Core Principles of Catholic Theology and Ethics

Foundations of Jesus and the Gospels

Jesus is fully God and fully human, serving as the model of love and service. The Gospels present different perspectives of His life:

• Matthew: Jesus as the Teacher
• Mark: Jesus as the Suffering Servant
• Luke: Jesus as the Universal Savior
• John: Jesus as the Divine Word

The Synoptic Gospels include Matthew, Mark, and Luke. To understand these texts, scholars use exegesis, which is the process of interpreting Scripture using historical and literary context.

Teachings and Ministry of Jesus

Jesus taught using parables, which are simple stories that convey a moral lesson. His ministry was marked by miracles, including healing, nature miracles, exorcisms, and raising the dead. Central to His mission was the New Covenant, a sacred promise where Jesus saves humanity, fulfilling the ancient covenants of the past.

Jesus practiced Radical Table Fellowship, meaning He intentionally included outcasts in His circle. Today, discipleship means following Jesus by serving others, loving unconditionally, and taking action in the world.

The Early Church and Apostolic Tradition

The Letters (or Epistles) are early Church writings, with St. Paul writing the majority of them. Apostolic Tradition and Apostolic Succession ensure that the teachings and authority of the Apostles are passed down through the generations.

Core Theological Beliefs

The Incarnation is the mystery of God becoming human. Christians believe in the Trinity, which is one God in three Divine Persons. God reveals Himself through Revelation, found in both Scripture and Tradition. To help humans do good, God provides grace, a free and undeserved gift. Formal statements of these beliefs are known as creeds.

The Role of Mary and the Saints

The Church honors Mary through several key doctrines:

• Annunciation: The angel's visit to Mary.
• Assumption: Mary being taken body and soul into heaven.
• Immaculate Conception: Mary being born without original sin.

Key figures include St. Paul, the great missionary, and St. Peter, the first pope. The Church's mission began at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. Faith is a lifelong journey involving trust, belief, and action.

Understanding Human Nature

The traits of humans are multifaceted, encompassing the following dimensions: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, rational, and moral.

Christian Ethics and Social Justice

Classifying Sin and Mercy

There are various types of sin that affect our relationship with God and others:

• Venial: Small or less serious sins.
• Mortal: Serious sins that sever our relationship with God.
• Omission: Failing to do the good we should do.
• Commission: Actively doing something wrong.
• Personal: Sins committed by an individual.
• Social: Sins embedded within the structures of society.

To combat sin, the Church practices the Corporal Works of Mercy (feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead) and the Spiritual Works of Mercy (instructing, advising, consoling, forgiving, and praying).

Principles of Justice and Social Teaching

Justice is categorized into four main types:

• Commutative: Justice between individuals.
• Distributive: What society owes the individual.
• Legal: What the individual owes society.
• Social Justice: The creation of a fair and just society.

Catholic Social Teachings emphasize human dignity, rights and duties, participation in society, and the pursuit of peace. These are often guided by Natural Law, the built-in moral sense within every person.

Relationships, Prayer, and Sacraments

Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality

Intimacy is built on emotional closeness and trust. The Greeks identified four types of love:

• Eros: Romantic love.
• Philia: Friendship.
• Agape: Unconditional, sacrificial love.
• Storge: Family love.

Healthy sexuality is rooted in self-worth, boundaries, and respect. It is important to distinguish between infatuation (which is fast and surface-level) and love (which is deep and steady).

The Life of Prayer and Sacramental Signs

Prayer is essential communication with God. The primary types of prayer include praise, thanksgiving, petition, intercession, and contrition. The seven sacraments are visible signs of invisible grace:

• Baptism
• Eucharist
• Confirmation
• Reconciliation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Marriage
• Holy Orders

Finally, the Church uses symbols, which are objects or actions that carry a deeper spiritual meaning.