CLED 3 | Lesson 1-3

Lesson 1: The Human Person, Image of God

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “being in the image of God, human possesses the dignity of a
person. They are not just something, but someone. They are capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession, and of
freely giving themselves and entering into communion with other persons. They are called by grace to a covenant with
the Creator, to offer Him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead.” In the book of
Genesis, it is stated there that God decided to create humans in His own image and likeness. However, this reality doesn’t
mean that humans were also gods; but were just replicated.

FOR MORE DISCUSSION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwU7PA_tAf4

In order for us to prove that God has created us in His own image and likeness, there are factors to be
considered as proof of God’s image in us.

Soul
To reflect God’s goodness and image, the Uncreated Being (God) let His greatest creature (Man) possess life—
that would allow them experience and enjoy achieving their dreams, to work, to relate with other, and to love. Man
received soul that God imparted to them, when He breathed on them; and that breathe is life-giving.

Dignity
For man is created by a dignified uncreated being, his/her value as human person also reflects his/her origin by
possessing dignity, worth or value. Human person has dignity because hi/she is part of God’s creation, saved by Jesus
Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. That is the main reason why we are all conscious every time our dignity is being
threatened by other’s judgements. As a saying goes: “Walang sino man ang may karapatan na tumapak sa dignidad ng
kanyang kapwa”, it implies that as human person, we strive to achieve our goals—to strengthen, nourish and cultivate
our value as God’s creation. Furthermore, human dignity is also an invitation for everyone who possess it, to boost and
respect other’s dignity—in order for human persons learn how to care for other’s worth as God’s reflection.

Freedom
In connection with possessing and caring for dignity, human person take part of his/her Creator’s joy, by enjoying
life with freedom. It is indeed the fulfilment of having dignity—to possess and live with freedom. This God’s gift allows
human person to choose; to do what is good and reject evil. For evil is the corruption of good, man as a free creature
must not misuse or abuse freedom; for it might bring him/her into corruption.

This time, allow me to give you a concrete example of both misuse and abuse of freedom.

Examples:
1. Misuse: the proper usage of a pen is to write. If you ought to use it in order to stab others, it is misuse. It might
lead you into jail that would be corrupting your freedom.
2. Abuse: eating is good, but eating too much is abusing your body. This act might lead you into illness that would
corrupt of your freedom to eat whatever you want.
 Source: Catholic Journal

Conscience
Freedom without limitation might lead human persons into misuse and abuse of it. Hence, God has also given us
the gift of conscience to guide us in every way. Basically, conscience is the voice of God speaking inside our core. It is
uttering inside us to do and pursue good, and also avoid and reject evil. Moreover, as a reflection of the Divine,
conscience must also move man to turn “Awa” into “unawa” and “gawa”. (see Luke 10:29-37, The Parable of the Good
Samaritan)

As a human person, we need to keep in our minds that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. It is
the reality that is very reflective in possessing life, soul, dignity, freedom and conscience. However, in knowing such, we
are being lead into a discovery that we, as human persons are worthy to be respected and respect others as well—no
matter what our/their status in life may be. In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus demonstrates how to uphold and
defend human dignity by expressing compassion to the weak and victims of social indifference.

Lesson 2: Freedom and Conscience: Formation of

Moral Being
Page 2 of 8
 In the movie Spiderman, one of the most prominent quotations that made an impact goes “with great power
comes great responsibility.” Accordingly, the foretold quotation is very significant mostly nowadays, wherein the
pandemic came and all are affected.

FREEDOM
In our society today, there are a lot of interpretations regarding freedom. If asked, people’s usual response is
that freedom is just doing what an individual wants to do. However, the real meaning of freedom is doing what we are
supposed to do. As a human person, we were granted with freedom in order for us to function well—to work in accord
with our own origin, God. Hence, freedom is the fulfilment of having and possessing dignity. In reality, in exercising our
duty freely, there is a tendency for us human person, to use our freedom in a wrong manner; and these are being called
misuse and abuse.

a. Misused Freedom
Basically, misused freedom is the wrong usage of freedom. It has something to do with the mistaken understanding of
concepts regarding the ethical and moral norms.

b. Abused Freedom
This type of wrong use of freedom deals with the overly usage of freedom. it is doing what an individual wants
without limitation.

As free being, it is a must that all our actions shall conform to the will of the one in whom image is being
reflected by everyone. Thus, we need to bear in mind that as human persons, we are expected to function appropriately.
What the church is teaching us is that as Christians, we are expected to practice Authentic Freedom. This is the type of
freedom leads man into fulfilment of dignity possession. In exercising so, man would be able to think of the future or
effect of an act to be done.

Example:
A man was arrested and imprisoned for stealing money from a store.

With that simple scenario, we can see the abuse of freedom done. From the violation that he had done, the effect
also occurred in his freedom as a human person. His freedom was lessened by being kept in the jail. The example
foretold is a concrete narration of how our freedom is important. Furthermore, in doing well, people continuously enjoy

Page 3 of 8
the freedom that he/she is enjoying in the society—and it is by abiding his/her conscience that freedom is not being
lessened.

CONSCIENCE
Basically, conscience is the gift from God to whisper within. Thus, it is the voice of God within us, telling us to do
good and reject what is evil; in order for our dignity to be protected. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that
man should allow conscience to judge while thinking of the greater good. In the diagram below, let me show you the
different types of conscience.

