Sunday, December 2, 2012
375. What norms must conscience always follow?
(Comp 375) There are three general norms: 1) one may never do evil so that good may
result from it; 2) the so-called Golden Rule, “Whatever you wish that men would
do to you, do so to them” (Matthew 7:12); 3) charity always proceeds by way of
respect for one’s neighbor and his conscience, even though this does not mean
accepting as good something that is objectively evil.
“In brief”
(CCC 1800)
A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience. (CCC
1802) The Word of God is a light for our path. We
must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. This is how
moral conscience is formed.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1789) Some rules apply in
every case: - One may never do evil so that good may result from it; - the
Golden Rule: "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to
them" (Mt 7:12; cf. Lk 6:31; Tob 4:15) - charity always proceeds by way of
respect for one's neighbor and his conscience: "Thus sinning against your
brethren and wounding their conscience… you sin against Christ" (1 Cor
8:12). Therefore "it is right not to… do anything that makes your brother
stumble" (Rom 14:21).
Reflection
(CCC 1970) The Law of the Gospel requires us to make the
decisive choice between "the two ways" and to put into practice the
words of the Lord (Cf. Mt 7:13-14,21-27). It is summed up in the Golden Rule, "Whatever you wish
that men would do to you, do so to them; this is the law and the prophets"
(Mt 7:12; cf. Lk 6:31). The entire Law of the Gospel is contained in the "new commandment" of Jesus, to love
one another as he has loved us (Cf. Jn 15:12; 13:34). (CCC 1971) To the Lord's
Sermon on the Mount it is fitting to add the moral catechesis of the apostolic teachings, such as Romans 12-15, 1 Corinthians 12-13, Colossians
3-4, Ephesians 4-5, etc. This
doctrine hands on the Lord's teaching with the authority of the apostles,
particularly in the presentation of the virtues that flow from faith in Christ
and are animated by charity, the principal gift of the Holy Spirit. "Let
charity be genuine.... Love one another with brotherly affection.... Rejoice in
your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the
needs of the saints, practice hospitality" (Rom 12:9-13). This catechesis
also teaches us to deal with cases of conscience in the light of our
relationship to Christ and to the Church (Cf. Rom 14; 1 Cor 5-10).
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