Catechism index

2461 IN BRIEF True development concerns the whole man. It is concerned with increasing each person's ability to respond to his vocation and hence to God's call (cf CA 29).
2462 IN BRIEF Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.
2463 IN BRIEF How can we not recognize Lazarus, the hungry beggar in the parable (cf Lk 17:19-31), in the multitude of human beings without bread, a roof or a place to stay? How can …
2464 It was said to the men of old, "You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn." 253 The eighth commandment forbids misrepresenting the truth in our relations with others. This moral prescription flows from the vocation of the holy people to bear witness to their God who is the …
2465 I. Living in the Truth The Old Testament attests that God is the source of all truth. His Word is truth. His Law is truth. His "faithfulness endures to all generations." 254 Since God is "true," the …
2466 I. Living in the Truth In Jesus Christ, the whole of God's truth has been made manifest. "Full of grace and truth," he came as the "light of the world," he is the Truth. 256 "Whoever believes …
2467 I. Living in the Truth Man tends by nature toward the truth. He is obliged to honor and bear witness to it: "It is in accordance with their dignity that all men, because they are persons . …
2468 I. Living in the Truth Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candor. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, …
2469 I. Living in the Truth "Men could not live with one another if there were not mutual confidence that they were being truthful to one another." 262 The virtue of truth gives another his just due. Truthfulness …
2470 I. Living in the Truth The disciple of Christ consents to "live in the truth," that is, in the simplicity of a life in conformity with the Lord's example, abiding in his truth. "If we say we …
2471 II. To Bear Witness to the Truth Before Pilate, Christ proclaims that he "has come into the world, to bear witness to the truth." 265 The Christian is not to "be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord." 266 …
2472 II. To Bear Witness to the Truth The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness …
2473 II. To Bear Witness to the Truth Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. the martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he …
2474 II. To Bear Witness to the Truth The Church has painstakingly collected the records of those who persevered to the end in witnessing to their faith. These are the acts of the Martyrs. They form the archives of truth …
2475 III. Offenses Against Truth Christ's disciples have "put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." 273 By "putting away falsehood," they are to "put away all malice and …
2476 III. Offenses Against Truth False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. 275 When it is under oath, …
2477 III. Offenses Against Truth Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. 277 He becomes guilty: - of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without …
2478 III. Offenses Against Truth To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way: Every good Christian ought to be more ready to …
2479 III. Offenses Against Truth Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name …
2480 III. Offenses Against Truth Every word or attitude is forbidden which by flattery, adulation, or complaisance encourages and confirms another in malicious acts and perverse conduct. Adulation is a grave fault if it makes one an …