RECALLING:
Lesson 6: Stoic Apathea
Lesson 7: Seeking Happiness and
Seeking God
Lesson 8: Objective Sources of
Christian Morality
Lesson 9: Subjective Sources of
Morality
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the lesson, learners will be
able to:
1. identify the different types of love found
in City of God Book XIV Chap. 7 and
demonstrate knowledge of Christian
Doctrine Book 1, Chaps. 22-29.
2. write a personal reflection which seeks
self-understanding or to be enlightened
by grace regarding their own loves and
where these may fall in the types of love
and how love is rightly ordered.
3. express love by participating in an
outreach activity.
➢ Christian love is a central
theme in theology
➢ We'll explore perspectives
from St. Augustine and
Pope Benedict XVI
➢ Focus on the proper
ordering of love and its
significance in Christian
life
➢ Jesus teaches about
prioritizing heavenly
treasures over earthly
ones
➢ Emphasizes trust in God's
provision
➢ Encourages seeking first
the Kingdom of God
➢ Highlights the importance
of spiritual values over
material concerns
1. Treasures in Heaven
(Verses 19-21)
2. The Eye as the Lamp
(Verses 22-23)
3. Serving Two Masters
(Verse 24)
4. Do Not Worry
(Verses 25-30)
5. Seek First the Kingdom
(Verses 31-34)
➢ discusses different types of love
➢ Contrasts love of God with love of
self and worldly things
➢ Two fundamental types of love:
➢Caritas (Charity or Divine Love)-
Love that is holy and selfless and
directed towards God.
➢Cupiditas (Lust or Worldly Love)-
Love that is worldly and self-
centered
➢ Introduces the concept of
"ordo amoris" (right order
of love)
➢ Proper ordering of love is
crucial for Christian life
➢ God should be loved above
all else, followed by love for
others and self
➢ Uti (to use): Loving things as
means to an end
➢ Frui (to enjoy): Loving things as
ends in themselves
➢ God alone should be "enjoyed"
(frui); all else should be "used"
(uti) to reach God
➢ Proper use of worldly things: as
means to love and serve God
➢ Improper enjoyment: treating
created things as ultimate ends
➢ Challenge: maintaining right
perspective on temporal goods
➢ Goal: using all things in reference
to our love for God
Pope Benedict XVI: Deus Caritas Est
➢ Encyclical letter published in
2005
➢ Explores the nature of love
from a Christian perspective
➢ Emphasizes the connection
between God's love and human
love
1. Christian Love as Agape (No. 12): That Christian
love (agape) is distinct from mere sentiment.
2. The Interconnection of Love and Justice (No. 13):
That love and justice are intertwined.
3. The Role of the Church (No. 14): That the Church
is called to embody this love in the world.
4. The Relationship between Faith and Works (No.
15): That genuine love leads to good works.
5. Love as a Response to God’s Love (No. 16): That
Christians are called to love in response to the
love they receive from God.
6. The Community of Love (No. 17): That love is
realized in relationships within the Christian
community.
7. Eschatological Dimension of Love (No. 18): That
love reaches its fulfillment in God, who is love
itself.
God's Love as the Foundation
➢ Benedict XVI emphasizes God's
love as the source of all love
➢ Human ability to love is a
reflection of God's love
➢ Christian love is a response to
God's initiating love
➢ This perspective aligns with
Augustine's emphasis on loving
God above all
Love of Neighbor
➢ Both Augustine and Benedict
XVI stressed the importance
of loving others
➢ Rooted in the commandment
to "love your neighbor as
yourself"
➢ Augustine: loving others is an
extension of loving God
➢ Benedict XVI: service to
others is an expression of love
for God
Challenges to Proper Love
➢ Materialism and
consumerism (relate to
Matthew 6:19-34)
➢ Self-centeredness and
pride
➢ Misunderstanding the
nature of true love
➢ Difficulty in balancing
different types of love
Practical Applications
➢ Regular self-examination of
one's priorities and loves
➢ Cultivating gratitude for
God's love and blessings
➢ Practicing selfless love in
relationships and
community
➢ Using temporal goods and
talents in service of God
and others
Contemporary Relevance
➢ These teachings remain
significant in today's world
➢ Offer guidance in
navigating relationships
and priorities
➢ Provide a framework for
ethical decision-making
➢ Encourage a holistic view
of love that integrates faith
and daily life
Conclusion
❖ Christian love is multifaceted
but centered on God
❖ Proper ordering of love is
crucial for spiritual growth
❖ The teachings of Augustine
and Benedict XVI offer
timeless wisdom
❖ Challenge: to continually align
our loves with God's will and
purpose
EXTENDING
1. The class will be divided into
12 groups.
2. Each group will perform an
outreach activity or works of
mercy.
3. The activity shall be
documented and presented as
group output to be shared in
the class.
