Let the Law Be Your Guide
As I explained in the Natural Law lens, the natural moral law is the blueprint for human nature. When we follow the natural law, we learn to live a fully human life. This means to live thoughtfully and deliberately. It means to live in a way that integrates the physical and spiritual dimensions of our nature.
The Intellect
Let's Think About It . . .
The Intellect is the human power to know spiritual knowledge. The term "spiritual" does not only refer to religious subjects. It refers to knowledge about anything that is not physical. Abstract thinking is a large part of the intellect's power. We can understand concepts such as love, liberty, truth and beauty because we have an intellect. We can also "penetrate" our physical reality in order to understand it more deeply. Natural Law and the Intellect
How the natural law guides us to use our intellect
The Intellect empowers human beings to reflect on what we are doing, to seek true understanding and to live meaningful lives.
- Natural law guides us to think about our actions, to understand their meaning, and to judge the course of action that will lead to the greatest possible good.
- Natural law guides us to understand our emotions and to judge their accuracy
- Natural law guides us to true intimacy with others - getting to know them deeply
- Natural law guides us to seek Truth
The Will
The Power if Ours
The will is the power to freely choose among various physical and spiritual goods. We are not automatically drawn by our senses and passions (emotions) toward spiritual goods. However, we know that these things are good and we can choose to attain them. Sometimes we need to oppose physical desires in order to choose the spiritual good. Sometimes spiritual goods coincide with our physical desires. Our will ensures that we do not become a slave to physical drives. It makes us free by empowering us to choose the greatest good in each circumstance. Natural Law and the Will
How the natural law guides us to use our will.
The will empowers human beings to be in control of their lives. It keeps them from being enslaved to physical impulses and drives.
- Natural law guides us to deliberately choose our actions based on the knowledge of our actions that we have thanks to our intellect.
- Natural law calls us to control our emotions so that they may be expressed properly. It also guides us to link our emotions to spiritual goods.
- Natural law directs us to true freedom by guiding us to choose the best possible good.
- Natural law guides us to true love - to choose what is good for other people rather than just for ourselves.
Integration
Physical & Spiritual, the Perfect Blend
Human beings are both physical and spiritual beings. Some people think that living a good moral life means focusing on the spiritual and suppressing the physical. However, to be truly human means to integrate both dimensions into our personality. Emotions are not evil, but they must be controlled by the spiritual faculties. Physical desires are not evil, but we must not sacrifice spiritual goods for their sake.
The key to living a truly human life is to find the deeper spiritual reality contained in the physical world. Sex is a nice physical pleasure, but its true meaning and beauty are only realized within a committed, loving, intimate relationship (marriage). Food satisfies a major desire, but it is only truly appreciated when it is shared with others and when we recognize it as a gift from God. Integration of the spiritual and physical dimension of human life is the way to truly enjoy this life. It is also the way to find true health and human fulfillment (completed in God but began in the proper use of His Creation).
The key to living a truly human life is to find the deeper spiritual reality contained in the physical world. Sex is a nice physical pleasure, but its true meaning and beauty are only realized within a committed, loving, intimate relationship (marriage). Food satisfies a major desire, but it is only truly appreciated when it is shared with others and when we recognize it as a gift from God. Integration of the spiritual and physical dimension of human life is the way to truly enjoy this life. It is also the way to find true health and human fulfillment (completed in God but began in the proper use of His Creation).
Going Deeper at the Abbey
Links to www.fromtheabbey.com
From the Abbey's website contains deeper explorations of these lens topics. Here are the most relevant articles to the topic of becoming more human.
- Becoming More Human
- What is summarized in this lens is explored more completely in the article "Becoming More Human" from the Abbey Library.
From the Abbey Bookstore
Books and media about becoming more human from our bookstore
From the Abbey's bookstore is small but growing. We carefully review each item we sell to make sure it is intellectually satisfying and faithful to the Truth taught by the Catholic Church.
Becoming the Best Version of Yourself. Matthew Kelly gives a rousing talk about how to become the fullest human person you can be in order to fulfill God's pupose for your life. His advice offers specific ways to strengthen the intellect, the will, and the body. While we understand the value of repetition as a teaching tool, Matthew Kelly overdoes it a bit. However, his message and his speaking style (other than the repetition) are engaging. This talk offers the specific advice that helps us to fulfill the general principles of the (first level of the) natural moral law.
Guide to Saint Thomas AquinasJosef Pieper gives an excellent introduction to the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the saint most responsible for articulating the Church's understanding of human nature and the natural law.
Becoming the Best Version of Yourself. Matthew Kelly gives a rousing talk about how to become the fullest human person you can be in order to fulfill God's pupose for your life. His advice offers specific ways to strengthen the intellect, the will, and the body. While we understand the value of repetition as a teaching tool, Matthew Kelly overdoes it a bit. However, his message and his speaking style (other than the repetition) are engaging. This talk offers the specific advice that helps us to fulfill the general principles of the (first level of the) natural moral law.Guide to Saint Thomas AquinasJosef Pieper gives an excellent introduction to the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the saint most responsible for articulating the Church's understanding of human nature and the natural law.More Books on Becoming More Human
from Amazon
Latest from Gaudium Veritatis
From the Abbey's Moral Theology Blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byby Arrowood
Arrowood
Hey there! My name is Jeff Arrowood. I am a Catholic educator and a moral theologian with a master's degree in theological studies. I am currently a stay-at-home... more »
- 3 featured lenses
- Winner of 3 trophies!
- Top lens » What's So Divine About the Divine Law?
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Find Personal Perfection with Natural Law! Find Personal Perfection with Natural Law!
- What's So Divine About the Divine Law? What's So Divine About the Divine Law?
- From the Abbey Catholic Apostolate From the Abbey Catholic Apostolate
- An Atheist View An Atheist View
- Banning Prayer in Public School Banning Prayer in Public School
- My Life Philosophy, Live, Love and Learn My Life Philosophy, Live, Love and Learn
