When morality addresses every aspect of a person’s existence, particularly when a person is touched by grace, the principle that Christian morality transforms first the soul and then the external moral appearance reflects a core spiritual truth: true behavioral change is an inside-out process. Rather than focusing primarily on outward conformity to rules, Christianity emphasizes a radical inward renewal that naturally flows outward into visible action. It will then influence the deepest thoughts and desires of the person. It is self-evident that it is in the interior of a person – the heart – that moral life is forged.
“He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides [of the blind]. If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “Explain [this] parable to us.” He said to them, “Are even you still without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled into the latrine? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” (Mt 15:10-20)
It is in the interior – in thought, will, and emotions – where moral battles are fought. For example, one must guard against having a simple dislike for a person that may turn into a gesture of hate, or a temptation against purity could lead into lust. Therefore, the heart must be kept free from evil thoughts, desires, affections, since they can cause grave sins and lead to bad actions. Also, the senses must be kept under control, since sin begins as a desire, even if sinful desires do not ultimately lead to sin.
“Jesus brings God's commandments to fulfilment, particularly the commandment of love of neighbor, by interiorizing their demands and by bringing out their fullest meaning. Love of neighbor springs from a loving heart which, precisely because it loves, is ready to live out the loftiest challenges. Jesus shows that the commandments must not be understood as a minimum limit not to be gone beyond, but rather as a path involving a moral and spiritual journey towards perfection, at the heart of which is love (cf. Col 3:14).”
[VERITATIS SPLENDOR, 15; John Paul II Encyclicals]
If we examine the world around us, we can see how many people, including political and social leaders, are distant from Christian morality when speaking of “ethics” or “morality.” At one time, this country operated on a Christian moral basis in its public life, but this has been replaced with a morality of individualism, which is merely an excuse to act according to feelings. The world could certainly use a greater outpouring of the love of Christ manifested through his followers.
Christianity teaches that human effort alone cannot produce genuine holiness. Therefore, morality must begin with spiritual rebirth and the healing of the inner person. The transformation begins with what Jesus called being "born again" (John 3:3) or becoming a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is initiated by divine grace, which cleanses the conscience and renews the human heart. Instead of relying strictly on an external code of conduct, the believer is guided by the Holy Spirit. This internal presence begins to reshape what the soul loves, desires, and values, aligning them with the character of God.
CCC 1822 – 23: “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Jesus makes charity the new commandment. Jn 13:34 By loving his own "to the end," Jn 13:1 he makes manifest the Father's love which he receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive. Whence Jesus says: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." And again: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Jn 15:9, 12
Morality is the standard by which we judge our actions to be good or evil. Morality looks to those human acts that impact the totality of our “personness” and which affects our final end.
“Dear children! In a special way I call you all to pray for my intentions so that, through your prayers, you may stop Satan’s plan over this world, which is further from God every day, and which puts itself in the place of God and is destroying everything that is beautiful and good in the souls of each of you. Therefore, little children, arm yourselves with prayer and fasting so that you may be conscious of how much God loves you, and carry out God’s will. Thank you for having responded to my call.” ”
