RCIA – Additional Session A

The Moral Life — Living What the Church Teaches

RCIA – Additional Session A
This session forms part of a structured introduction to the Catholic Faith used in parish RCIA. It is intended to be read slowly and prayerfully, alongside participation in the life of the Church. This material is offered for formation and reflection. Reception into the Catholic Church always involves personal discernment and parish accompaniment.

Aim of this session

By the end of this session, participants should understand that:

  • Catholic morality flows from truth about the human person
  • commandments protect dignity rather than restrict freedom
  • grace makes moral life possible
  • growth in holiness is gradual, not instant
  • moral failure does not end the journey

This session answers:

What kind of life does the Catholic Faith actually call us to live?

1. Morality Is Not Arbitrary

Catholic morality is not:

  • a list of rules
  • cultural habit
  • religious control

It flows from:

  • who God is
  • who the human person is
  • what we are made for

Because the human person is:

  • created
  • rational
  • free

actions matter.

Morality is about living in truth, not obeying power.

2. Freedom and the Moral Law

Freedom is not:

doing whatever one wants

Freedom is:

the ability to choose the good knowingly and willingly.

The moral law exists because:

  • truth precedes choice
  • reality does not bend to preference

Commandments do not limit freedom.
They protect it.

3. The Commandments in Brief

The commandments:

  • order us toward God
  • order us toward one another

They protect:

  • worship
  • life
  • marriage
  • truth
  • justice

They are not arbitrary tests.
They describe what love looks like in action.

4. Grace and Moral Growth

The Catholic Faith does not teach:

  • “try harder”
  • “be perfect immediately”

It teaches:

grace heals, strengthens, and elevates human freedom.

Moral growth is:

  • gradual
  • sometimes uneven
  • real

Failure does not disqualify.
Refusal to repent does.

5. Why the Moral Life Matters

Morality matters because:

  • actions shape the soul
  • sin damages relationship
  • virtue strengthens freedom

Holiness is not moral perfectionism.
It is fidelity over time.

6. Closing Reflection

If my life is ordered toward truth and love, what must change — slowly, honestly, and with grace?