Types of How they Operate

Conscience

Correct - Makes a sincere effort to discover the truth

Conscience - Acts in accordance with the Word of God and the teachings of the Church

Erroneous - Contrary to God’s Word and the teachings of the Church

Conscience

Bad - Does not ask about what is right or wrong

Conscience - No regard for objective truth

Weak - Knows what is right but has not the courage or spiritual power to do what is right
Conscience

Scrupulous - Thinks that it is sinning when in fact, it is not

Conscience

Lax Conscience - Sensitive to the good that ought to be done

Informed - Seeks to inform and educate oneself about a particular moral issue
Conscience

Out of all types of conscience presented in the diagram, the only types that may lead people into the fullness are
the correct and informed. For conscience must help freedom to be the shield of dignity, it must be used under the
guidance of the scriptures and Church’s teachings.

AUTHENTIC FREEDOM
The authenticity of freedom that man practices is primarily being seen in the effect from using it. As discussed
earlier freedom and conscience are integral part of our lives as dignified creature. It must work hand in hand, to cultivate
and nourish our dignity; for man, as a free being, must use his/her freedom under the guidance of conscience. With this,
Authentic Freedom springs up from man’s undertakings.

MORAL BEING
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, human persons are the only ones capable of making such
choices because they are moral agents. But having the ability to make moral decisions means that human persons are
held responsible for their actions, that is, they have to face the consequences of their actions. In the being diagram
below, let us discover how a moral being is being formed with the help of freedom and conscience.

Page 4 of 8
 Out of goodness, the Supreme Good (God) created us as dignified creatures. As the fulfilment in possessing
dignity, God gifted us with freedom that allows us to rationalize in accord with our relative reasons (such as environment,
experiences and family backgrounds). By being able to reason out, we are capable to initiate our own actions and control
it with under the guidance of conscience. In the diagram, it is clearly shown that good deeds are our way to conform
God’s image in us; and evil leads into corruption of good, that makes our freedom affected—or worse, lessened.
Freedom, therefore, doesn’t make us licensed to do whatever we want. As moral being, we are expected to realize God’s
plan for everyone by starting, or being part of the good that might reflect His presence in the world.

To sum-up the whole thing, I want you to imagine this concept and transform it into a diagram on the box below:
The Supreme Good, created man as good; out of His goodness; for this, man is expected to do good that would bring
good for himself and for others. By doing so, man would experience the goodness that the Supreme Good has prepared
for him—heaven.

Page 5 of 8
 Lesson 3: Man: Created to/for Love
The Theology of the Body is basically about human desires. As an introduction, let me ask you this question: as a
human person, what do you think is your greatest desire throughout your existence?

If you would notice, your greatest desire is merely rooted in the source of your happiness; and the source of your
happiness springs from the love that you have for either yourself or other. Therefore, I would attest that the greatest
desire of human being is true, authentic and everlasting love.

Theology of the Body is the topic of a series of 129 lectures given by Pope John Paul II during his Wednesday
audiences in St. Peter's Square at the Paul VI Audience Hall between September 5, 1979, and November 28, 1984. It
seeks to explain what the body means as a sign of the person and the person’s call to be a gift. It reveals the nature of
God and His plan for mankind. However, St. John Paul II demonstrates the great importance of the physical body and
human sexuality, and combats the heresies which, valuing only the spiritual would proclaim the body unimportant, evil, or
both. Theology of the Body is neither a list of Church’s rules, or list of do’s and don’ts; but good news of God’s plan for
life, and revelation of the real definition of love. Its primary goal is to change lives, not out of guilt or fear, but by
revealing the human’s greatest desire—for love.

“Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself. His life is
senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience love and
make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it.”
(Redemptor Hominis 10)

Morally speaking, man is created as good in order to perform goodness which might reflect God’s image. Thus, it
is in process of loving that man can operate well for the world’s goods. In doing well, man has a tendency to be lead and
fall into temptation which might corrupt the pure intention—evil. If man is created for love, the question is, why is there
so much suffering and pain in the world? The answer is evil.

Evil is the corruption of good. That is why original sin was committed (corruption of obedience and selflessness)
by Adam and Eve. The selfishness which is the source or root of all sins taught man to live just for the so-called “self”.
From then, concupiscence happens from then and now; by doing the wrong thing instead of doing what is right.
Selfishness is the main reason why the members of the society are being divided—to the point wherein people were
already hurting others, physically and emotionally. In the society where we are belong today, cases of broken families,
broken hearts, sexual abuses, infidelity, addictions and shame; is swelling the more. The societal concerns
aforementioned are also effects of the terrifying self-centeredness being cultured in the core of humanity. Possibly, one of
the reasons why, is that people were being formed with this way; until it became ethical norms.

To fulfil the reason for our existence, we need to rediscover the main goal in creating man in God’s image and
likeness. For this, let me give you some logical thoughts which are very significant in knowing the truth behind our being.

a. God created man in His image and likeness

According to the book of Genesis, the Supreme Good (God) created man in His image and likeness. It doesn’t mean
that man is also God; but the point here is that man is created based on His wholeness and tenderness.
b. Man reflects God
In order for man to reflect God’s goodness, he is graced with dignity, freedom and conscience; that allows him to
exercise his own capacity of making God’s goodness well known and evident.
c. “God is Love” (1 Jn. 4:16)
God’s scent is being smelled by man every time he experiences real love. Thus, loving is the root why God became so
good to man, to the point of creating him as the greatest of all creatures.
Conclusion: If Man is expected to reflect God for he is created in God’s image and likeness; and God is
love; therefore, man is expected to love in order for evil (corruption of good) to stop.

If you would notice, the coherent thoughts presented earlier, clearly and logically affirm the concept of God’s
loving plan for every people. It proves that man is created to love, be loved, and to be instrument and avenue of love.
Through this way, selfishness will be conquered; and people will surely serve his/her real purpose—to be good and to
love.

Page 7 of 8
Page 8 of 8