godfather Trilogy). • God sent to us His Son, Jesus to save us from our hopeless situation. • Jesus not only showed us how to live moral and upright lives, but by his Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension (Paschal Mystery), we also possess God’s gift of the Spirit (received at Baptism) and allowing us to gain eternal life.

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