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Chapter 24. Life in Christ—Part Two • 335
degree.
Abstinence
is refraining from eating meat. The Church
identifies specific days and times of fasting and abstinence to
prepare the faithful for certain special feasts; such actions of
sacrifice can also help us to grow in self-discipline and
in holiness.
•
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
This means contributing to the support of the activities of
the Church with time, talent, and financial resources, each
according to their ability.
FOR DISCUSSION
1. As you review fundamental elements of Christian moral living, which
ones gave you a new perspective on Christian moral life? How can
all of them become a regular part of the growth of your life in Christ
and the Spirit?
2. Moral life based on the teaching of Scripture flows from God’s lov-
ing plan for us. How does this correspond to your view of what the
moral life is about? How would you live out such a plan?
3. You are called to faithful assent to the Church’s teachings on faith
and morals.What challenges do you experience? How do you handle
them? What motivates you to be a morally good person?
DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS
• God’s divine law establishes our final destiny and the path to reach
it. God has planted within each of us the natural law that is a reflec-
tion of his divine law.
• The natural law is our rational apprehension of the created moral
order, an ability we have because we are made in God’s image. It
expresses our human dignity and forms the basis of our basic rights
and duties.