Catechism index

2541 II. The Desires of the Spirit The economy of law and grace turns men's hearts away from avarice and envy. It initiates them into desire for the Sovereign Good; it instructs them in the desires of the Holy …
2542 II. The Desires of the Spirit The Law entrusted to Israel never sufficed to justify those subject to it; it even became the instrument of "lust." 330 The gap between wanting and doing points to the conflict between …
2543 II. The Desires of the Spirit "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for …
2544 III. Poverty of Heart Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them "renounce all that [they have]" for his sake and that of the Gospel. 334 Shortly before his passion …
2545 III. Poverty of Heart All Christ's faithful are to "direct their affections rightly, lest they be hindered in their pursuit of perfect charity by the use of worldly things and by an adherence to riches which …
2546 III. Poverty of Heart "Blessed are the poor in spirit." 337 The Beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and grace, of beauty and peace. Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor, to whom the Kingdom already …
2547 The Word speaks of voluntary humility as "poverty in spirit"; the Apostle gives an example of God's poverty when he says: "For your sakes he became poor." 339 The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. 340 "Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit …
2548 IV. "I Want to See God" Desire for true happiness frees man from his immoderate attachment to the goods of this world so that he can find his fulfillment in the vision and beatitude of God. "The promise …
2549 IV. "I Want to See God" It remains for the holy people to struggle, with grace from on high, to obtain the good things God promises. In order to possess and contemplate God, Christ's faithful mortify their cravings …
2550 IV. "I Want to See God" On this way of perfection, the Spirit and the Bride call whoever hears them 344 to perfect communion with God: There will true glory be, where no one will be praised by …
2551 IN BRIEF "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Mt 6:21).
2552 IN BRIEF The tenth commandment forbids avarice arising from a passion for riches and their attendant power.
2553 IN BRIEF Envy is sadness at the sight of another's goods and the immoderate desire to have them for oneself. It is a capital sin.
2554 IN BRIEF The baptized person combats envy through good-will, humility, and abandonment to the providence of God.
2555 IN BRIEF Christ's faithful "have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24); they are led by the Spirit and follow his desires.
2556 IN BRIEF Detachment from riches is necessary for entering the Kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are the poor in spirit."
2557 IN BRIEF "I want to see God" expresses the true desire of man. Thirst for God is quenched by the water of eternal life (cf In 4:14). Previous - Next Copyright © Libreria Editrice …
2558 PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE "Great is the mystery of the faith!" The Church professes this mystery in the Apostles' Creed (Part One) and celebrates it in the sacramental liturgy (Part Two), so that the life of …
2559 For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. 1 "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." 2 But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our …
2560 For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. 1 "If you knew the gift of God!" 7 The wonder of prayer is revealed beside the well where we come seeking water: there, Christ comes to meet every human being. It is …