358. What is the root of human dignity? (part 2 continuation)
(Comp 358 repetition) The dignity of the human person is rooted in his or her creation in the
image and likeness of God. Endowed with a spiritual and immortal soul,
intelligence and free will, the human person is ordered to God and called in
soul and in body to eternal beatitude.
“In brief”
(CCC 1710) "Christ… makes man
fully manifest to man himself and brings to light his exalted vocation"
(GS 22 § 1). (CCC 1712) In man, true freedom
is an "outstanding manifestation of the divine image" (GS 17). (CCC
1715) He who believes in Christ has new life in the
Holy Spirit. The moral life, increased and brought to maturity in grace, is to
reach its fulfillment in the glory of heaven.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1706) By his reason, man recognizes the voice of God
which urges him "to do what is good and avoid what is evil" (GS 16).
Everyone is obliged to follow this law, which makes itself heard in conscience
and is fulfilled in the love of God and of neighbor. Living a moral life bears
witness to the dignity of the person. (CCC 1707) "Man, enticed by the Evil
One, abused his freedom at the very beginning of history" (GS 13 § 1). He
succumbed to temptation and did what was evil. He still desires the good, but
his nature bears the wound of original sin. He is now inclined to evil and
subject to error: Man is divided in himself. As a result, the whole life of
men, both individual and social, shows itself to be a struggle, and a dramatic
one, between good and evil, between light and darkness (GS 13 § 2). (CCC 1714) Man, having been wounded in his nature by original
sin, is subject to error and inclined to evil in exercising his freedom.
Reflection
(CCC 1708) By his Passion, Christ delivered us from Satan
and from sin. He merited for us the new life in the Holy Spirit. His grace
restores what sin had damaged in us. (CCC 1709) He who believes in Christ
becomes a son of God. This filial adoption transforms him by giving him the
ability to follow the example of Christ. It makes him capable of acting rightly
and doing good. In union with his Savior, the disciple attains the perfection
of charity which is holiness. Having matured in grace, the moral life blossoms
into eternal life in the glory of heaven. (CCC 1713)
Man is obliged to follow the moral law, which urges him "to do what is
good and avoid what is evil" (cf. GS 16). This law makes itself heard in
his conscience. [END]
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