466. Why must human life be respected? (part 2 continuation)
(Comp 466 repetition) 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 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. (CCC 2320) The murder of a human being is
gravely contrary to the dignity of the person and the holiness of the
Creator.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2260) The covenant between God and mankind is
interwoven with reminders of God's gift of human life and man's murderous
violence: For your lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning.... Whoever
sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his
own image (Gen 9:5-6). The Old Testament always considered blood a sacred sign
of life (Cf. Lev 17:14). This teaching remains necessary for all time. (CCC 2261)
Scripture specifies the prohibition contained in the fifth commandment:
"Do not slay the innocent and the righteous" (Ex 23:7). The
deliberate murder of an innocent person is gravely contrary to the dignity of
the human being, to the golden rule, and to the holiness of the Creator. The
law forbidding it is universally valid: it obliges each and everyone, always
and everywhere.
Reflection
(CCC 2262) In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord recalls the
commandment, "You shall not kill" (Mt 5:21) and adds to it the
proscription of anger, hatred, and vengeance. Going further, Christ asks his
disciples to turn the other cheek, to love their enemies (Cf. Mt 5:22-39;
5:44). He did not defend himself and told Peter to leave his sword in its
sheath (Cf. Mt 26:52). (CCC 2284) Scandal is an attitude or behavior which
leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's
tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into
spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is
deliberately led into a grave offense. [END]
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