Fundamentals of Christian Morality

Respecting Gods Gift: Life

Ric A. Cervera
St. Paul University Iloilo

The most basic way we love one another is by respecting the God-given gift of life and by improving the quality of human life.

Parents are pro-creators of human life, acting as Gods free loving agents through responsible transmission of human life and promotion of the quality of life.

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and mother.

Filial respect parents is to be given:

not just for the good of

the individual family, but as necessary for the community itself.

not because of their actual competence, productivity, or natural virtues, but simply because of their status as parents.

Common Obstacles in Keeping the Fourth Commandment

parents who neglect or abuse their children

childrens
and youths growing up periods

generation gap between parents and offspring

The Fourth Commandment enjoins parents to care for and respect their children as persons in their own right.

Christian Faith view the family

domestic Church

Covenant relationship

first and vital cell of society

The Fifth Commandment

You shall not kill.

Attacks against human life, integrity and dignity

Attacks against integrity (mutilation, physical and mental torture)

Direct attacks against life (murder, abortion, euthanasia, suicide)

Attacks against human dignity (subhuman living conditions, deportation and prostitution)

Common abuses against physical well-being

alcoholism

smoking

drug addiction

Christ Perfected the Fifth Commandment

linking it directly with its ideal, love, even with love for our enemies

interiorizing and intensifying it by forbidding even anger of the heart