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Theo 1
Theo 1
Module 1
“Sensitivity to the Beautiful as Filipino Moral Sensibility”
Ganda in general
Ganda stands for a delight-bringing totality. It is “not a mere aspect of
social, intellectual, and material reality” but “the sum total of katangian (traits)
associated with anything”. That is why we consider pleasant physical
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For Student’s Use Only HAU – Theology 102
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For Student’s Use Only HAU – Theology 102
REFERENCE
De Mesa, Jose and Cacho, R. (2012). When Beauty Beckons. Manila: St.
Scholastica’s College, pages 15-39
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Module 2
Jesus: Ang lubos na kaaya-ayang mukha ng Kagandahang loob.
The face (mukha) serves as our distinctive identity. We are known for our face.
Hence, face is an important element of our relational reality as it displays what is in
our kalooban at least in several times if not at all times. At some time, we even
manifest God’s kagandahang-loob but there are also times wherein we do otherwise.
The face is not only a literal identification of a person; it is also a symbolic one referring
to a character (e.g. walang mukha (terribly shamed), makapal ang mukha
(shameless), mukhang pera (only money counts) and di maipintang mukha (very
angry)).
Yet, when we speak of a person who perfectly revealed the face of the invisible
God, we can only point to Jesus Christ. Jesus modeled to us how it is possible to
internalize the gracious goodness of God (pagsasaloob ng kagandahang-loob ng
Dios) through his prayerfulness. Also, he manifested to us a truly committed
pangangatawan (embodiment) of God’s kagandahang-loob through his ministry of
service. For this reason, we could say that Jesus Christ is indeed the kaaya-ayang
mukha ng kagandahang-loob ng Dios, worthy to be considered as the point reference
of our Christian way of life. That is why it is a must that faithful should be aware and
conscious for who is Jesus for them.
Core Ideas
Jesus Christ as the point reference of our Christian faith
He is our maxim for a Christian way of life.
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For Student’s Use Only HAU – Theology 102
compassion for humanity. Many found hope in the goodness of God because
he was a living proof of God’s kagandahang loob.
REFERENCE
De Mesa, Jose and Cacho, R. (2012). When Beauty Beckons. Manila: St.
Scholastica’s College, pages 15-39
Kasper, Walter (2015). Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian
Life (William Madges, Trans). Quezon City: Claretian Communications
Foundation Inc.
Wells, Samuel (2010). Christian Ethics: An Introductory Reader. UK: Blackwell
Publishing Ltd.
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For Student’s Use Only HAU – Theology 102
Module number 3
As Beautiful Images of God: An Invitation to be Human
Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…So
God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male
and female he created them…God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it
was very beautiful.” - Gen. 1:26-27, 31
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For Student’s Use Only HAU – Theology 102
Aside from the dimensions, the STOP process of moral decision making that
was presented by Emily Webb (2013) will also be dicussed.
Image of God
According to Cacho and De Mesa (2012), “To be made as God’s image in a
world that did not think much about their worth was a double declaration. It
was an endorsement of the inherent goodness of humans and, at the same
time, it offered the challenge to be human by exercising responsibility” (p.123).
Human Person Adequately Considered (HPAC)
• Precondition: A Morally good disposition = one is truly seeking for the
good
• Discernment of a Morally Good Act consists in considering eight
dimensions of the human person in any moral issue one faces
• Synthesized by Belgian theologian Louis Janssen from the Vatican II
document Gaudium et Spes (Joys and Hopes): Pastoral Constitution of
the Church in the Modern World
Dimensions of the Human Person
• The human person as a subject (mayloob)
• Loob (will) – font of consciousness (GS15); a moral subject has
consciousness
1. Possesses freedom (GS17) [kusang-loob]
AUTHENTIC FREEDOM is not just doing and saying what I want,
but doing what is good. Understanding freedom as doing what I want
violates freedom as relational. This is its very nature because we always
exercise our freedom in relation with others (Shared freedom). Sin on
the other hand is an abuse of freedom because we invade the freedom
of others according to CFC. This explains why sin as stated by Cacho
and De Mesa (2012) is pandaraya because it is deliberate and
intentional and therefore an abuse of freedom; and
2. conscience (GS16) [makataong-loob]
In a simple way conscience is defined as a voice within us telling
us to do what is good and avoid doing wrong because it makes us feel
guilty according to Ian knox (2003) though we all know it is not that all
simple. It is the conscience that judges the morality of the act
considering the object (nature of the act), the Intention and the
circumstances according to CFC. Furthermore, it is the conscience that
guides our freedom in making good moral decisions.
These are to be used in a responsible manner [matuwid na
pamamaraan] (GS 31).
3. CORPOREAL BEING (sumasakatawan)
“[One] is not allowed to despise his bodily life. Rather, he [she]
is obliged to regard his [her] body as good and honorable since God has
created it…” (GS 14)
Self-care/self-esteem is a virtue
4. MATERIAL BEING (Sumasakalikasan)
We are “beings-in-the world”; an integral part of the environment.
Implications: consider the effect of action on the environment
Through science and technology, we are co-creators of God in renewing
the world. (GS 53-62)
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For Student’s Use Only HAU – Theology 102
• Moral decisions are when you have to decide between what is the right
and wrong thing to do.
• Believe it or not, most people use the Bible or the Church to help guide
their moral decision making.
The following is a Fool-proof (if you actually take the time to think through it)
method of MDM
The STOP Sign Method for Making Moral Decisions.
• Search
• Think
• Others
• Pray
Another Method
• JESUS: Does this action serve others? Is it Loving?
• REASON/REVELATION: Is this action human? What does the Bible say
about it?
• CHURCH: What does our Church teach about this moral issue?
• LAW: Consider the natural law as well as the civil, church, and Divine law.
• IMAGINATION: Are there any creative ways to solve this problem?
• INSTINCT: What do your “guts” tell you about this issue
• VALUES: List them as the relate to the issue and rank them Is the proposed
act worth it?
• CONSCIENCE: Properly form it. Let it
REFERENCES
Cacho, R. & De Mesa, J. (2012). When Beauty Beckons. St. Scholastica College.
Manila, Philippines.
Knox, I. (2013). Theology for Teachers. Claretian Publiction. Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines.
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For Student’s Use Only HAU – Theology 102