United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Chapter 23. Life in Christ—Part One • 309

dations for a life of authentic Christian discipleship and the attainment of ultimate happiness. They give spirit to the Law of the Ten Commandments and bring perfection to moral life. That spirit is ultimately the spirit of love. In response to a question from the leader of the people, Jesus taught that love is at the heart of all law. You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first com mandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Mt 22:37-39) Jesus is the teacher sent by the Father to bring us to perfect happi ness in God. Jesus teaches us the way to the Father. • LIFE IN CHRIST—PART ONE: THE FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN MORALITY Part One of the Catechism of the Catholic Church presents the Creed— the revealed truths of the divine plan of salvation and the invitation to faith in this Revelation. Part Two presents the Seven Sacraments by which the saving grace of God is made available to us. We receive this gift of divine love by our participation in the Christian mysteries. Part Three explores our life in Christ and the Holy Spirit, which we have received through Revelation and the Sacraments. It unfolds the various ways we respond to divine love through our personal and social moral behavior. In Section One of Part Three, the Catechism explores the various elements, principles, and foundations of Christian morality by address ing the dignity of the human person, the human community, and God’s salvation through God’s law and grace. In Section Two, it applies these principles to each of the Ten Commandments. We will follow this order, beginning in this chapter with who we are as human beings called to live a moral life.