Moral Wisdom Lessons and Texts from the Catholic Tradition

by Keenan, SJ, James F.,

• ISBN13: 9781442202979
• ISBN10: 1442202971
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-15
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

At a time when religion and spirituality have been divorced from one another and morality and ethics are viewed as being confining rather than liberating, Fr. James Keenan has developed a new edition to his beloved book Moral Wisdom. There are new discussions of social sin and Pope Benedict XVI's encyclical Caritas in Veritate, a clearer exploration of Jesus in the New Testament, and new study questions at the end of each chapter. 'Moral wisdom,' as Fr. Keenan calls it, is the distinctive gift of the Catholic tradition, a gift that helps us discern what values to pursue and which virtues to embody on the path to becoming who we really are and who God calls us to be. Fr. Keenan uses a conversational style filled with stories and examples to open the treasure trove of resources in the Catholic tradition for developing moral wisdom. He lifts up the lessons on love, conscience, sin, and suffering, helping readers connect with the formative influences of the Catholic heritage and appreciate what gives meaning to our lives and what enhances our relationships with friends and family.

Author Biography

James F. Keenan, S.J., is the Founders Professor of Theology at Boston College. His books with Sheed Ward include The Works of Mercy, Virtues for Ordinary Christians, and with Daniel Harrington, S.J., Jesus and Virtue Ethics.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction: Moral Wisdom Beyond The Moral Manuals	p. 1
The Lessons
Love	p. 9
Conscience	p. 27
Sin	p. 45
Suffering	p. 67
The Texts
Jesus in the New Testament	p. 89
The Ten Commandments in the Catechism	p. 99
Practicing the Corporal Works of Mercy	p. 117
Cultivating the Cardinal Virtues	p. 135
The Future
Hope and Leadership	p. 155
Conclusion: "To Live Likewise"	p. 167
Notes	p. 171
Index	p. 183
About the Author	p. 195
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