Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 293 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 293 - Part I. Why did God give us “passions” or emotions?

(Youcat answer) We have passions so that through strong emotions and distinct feelings we might be attracted to what is right and good and repelled from what is evil and bad.

A deepening through CCC

 (CCC 1762) The human person is ordered to beatitude by his deliberate acts: the passions or feelings he experiences can dispose him to it and contribute to it. (CCC 1771) The term "passions" refers to the affections or the feelings. By his emotions man intuits the good and suspects evil. (CCC 1763) The term "passions" belongs to the Christian patrimony. Feelings or passions are emotions or movements of the sensitive appetite that incline us to act or not to act in regard to something felt or imagined to be good or evil.

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) God made man in such a way that he can love and hate, desire or despise something, be attracted by some things and afraid of others, be full of joy, sorrow, or anger. In the depths of his heart man always loves good and hates evil—or what he considers to be such.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1764) The passions are natural components of the human psyche; they form the passageway and ensure the connection between the life of the senses and the life of the mind. Our Lord called man's heart the source from which the passions spring (Cf. Mk 7:21). (CCC 1772) The principal passions are love and hatred, desire and fear, joy, sadness, and anger. 

(This question: Why did God give us “passions” or emotions? is continued)