Unit 3 AOS 1 DP#10: The relationship between humans Flashcards
In the Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic understanding of how humans should relate is found in the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ. In essence, people are called to recognise the dignity of others and act accordingly.
One of Jesus’ great commandments to love others as he loves is a calling to view the human race in the way that God would. If Genesis 1:27 states that all people are images of God, then human life needs to be seen as sacred and special.
In the previous category of belief, it was stated that human beings are God’s adopted sons and daughters. If this is the case, then adherents of the Catholic faith are called to see the rest of the human race as family, like brothers and sisters who share a filial relationship with God as parent.
Texts: Scripture
John 13: 34 – 35: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’
Gen 1:27 - ‘So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’
Matt 20:1-16: Parable of the workers in the vineyard teaching that God looks invites all people into his kingdom equally. A call for people to look at each other with equal dignity because they are images of God.
Luke 10: 29 – 37: The parable of the Good Samaritan. Teaches that human beings should regard each other without prejudice towards race and to love enemies. ‘Go and do the same’
Gal 3:28 - The letter to the Galatians establishes that race, religion, social status, gender etc is not justification for humans to be divided - “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
1 Cor 12:14 – 27 – St Paul’s letter explaining that all members of the Church – and the human race by extension – are valued and important. Calls the Church ‘The Body of Christ’.
John 1: 9 – 13 - The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
Texts: Catechism of the catholic church
407 What is the Common Good? By the common good is meant the sum total of those conditions of social life which allow people as groups and as individuals to reach their proper fulfillment.
Social structure: CARITAS Australia
Catholic charitable organisations exist within the Church to promote the Common Good, which is part of Catholic Social Teaching. CARITAS for example promotes actions which can contribute positively to the good of all:
‘The common good is reached when we work together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world. The rights of the individual to personal possessions and community resources must be balanced with the needs of the disadvantaged and dispossessed.’
Social structures: The church as the body of Christ
The Catholic Church is called the ‘body of Christ’ because Christ is the head of the Church and adherents are called to contribute, through their gifts and discernment of purpose in life, to the work of Christ in the world. Every member of the diverse Church is called to be united as God desires them to be, promoting the Common Good both inside the Church community and in the wider world community.
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Cor 12:26
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.
Jn 17:21
