Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 302.

YOUCAT Question n. 302 - How does one act justly?

(Youcat answer) One acts justly by always making sure to give to God and to one’s neighbor what is due to them.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1807 a) Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion." Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good.

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) The guiding principle of justice is: “To each his due”. A child with a disability and a highly gifted child must be encouraged in different ways so that each may fulfill his potential. Justice is concerned with equity and longs to see people get that to which they are entitled. We must allow justice to govern our relations with God also and give him what is his: our love and worship.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1807 b) The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual bright thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor" (Lev 19:15). "Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven" (Col 4:1). (CCC 1836) Justice consists in the firm and constant will to give God and neighbor their due.

(The next question is: What does it mean to have fortitude?)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 301.

YOUCAT Question n. 301 - How does a person become prudent?

(Youcat answer)  A person becomes prudent by learning to distinguish what is essential from what is nonessential, to set the right goals and to choose the best means of attaining them.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1806 a) Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is going" (Prov 14:15). "Keep sane and sober for your prayers" (1 Pet 4:7). Prudence is "right reason in action," writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh II-II, 47, 2). It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. 1806 a

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) The virtue of prudence directs all the other virtues. For prudence is the ability to recognize what is right. After all, someone who wants to lead a good life must know what the “good” is and recognize its worth. Like the merchant in the Gospel “who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Mt 13:46). Only a prudent person can apply the virtues of justice, fortitude, and moderation so as to do good.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1806 b)  It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid. (CCC 1835) Prudence disposes the practical reason to discern, in every circumstance, our true good and to choose the right means for achieving it. 

(The next question is: How does one act justly?)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 300 – Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 300 - Part III. Why do we have to work to form our character?

(Youcat answer - repeated) We must work at forming our character so that we can freely, joyfully, and easily accomplish what is good. A firm faith in God, in the first place, helps us to do this, but also the practice of the virtues, which means developing within ourselves, with God’s help, firm dispositions, not giving ourselves over to disorderly passions, and directing our faculties of intellect and will more and more consistently toward the good.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1834) The human virtues are stable dispositions of the intellect and the will that govern our acts, order our passions, and guide our conduct in accordance with reason and faith. They can be grouped around the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. 

  Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) The most important virtues are: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance. These are also called the “cardinal virtues” (from Latin cardo = hinge, or from cardinalis = principal).

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1839) The moral virtues grow through education, deliberate acts, and perseverance in struggle. Divine grace purifies and elevates them.

(The next question is: How does a person become prudent?)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 300 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 300 - Part II. Why do we have to work to form our character?

(Youcat answer - repeated) We must work at forming our character so that we can freely, joyfully, and easily accomplish what is good. A firm faith in God, in the first place, helps us to do this, but also the practice of the virtues, which means developing within ourselves, with God’s help, firm dispositions, not giving ourselves over to disorderly passions, and directing our faculties of intellect and will more and more consistently toward the good. 

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1810) Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good. The virtuous man is happy to practice them.   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) The most important virtues are: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance. These are also called the “cardinal virtues” (from Latin cardo = hinge, or from cardinalis = principal).

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1811) It is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance. Christ's gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil.

(This question: Why do we have to work to form our character? is continued)

Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 300 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 300 - Part I. Why do we have to work to form our character?

(Youcat answer) We must work at forming our character so that we can freely, joyfully, and easily accomplish what is good. A firm faith in God, in the first place, helps us to do this, but also the practice of the virtues, which means developing within ourselves, with God’s help, firm dispositions, not giving ourselves over to disorderly passions, and directing our faculties of intellect and will more and more consistently toward the good.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1804) Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good. The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love.  

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) The most important virtues are: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance. These are also called the “cardinal virtues” (from Latin cardo = hinge, or from cardinalis = principal).

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1805) Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called "cardinal"; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. "If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom's] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage" (Wis 8:7). These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture.

(This question: Why do we have to work to form our character? is continued)