Tit 2, 6-8 Showing yourself as a model of good deeds

(Tit 2, 6-8) Showing yourself as a model of good deeds

[6] Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, [7] showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, [8] and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us.

(CCC 1700) The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God; it is fulfilled in his vocation to divine beatitude. It is essential to a human being freely to direct himself to this fulfillment. By his deliberate actions, the human person does, or does not, conform to the good promised by God and attested by moral conscience. Human beings make their own contribution to their interior growth; they make their whole sentient and spiritual lives into means of this growth. With the help of grace they grow in virtue, avoid sin, and if they sin they entrust themselves as did the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32) to the mercy of our Father in. In this way they attain to the perfection of charity. (CCC 1702) The divine image is present in every man. It shines forth in the communion of persons, in the likeness of the union of the divine persons among themselves. (CCC 1703) Endowed with "a spiritual and immortal" soul (GS 14 § 2), the human person is "the only creature on earth that God has willed for its own sake" (GS 24 § 3). From his conception, he is destined for eternal beatitude. (CCC 1704) The human person participates in the light and power of the divine Spirit. By his reason, he is capable of understanding the order of things established by the Creator. By free will, he is capable of directing himself toward his true good. He finds his perfection "in seeking and loving what is true and good" (GS 15 § 2). (CCC 1705) By virtue of his soul and his spiritual powers of intellect and will, man is endowed with freedom, an "outstanding manifestation of the divine image" (GS 17). (CCC 1706) By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God which urges him "to do what is good and avoid what is evil" (GS 16). Everyone is obliged to follow this law, which makes itself heard in conscience and is fulfilled in the love of God and of neighbor. Living a moral life bears witness to the dignity of the person. (CCC 1714) Man, having been wounded in his nature by original sin, is subject to error and inclined to evil in exercising his freedom. (CCC 1715) He who believes in Christ has new life in the Holy Spirit. The moral life, increased and brought to maturity in grace, is to reach its fulfillment in the glory of heaven. (CCC 1639) The consent by which the spouses mutually give and receive one another is sealed by God himself (Cf. Mk 10:9). From their covenant arises "an institution, confirmed by the divine law,… even in the eyes of society" (GS 48 § 1). The covenant between the spouses is integrated into God's covenant with man: "Authentic married love is caught up into divine love" (GS 48 § 2).