Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 294 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 294 - Part II. Is someone a sinner if he experiences strong passions within himself?

(Youcat answer - repeated) No, passions can be very valuable. They are designed to lead to and reinforce good actions; only when they are disordered do the passions contribute to evil.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1769) In the Christian life, the Holy Spirit himself accomplishes his work by mobilizing the whole being, with all its sorrows, fears and sadness, as is visible in the Lord's agony and passion. In Christ human feelings are able to reach their consummation in charity and divine beatitude. (CCC 1770) Moral perfection consists in man's being moved to the good not by his will alone, but also by his sensitive appetite, as in the words of the psalm: "My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God" (Ps 84:2).     

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Passions that are ordered to the good become virtues. They then become the motive force of a life of fighting for love and justice. Passions that overpower a person, rob him of his freedom and entice him to evil, we call vice.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1773) In the passions, as movements of the sensitive appetite, there is neither moral good nor evil. But insofar as they engage reason and will, there is moral good or evil in them. (CCC 1774) Emotions and feelings can be taken up in the virtues or perverted by the vices. (CCC 1775) The perfection of the moral good consists in man's being moved to the good not only by his will but also by his "heart."    

(The next question is: What is conscience?)