Article 1
THE MORAL LAW
1950
The moral law is the work of divine Wisdom. Its biblical meaning can be defined
as fatherly instruction, God's pedagogy. It prescribes for man the ways, the
rules of conduct that lead to the promised beatitude; it proscribes the ways of
evil which turn him away from God and his love. It is at once firm in its precepts
and, in its promises, worthy of love.
1951
Law is a rule of conduct enacted by competent authority for the sake of the
common good. the moral law presupposes the rational order, established among
creatures for their good and to serve their final end, by the power, wisdom,
and goodness of the Creator. All law finds its first and ultimate truth in the
eternal law. Law is declared and established by reason as a participation in
the providence of the living God, Creator and Redeemer of all. "Such an
ordinance of reason is what one calls law."2
Alone among all animate
beings, man can boast of having been counted worthy to receive a law from God:
as an animal endowed with reason, capable of understanding and discernment, he
is to govern his conduct by using his freedom and reason, in obedience to the
One who has entrusted everything to him.3
1952
There are different expressions of the moral law, all of them interrelated:
eternal law - the source, in God, of all law; natural law; revealed law,
comprising the Old Law and the New Law, or Law of the Gospel; finally, civil
and ecclesiastical laws.
1953
The moral law finds its fullness and its unity in Christ. Jesus Christ is in
person the way of perfection. He is the end of the law, for only he teaches and
bestows the justice of God: "For Christ is the end of the law, that every
one who has faith may be justified."4
|