What does it mean to be human?

 humans were created in the “image and likeness of God”  we have a physical body, and a spiritual and immortal soul.  Our soul gives us the desire for more than just a physical existence; it causes us to ask many questions, such as:  Who am I?  What am I here for?  Why do I exist?  What does it all mean?

Our spiritual nature separates us from all other creatures, with the following special gifts: 1.Ability to think 2.Free will 3.Ability to love 4.Responsible beings 5.Capacity to grow

Ability To Think  we are rational beings, with the ability to think  we can figure out problems  we can discover truth, especially about moral law (what is right and wrong)  we are able to hear – and understand God’s voice which urges us to do good and avoid evil. moral– the right thing to do in a situation. eg. Helping someone who is hurt, donating time. immoral - the wrong thing to do in a situation. eg. Murder, stealing, lying amoral (non – moral) – not an issue of right ort wrong. eg. choosing which colour pen to use, eating an apple.

Free Will  the ability to choose between alternatives  we are able to make our own choices, so we are responsible for them, and the result of them  allows us to determine our own lives and futures. eg. just because our family may be prejudice does not mean that we will.  Allows us to exercise some control over our lives by using our God-given talents and by cooperating with the many graces he has given us.

Ability To Love  choosing to do good for other people, even to the point of personal sacrifice, describes love.  We are called to love God, ourselves, and our neighbours above all else.

Responsible Beings  we are responsible for our choices, and the results of them.  when we choose to do what God asks, we are being moral.  When we choose to ignore God, we are being immoral (sinning)

Capacity To Grow  we can learn from the past and change. eg. slavery  we can become less self-centred and look more toward the needs of others.

Catholic Social Justice “the teaching that attempts to understand how societies work and what moral principles and values ought to guide them”  rooted in Hebrew Scripture, where the prophets proclaimed God’s special love for the poor and called his people to be just, loving and peace-filled.  flows primarily from the life and words of Jesus, who came to proclaim the good news to the poor, and to teach his followers how to recognize and respond to the least in our midst.

 also comes from reflecting on what God has revealed to us about Himself, the community in which we live, and human love and dignity.  these teachings are a body of doctrine that the Church has developed, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, to apply the gospel of Jesus to our lives together as members of one human family.  it has 3 aspects:  It gives us principles for reflection  It provides criteria for Judgment  It gives guidelines for action (CCC 2423)  Why is it important? Because you are called to be Jesus’ body today, to carry on his work.  Fundamental Tenets: equality, justice, inclusion, social responsibility, human solidarity, and promotion of the common good.

Liberation: Freedom With Responsibility  the older we get, the more freedoms – and responsibilities we get  many of these freedoms and responsibilities are governed by licence in society (driving, drinking, marriage, jobs, etc) and by our families (chores, curfew, dating, etc)  events and situations in our lives (past, present, and future) may threaten or restrict our futures  our responses to the situation is based on our inner freedom, and will determine our own happiness.

 Individual responsibility -requires intelligence (to know the truth) and freedom (free will) We are in control of our own lives and reactions to situations  Social responsibility -We have an obligation to love and support others. We must recognize that our actions affect others.  External freedom -liberates us from external factors (like tyranny, slavery, oppression) that limits our power to choose.  Internal freedom -liberates us from the internal factors (like fear) that limit choice

 True freedom -enables us to live our lives for God and others. The more we do what is good, the more free we become.  License -the opposite of freedom; the unbridled freedom to choose without responsibility.  Free Will -the power rooted in reason (the ability to think) and will to choose.  Threats to Freedom:  ignorance  fear  habit  obsession  stress  peer pressure