Lesson Four – Forgiveness and Virtue

Walking alone down a school corridor, you spot an open locker. A few dollars and some coins are clearly visible in the locker. What is your immediate reaction……..close the locker so nothing is stolen, or take the money and hope to get away with it? Your parent asks you to help with some work around the house. Are you thinking, What excuse can I come up with to get out of this, or I’m happy to do my part? Because of an accident that just occurred ahead of you on a busy freeway, you are one of many drivers caught in traffic. Do you think, Unbelievable! Now I’ll be late for work/school, or I hope nobody is seriously hurt? A new student arrives at school. Is your reaction, I’m going to make her feel welcome here, or she’d better not try to move in on my friends? Your parents work late. They tell you not to have friends over until they get home. They have no way of checking on you. Do you plan on honoring or ignoring their request? Focus and Ponder # 4 - Respond to each of the five scenarios. Then describe in a paragraph what your answers might say about your moral character?

Character – those features and attributes that make up our individuality It is shaped by: --Our background --habitual patterns --influence of friends --genetic make-up --religious upbringing Vices – character weaknesses (bad qualities, habits, and patterns of behavior) which incline us to actions that are harmful to ourselves and others Virtues – character strengths (good qualities, habits, and patterns of behavior) which incline us to make good moral decisions – remember Unit 1??? Remember Unit 1 ???

Faith --trusting and believing in God -- a grace given to us by God -- an act of the Church which precedes and makes possible individual faith, supporting and nourishing the faith of all believers -- a human act, a conscious and free act on our part to respond to God’s grace Read pg 104 – Section entitled “Faith” Oh My Lord – “Glory”

A virtue of Trust and Responsibility NOT a “wish list” of things that we would like to see happen Things to which we are willing to dedicate ourselves Instead of passivity, hope implies trusting in God and cooperating with His grace Intimately tied to responsibility, is future-oriented and means taking seriously the consequences of our actions Hope Read pg section entitled “Hope” Another Story Must Begin – “Les Miserables”

Charity – (LOVE) --the cornerstone of virtues -- NOT “romantic” love -- concern for God, manifested by concern for others above all else -- sometimes considered passive – NOT being loveable, but loving (verb) instead Read pg 107 – Section entitled “Charity” Coach Gaines on Being Perfect - “Friday Night Lights”

Prudence – the virtue of making right judgments Read pgs 110 – 112 – “The Cardinal Virtues” Justice – the virtue of rights and responsibilities Fortitude – the courage to act Temperance – the virtue of self-control Do What You Think is Right – “The Rainmaker” Skeeter Needs Abilene’s Help – “The Help” I Will Not Fight – “The Patriot” One More Person – “Schindler’s List”

“Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” Remember… - An anonymous poem quoted by Richard M. Gula, Moral Discernment Yep… you guessed it! Unit 1 again!

One Last Thing to Consider…. It is not enough to simply be aware of sin and virtue Jesus showed us through His model, the virtuous life that we should strive to live….however we must not forget that because we are human, we all will sin. Therefore, we must recognize the importance of FORGIVENESS in repairing our relationship with God when we sin!

Jesus preached the Good News of forgiveness There are many examples from scripture God’s forgiveness is freely given In order to receive it though, we must: – Admit the sin – Be truly sorry for it – Make a real effort to change When we pray the “Our Father”, we are praying that God will forgive our sins as we forgive others’ If we refuse to forgive, we cannot expect God to forgive us! Did You Show Up in Vienna? – “Before Sunset”