Class will be meeting next Sunday, January 3.
Last time, we went discussed the fifth chapter of Theology of the Body for Teens: "Truth and Freedom." Previously, in chapter 4, we looked at how Christ redeems and restores us so that we can once again approach the beauty of God's original plan. Chapter 5 looks at what freedom is and what is required for us to experience freedom and joy. Key points:
- There is absolute moral truth. Relativism is false -- it's self-contradictory. We also all know that some thing are just wrong -- e.g. honor killings, Hitler's concentration camps, slavery -- even if they are legal. Relativism also undermines the foundation of human rights.
- What is freedom? It is the ability to desire and to choose the good.
- Freedom is not merely the ability to do whatever we want, because that leads to selfishness and takes away from love. Thus, freedom is only possible in choosing the good.
- It's also not just a lack of commitments to others (which may be viewed negatively as being "tied down"). What is the value of freedom if we never make choice to commit to anything? We have wasted our freedom as surely as the man who is given a plane ticket to anywhere he wants, but never uses it because he always wants to keep his options open.
- We have been given the gift of free will in order that we might be able to love.
- Freedom requires free will, but free will alone is not sufficient for freedom. Freedom also requires truth.
- Is it possible to be free without the truth? No, because we cannot choose freely without knowing what is true -- i.e. what is real -- about yourself and others.
Quotes to ponder:
"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:32
“Freedom exists for the sake of love.” – John Paul II
"The more that one does what is good, the freer one becomes." - CCC 1733
At home assignment:
Enjoy the Christmas season! :-)
If you missed missed class or want to review:
Please read workbook Chapter 5, pages 67 - 71 (stop just above "Freedom of the Heart") and 74 - 75.
Open Mic class:
If you have a question, please email it or write me a note. I have small note papers and a question box available in class. This is an opportunity to ask other faith-related questions.
Future class dates:
January 2015
03 Class
10 Class
Sorry for the long delay on this update.
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Holy Day!