What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?

(Ps 8:5)

The Touch of the Masters Hand

By Myra Brooks Welch Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin But held it up with a smile. What I am bidden, good folks, he cried, Wholl start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar, then , two! Only two? Two dollars, and wholl make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice; And going for three. . .But no,

From the room, far back, a gray-haired

man
Came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust from the old wind, And tightening the loose strings, He played a melody pure and sweet As a caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low, Said: What am I bid for the old violin And he held it up with the bow A thousand dollars, and wholl make it three? Two thousand! And wholl make it three? Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;

The people cheered, but some of them cried, We do not quite understand What changed its worth? Swift came the reply: The touch of a masters hand. And many a man with life out And battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtfulness crowd, Much like the old violin. A mess of potage, a glass of wine; A game- and he travels on.

He is going once, and going twice, Hes going and almost gone. But the Master of a soul and the change thats wrought By the touch of the Masters hand.

I. Moral Agent: The Human Person

Christian Morality life is simply: 1. the call to becoming loving persons 2. in the fullness ( completeness) of life-with-others-in-community before God 3. in imitation of Jesus Christ

Key to Moral life Human person (considered in the light of reason (understanding) and faith) Who Am I, as a person in community? As a Disciple of Christ in his Church? PCP II: How do you live as Filipino Christians in our situation of Lights

TCFC p. 524
The sense of dignity of human person: whole and entire body and soul heart and conscience mind and will * But just who or what is the human person according to reason and Faith?

p. 535
Persons in Christ We have acquired full awareness of our dignity in Christ and through Christ

p. 536

Christ reveals how the essential dignity of all persons is grounded directly on their:

A. Origin - We are created by God in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:26) - Through Christ, through whom everything was made and through whom we love (1Cor. 8:16)
B. Meaning we are redeemed by blood of Christ (EPH. 1: 7; Col. 1:14) and sanctified by indwelling spirit (Rom. 8:1416; 1Cor. 6:19) - all persons are called to be children of God (1Jn. 3:1) C. Destiny - eternal life of blessed communion with the Father, His risen-incarnate Son and the Holy Spirit (CCC, 1692)

Nature of Person in Experience

1. Relational and Open - No man is an island - We grow into our full selves, as persons in relating with others Being persons means being by others (our conception, birth, upbringing) Being with others (family, friends, neighbors, business assoc.)

2. Persons are conscious beings - aware of themselves in their out-going acts

Intellect
- the power to perceive, interpret, know and understand the highest faculty of the human soul. Free Will - the power to make conscious, deliberate choice or to control what one does Rational - able to reason

3. Persons are embodied spirits - unity between our body and soul Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit . . . so glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

4. Persons are historical realities - we are pilgrims on-the-way who become our full selves

5. Persons are unique yet fundamental equal

I Promise to be a refined La Sallian gentleman/lady.