Charity in truth In a world dominated by moral relativism, “what is truth?” According to Patrick Madrid, “the answer, from a Catholic perspective, is Jesus Christ… ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’” Morality is “objective truth given by God, not to ruin our lives, but to make us truly free”[1]. Charity, on…
Category: Catholic Studies
What is the eternal law, divine law, natural law, and human law? What is the proper hierarchy of law?
“Law is an ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the one who is in charge of the community” (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I-II, 90, 4; CCC 1976). Law is primarily a reasonable plan of action, “a certain rule and measure of acts whereby man is induced to act or is restrained from…
Why is the fundamental difference of the conception of grace between Catholics and Protestants crucial to understand?
Introduction Catholic and Protestant reformers of the 16th century disagree about man’s justification, namely, how grace, the gift of God won by Jesus’ sacrifice, works on the human soul[1]. Protestants believe grace covers up but does not remove sin. Luther sees “human nature or soul as dung-covered snow, so grace covers up our ugliness.” Catholics…
Why are the moral virtues considered cardinal? Which aspects of man does each govern?
Moral/ Cardinal virtues “A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. Virtue allows a person to give the best of himself” (CCC 1803). Virtues can be divided into moral and theological virtues. Theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity) direct us to our End (God), while the moral virtues direct us in our…
What are the three conditions of the Human (Moral) Act?
Photo by Martin Sattler on Unsplash Three conditions of the Human Act Human (moral) acts are acts which are chosen by exercising one’s free will as a consequence of a judgment of conscience. Human acts are moral acts because they express the good or evil when someone is performing them.[1] The morality of acts is defined by…
What is Man’s Final End?
Thomistic ethics best answers this question on Man’s Final End and how we arrive at this conclusion from a Catholic perspective. Thomistic ethics begins with the end in mind; and defines happiness as knowing, loving and serving God. We know this as this corresponds with our natural faculties/ Reason which enables us to…
Lent and Holy Week 2018
I experienced many firsts this Lent. First Lenten bible study (Above All devotional by the Take Up and Read community), first time to a Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter church, and first adoration at the Altar of Repose from Maundy Thursday mass till midnight. Other notable highlights include my second talk on the signs and…
Does God Exist? A debate by Trent Horn and Raphael Lataster
For our final exam of the Apologetics course, we were asked to critique this debate, “Does God Exist”, organized by Parousia Media and the University of Sydney’s Catholic Student’s society. Parousia Media is founded by Charbel Raish. Trent Horn took the position that God exists, and Raphael Lataster took the opposite stand. * Trent presented four…
Spiritual Outlook in 2017/18
I am recounting my spiritual journey in 2017 as I resolve to do better in 2018! Liturgical Living I currently utilize the Verbum Dei Missionaries, Prayer For Living, and the Basilica of the National Shrine’s, Our Lady in Art 2017 Calendar, to stay abreast of the liturgical year. For 2018, I am will use the Our Lady in…
Most persuasive Theistic arguments for the existence of God
The theistic argument that is most powerful or persuasive to a person depends on their spirituality type. The cosmological arguments would probably appeal better to Thomistic types (like my husband), while the Augustinian types (like myself) may prefer the argument from desire and design. For the Thomists, the argument from contingency appears convincing as the…
