Food for Thought: Natural Good vs. Supernatural Good

[Shin]

'Every good work which we perform through our own natural powers causes us to refrain from the corresponding sin; but without grace it cannot contribute to our sanctification.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

[martin]

The above quote makes me wonder about much of the social justice teachings we hear theses days. Of themselves and divorced from Gods grace these “good acts” can only merit a natural reward: i.e. (human praise or material benefit).
It sometimes seems like we’re being told that our salvation is a foregone conclusion and all that remains for us to do is sort out the worlds problems. (talk about putting the cart before the horse). Much like Sola Fide.

Looking for more info on the subject I found this.

Conditions of merit

In Catholic teaching, for all true merit, there are seven conditions, of which four regard the meritorious work, two the agent who merits, and one God who rewards.
In order to be meritorious a work must be morally good, morally free, done with the assistance of actual grace and inspired by a supernatural motive.

As to the second requisite, i. e., moral liberty, it is clear from ethics that actions, due to external force or internal compulsion, can deserve neither reward nor punishment. It is an axiom of criminal jurisprudence that no one shall be punished for a misdeed done without free will; similarly, a good work can only then be meritorious and deserving of reward when it proceeds from a free determination of the will. This is the teaching of Christ (Matt., xix, 21): "If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven."

The necessity of the third condition, i. e., of the influence of actual grace, is clear from the fact that every act meriting heaven must evidently be supernatural just as heaven itself is supernatural, and that consequently it cannot be performed without the help of prevenient and assisting grace, which is necessary even for the just. The strictly supernatural destiny of the Beatific Vision, for which the Christian must strive, necessitates ways and means which lie altogether beyond what is purely natural.

In Christian theology, man possesses nothing of his own; all that he has and all that he does is a gift of God, and, since God is infinitely self-sufficient, there is no advantage or benefit which man can by his services confer upon Him. Hence on the part of God there can only be question of a gratuitous promise of reward for certain good works. For such works He owes the promised reward, not in justice or equity, but solely because He has freely bound himself, i.e., because of His own attributes of veracity and fidelity. It is on this ground alone that we can speak of Divine justice at all, and apply the principle: Do ut des (I give that you may give as in pertaining to a contract)
(cf. St. Augustine, Serm. clviii, c. ii, in P. L., XXXVIII, 863).

[Bailey2]

The above quote makes me wonder about much of the social justice teachings we hear theses days.

Catholic teachings on social justice are found in the Catechism (1928 - 1948).  It begins with the premise of respect for life; the basis of the pro-life movement, which is a social justice activity.

Of themselves and divorced from Gods grace these “good acts” can only merit a natural reward: i.e. (human praise or material benefit).

According to Teresa of Calcutta, this here is social work, not a ministry.  Right on target.


And this is the basis for all social justice.  It has to do with what we will be judged by at death. 
Matthew 25: 31-46

31 And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. 32 And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. 34 Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:
36 Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. 37 Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? 39 Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? 40 And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.
41 Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44 Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? 45 Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.
46 And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

And here is the great comfort for all those who work for social justice:
Luke 7:47   
Wherefore I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less.


Martinfegan and Shin, 
I have never meet a Catholic active in social justice of any kind: pro-life, jail ministry, ministry to the dying, to the unwed mothers, to the poor...... that do not have a regular prayer life.  It may not be adoration or rosary or chaplets but they do have a prayer life. 
Blessings,
Bailey2     

[martin]

And this is the basis for all social justice.  It has to do with what we will be judged by at death.
Matthew 25: 31-46

100% in agreement Baily2.
This surely would be working with a supernatural motive

Martinfegan and Shin,
I have never meet a Catholic active in social justice of any kind: pro-life, jail ministry, ministry to the dying, to the unwed mothers, to the poor...... that do not have a regular prayer life.

Me neither. I have met some who didn't pray but ended up praying. Those who didn't soon gave up the fight.

It may not be adoration or rosary or chaplets but they do have a prayer life.

Those who don't use these are neglecting the greatest weapons of all. One should use the whole arsenal when the enemy is using his.

[Bailey2]

Those who don't use these are neglecting the greatest weapons of all. One should use the whole arsenal when the enemy is using his.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that for all people (those particular forms of prayer); though I suspect that is true for you and many.  I would say however that the sacraments, especially confession and holy mass/eucharist are indispensable.   

[Brigid]

Those who don't use these are neglecting the greatest weapons of all. One should use the whole arsenal when the enemy is using his.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that for all people (those particular forms of prayer); though I suspect that is true for you and many.  I would say however that the sacraments, especially confession and holy mass/eucharist are indispensable.   

I don't think that Martin meant that those particular ways of prayer were necessary, absolutely. I think he was saying that the more different kinds of spiritual weapons we use the easier it will be for us.

[Bailey2]

OK,  all said with lightness of heart   

Brigid, like your new avatar.  Hmmm, when I get a chance, I'm getting bored with mine too.

but I have always liked Martinfegan's.  Everytime I think of him, I think he has the face of Padre Pio!!!

[Brigid]

OK,  all said with lightness of heart   

Brigid, like your new avatar.  Hmmm, when I get a chance, I'm getting bored with mine too.

but I have always liked Martinfegan's.  Everytime I think of him, I think he has the face of Padre Pio!!!

I'm glad you like it. I have a wall plaque of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal looking down at me in bed. She seems so motherly - like Our Lady of Guadelupe.
I always think of Martin as looking like Padre Pio, too.

[Patricia]

I always think of Martin as looking like Padre Pio, too. Grin

Same here. Strange.

[Bailey2]

Not too strange......... that's all we see; not his real face.  What can you do, right? 

[martin]

I thought I saw that smile leave Padre Pio’s face when you all thought I might look like him.   
I noticed the latest member here is a nephew of mine. He’ll be able to confirm that I don’t even have a beard. He’s just returned to the States after a few weeks home in Ireland and glad he’s got back safe n sound.
These changing avatars take a bita gettin  used to as I too pictured you all as looking like your saint. (except Baily2 who I pictured as looking like my sons R.E teacher, A real saintly woman too I might add).   

[Patricia]

I thought I saw that smile leave Padre Pio’s face when you all thought I might look like him.   Embarrassed

  I knew you'd have a good comeback.

[Bailey2]

(except Baily2 who I pictured as looking like my sons R.E teacher,

**** darn......... I thought you would picture me looking like the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe!  

I noticed the latest member here is a nephew of mine.

does this mean I have to behave?   

[martin]

**** darn......... I thought you would picture me looking like the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe!   Wink

I would do Baily2 but She's so iconic in that image and I would picture you more post vat2ish 

does this mean I have to behave?   Shocked

Of course not...Sure we wouldn't have you any other way.... He's got a good helping of the Irish wit has our Kieran and even more orthodox than me haha   

[Bailey2]

I would do Baily2 but She's so iconic in that image and I would picture you more post vat2ish  Smiley

Ah, long hair, flowered clothes, short-shorts, and mid-drift?  (at 50).......... 

and even more orthodox than me haha

Ohmygosh, how is this possible?   

[Bailey2]

'Every good work which we perform through our own natural powers causes us to refrain from the corresponding sin; but without grace it cannot contribute to our sanctification.'
St. Mark the Ascetic

Back to the original for a minute:  I thought grace was abundant and shines on both the good and the bad?  Isn't it possible that God uses the charity done as a means to Him?  You know, those who seek with a sincere heart?  (am I in trouble yet?   ).   Remember, I am one who does not think Saint's statements are always fully correct.