#26. Read through your journal entries. Contemplate all you have written. Reflect on your own reflections.

"Hope" is the thing with feathers— That perches in the soul— And sings the tune without the words — And never stops—at all— What is the most hopeful part of your life?

#28. How aware are you of your personal goodness and beauty?

Freedom: Speech Worship Fear Want #29. How do you know you are growing in freedom?

#30. How does it feel to listen to Nick? How can he be free?

Free Will What does it mean to have a free will? What is the most challenging aspect of being given a free will? Why? Be specific. What is the best aspect of being given a free will? Be specific. What is the difference between being a free person and being a person who does whatever she feels like doing? Give an example. Why did God give us a free will? Do you think God has ever regretted giving us a free will? If yes, why? If not, why?

“Free will is not the liberty to do whatever one likes, but the power of doing whatever one sees ought to be done, even in the very face of otherwise overwhelming impulse. There lies freedom, indeed.” What is free will?

The Marshmallow Experiment We are free to choose. In making choices are we able to delay immediate gratification in order to receive a greater good? Delaying gratification requires self- knowledge and self-discipline. Using free will maturely requires self- knowledge and self-discipline.

"if you touch it anywhere, you set the whole thing trembling....”

Our Ripple Effect Each choice of mine affects the whole. What I do—what I do not do ---affects the whole.

How to use Free Will Remember who you are. (Your true identity) BCG---FWD Doubting your identity creates confusion. The consequence of doubting your true identity is making a poor choice. Example of forgetting identity: “Adam and Eve.” Genesis 3:1-13 Example of remembering identity: Jesus in the Temptations in the Desert Mt. 4:1-11

Chapter 3 Freedom and Responsibility Freedom makes us responsible for our choices and actions. How we use our freedom determines if we will grow in holiness or if we will sin. DETERMINISM: denies that humans are free to choose. Our faith does NOT agree with determinism.

Kinds of Freedom External Freedom Freedom from factors outside of ourselves that threaten or destroy our power to make choices. Internal Freedom from internal factors that limit our choices.

External

EXTERNAL

Internal

INTERNAL

Freedom Do we measure freedom by the number of choices we have? Are we more free if we have more choices?

Human Freedom Is not absolute Is limited Unlimited freedom is License. License is: excessive, undisciplined freedom that abuses true liberty.

Limits of Freedom Physical Intellectual Emotional Experiential Psychological Social

Limits of Freedom Impediments –Can limit our responsibility for some actions. Ignorance Inadvertence Duress Inordinate Attachments Fear Habit

May I be free from fear. May I be free from suffering. May I be happy. May I be filled with loving kindness. May you be free from fear. May you be free from suffering. May you be happy. May you be filled with loving kindness. May all people everywhere be filled with loving kindness.

Class Assignment Read the following three Scripture stories. As you read each story take notes-- jotting down important aspects of each story. 1. Genesis 3: Genesis 25: Matthew 4: 1-11 When your reading/note taking is complete, look over the three stories. Pay attention to what is similar in each one and what is different. Write a five sentence reflection on the similarities and the differences. Will be collected at the end of the period.

Limits of Freedom If you want to grow in freedom: Pray for God’s help. Practice self-denial. Self denial: saying “no” to some wants in order to say “yes” to a greater want.

Saying “NO” in order to say “YES!” Eat Healthy!

Say “NO” in order to say “YES.” EXERCISE

Saying “NO” in order to say “YES.” Success in School

Saying “no” for a greater “yes.” Being trustworthy

Saying “NO” for a greater “YES.” Drive Safely

Saying “NO” in order to say “YES.” Being faithful

Emotions and Morality Emotions are morally neutral. Emotions need to be directed toward good. Use your will to direct your emotions and you will be free.

What Are Emotions? Emotions, often called feelings, include love, hate, anger, trust, joy, panic, fear, and grief.

What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence refers to people's ability to monitor their own and other people's emotional states and to use this information to act wisely in relationships.

Law and Morality Good law guides human freedom. Moral Law comes from the Trinity. It is reasonable, for the common good, from competent authority, and promulgated. NATURAL LAW The light of understanding in each one of us given to us at creation by God. NL is universal, permanent and unchanging. Applies to all peoples.

REVEALED LAW Made up of Old Law and Law of the Gospel, the Civil Law and Church Law. OLD LAW The Law of Moses The Decalogue---Ten Commandments. THE NEW LAW The Gospel of Jesus Christ The Two Greatest Commandments. The Sermon on the Mount

Church Law The Six Precepts of the Church –The minimal obligation of faithful Catholics. Canon Law: officially established rules for governing the Church. CIVIL LAW Taking natural law and applying it to society.