CHRISTIAN MORALITY:

LIVING AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

CHRISTIAN MORALITY – living and doing
what makes us truly free in the light of the
life and teachings of Christ. It is all about
our daily following of Christ also known as
discipleship
 PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN
MORALITY
1. FREEDOM - choosing and doing what is
right
2. CONSCIENCE - the voice of God in the
innermost core of our being,
urging us to do what is right
and avoid what is evil
3. DIGNITY - our worth and value as
persons: being made in
God’s image and likeness
 PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN
MORALITY
4. SIN - a violation of our goodness
as persons
- a rejection of God’s love
5. LAW - an ordinance of reason
promulgated by competent
authorities for the sake of
the COMMON GOOD
(St. Thomas Aquinas)
CHRIST: THE ULTIMATE MORAL NORM
 Christ’s Call
• Repentance
Reforming one’s life
• Discipleship
Come, follow me!
• Love
Others oriented
• New Law of the Spirit
• The Beatitudes
Jesus was obedient to the
fathers will
• Jesus shows us how to be
Obedient. John 6:38
“For I have come down from
heaven not to do my will but to
do the will of him who sent me.”
• Luke 22:42 "Father, if You are
willing, remove this cup from
Me; yet not My will, but Yours be
done."
 Jesus lives a life of prayer
• Jesus was a man
communicating with
God in a familiar and
intimate manner
(Luke 10:21).
• He often withdraws
from the pressures of
daily life to pray in a
quiet place (Luke
5:16) (Luke 8:12-15).
Jesus lives a life of service to others

Jesus’ Attitude towards

Service

“Servant Leader”
Jesus washes the feet of his
disciples (John 13:1-15).
 Jesus acts as an advocate for
the poor
• The gospels provide
many examples of
Jesus taking the side
of the poor and
oppressed
• Lk. 4:18 Lk. 6:20-21, Mk. 10:21,
• Mt.11:5, Mt.5:42
Jesus loves and forgives others
• Furthermore he is shown as being
ever willing to forgive the failings
of others.
– Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son
– Lk. 15:25-37 Parable of the God Samaritan
– John 8:2-11 The stoning of the woman
– Mt. 18:21-35 Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Jesus Sacrificed His Life for our Salvation

• The final example

which highlights the
role of Jesus as a
model for Christian
life is His total self-
giving, laying down
His life on the cross
for our salvation.
The Greatest Commandment
The Good Samaritan (Lk. 10: 25-37)
Jesus calls us not just to have a God-
centered Morality but also
Human-centered.
 Come, follow Me.
To be a Christian means to be like
Jesus.
NATURES OF THE HUMAN PERSON:

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 MORAL AGENT: THE HUMAN PERSON

STEPS IN MORAL DECISION-MAKING:

SEE: What is the situation? What are the values at
stake? What are the possible consequences if I
make this decision? How will it affect others?

JUDGE: What does the Gospel say about this

situation? What does the teachings of the Church
say about this situation? What would Jesus do if
He is in my situation?
 MORAL AGENT: THE HUMAN PERSON

STEPS IN MORAL DECISION-MAKING:

ACT: Pray for the wisdom and strength to come
up with a wise decision. Based on the situation,
the possible outcomes and the teachings of Christ
and of the Church, what steps or decision should I
make?