466. Why must human life be respected? (part 1)
(Comp 466) Human life must be respected because it is sacred. From its beginning
human life involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a
special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. It is not lawful
for anyone directly to destroy an innocent human being. This is gravely
contrary to the dignity of the person and the holiness of the Creator. “Do not
slay the innocent and the righteous” (Exodus 23:7).
“In brief”
(CCC 2318) "In [God's] hand
is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job
12:10). (CCC 2319) Every human life, from the
moment of conception until death, is sacred because the human person has been
willed for its own sake in the image and likeness of the living and holy
God.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2258) "Human
life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action
of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who
is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its
end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to
destroy an innocent human being" (CDF, instruction, Donum
vitae, intro. 5).
Reflection
(CCC 2259) In the account of Abel's murder by his brother
Cain (Cf. Gen 4:8-12), Scripture reveals the presence of anger and envy in man,
consequences of original sin, from the beginning of human history. Man has
become the enemy of his fellow man. God declares the wickedness of this fratricide:
"What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me
from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its
mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand" (Gen 4:10-11). [IT CONTINUES]
No comments:
Post a Comment