Friday, May 3, 2013
480. What does the Lord ask of every person in regard to peace?
(Comp 480) The Lord proclaimed “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). He
called for peace of heart and denounced the immorality of anger which is a
desire for revenge for some evil suffered. He also denounced hatred which leads
one to wish evil on one’s neighbor. These attitudes, if voluntary and consented
to in matters of great importance, are mortal sins against charity.
“In brief”
(CCC 2330) "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9).
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2302) By recalling the commandment, "You shall not
kill" (Mt 5:21), our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous
anger and hatred as immoral. Anger is
a desire for revenge. "To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone
who should be punished is illicit," but it is praiseworthy to impose
restitution "to correct vices and maintain justice" (St. Thomas
Aquinas, STh II-II, 158, 1 ad 3). If
anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a
neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin. The Lord says, "Everyone
who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment" (Mt 5:22).
Reflection
(CCC 2303) Deliberate hatred
is contrary to charity. Hatred of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately
wishes him evil. Hatred of the neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately
desires him grave harm. "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in
heaven" (Mt 5:44-45).
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