Friday, January 19, 2018

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 386 – Part I.



YOUCAT Question n. 386 – Part I. Why does the Fifth Commandment protect the physical and spiritual integrity of a human being as well?


(Youcat answer) The right to life and human dignity form a unity; they are inseparably connected to each other. It is possible to put a person to death spiritually also.   

A deepening through CCC

(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. (CCC 2326) Scandal is a grave offense when by deed or omission it deliberately leads others to sin.       

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) The commandment “You shall not kill” (Ex 20:13) applies to both physical and spiritual integrity. Every seduction and incitement to evil, every use of force is a serious sin, especially when it occurs in a relationship of dependency. The sin is especially evil when the dependence of children on adults is involved. This means not only sexual abuse, but also spiritual seduction by parents, priests, teachers, or educators who lead their charges astray from values, and so on.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2285) Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Mt 18:6; Cf. 1 Cor 8:10-13). Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep's clothing (Cf. Mt 7:15).      

(This question: Why does the Fifth Commandment protect the physical and spiritual integrity of a human being as well? is continued)

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