532. Detachment

532. What does Jesus call for in poverty of spirit? 2544-2547 2556 Jesus calls his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone. Detachment from riches – in the spirit of evangelical poverty – and self-abandonment to divine providence free us from anxiety about the future and prepare us for the blessedness of the “poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mathew 5:3).

531. Goods

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT: YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S POSSESSIONS

531. What is required and what is forbidden by the tenth commandment? 2534-2540 2551-2554 This commandment, which completes the preceding commandment, requires an interior attitude of respect for the property of others and forbids greed, unbridled covetousness for the goods of others, and envy which is the sadness one experiences at the sight of another’s goods and the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself.

530. Permissiveness

530. What are the other requirements for purity? 2521-2527 2533 Purity requires modesty which, while protecting the intimate center of the person, expresses the sensitivity of chastity. It guides how one looks at others and behaves toward them in conformity with the dignity of persons and their communion. Purity frees one from wide-spread eroticism and avoids those things which foster morbid curiosity. Purity also requires a purification of the social climate by means of a constant struggle against moral permissiveness which is founded on an erroneous conception of human freedom.

529. Prayer

529. How does one reach purity of heart? 2520 In the battle against disordered desires the baptised person is able, by the grace of God, to achieve purity of heart through the virtue and gift of chastity, through purity of intention, purity of vision (both exterior and interior), discipline of the imagination and of feelings and by prayer.

528. desires

528. What is forbidden by the ninth commandment? 2517-2519 2531-2532 The ninth commandment forbids cultivating thoughts and desires connected to actions forbidden by the sixth commandment.

526. Beauty

526. What relationship exists between truth, beauty and sacred art? 2500-2503 2513 The truth is beautiful, carrying in itself the splendour of spiritual beauty. In addition to the expression of the truth in words there are other complementary expressions of the truth, most specifically in the beauty of artistic works. These are the fruit both of talents given by God and of human effort. Sacred art by being true and beautiful should evoke and glorify the mystery of God made visible in Christ, and lead to the adoration and love of God, the Creator and Savior, who is the surpassing, invisible Beauty of Truth and Love.

527. Thought

527. What is required by the ninth commandment? 2514-2516 2528-2530 The ninth commandment requires that one overcome carnal concupiscence in thought and in desire. The struggle against such concupiscence entails purifying the heart and practicing the virtue of temperance.