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 Grace and Sin
as Relational Realities
Christian life is basically a love
relationship expressed in the
service of God and neighbor.
To say we are in the state of
grace is to say we are living in
a positive relationship of love
with God, whereas living in the
state of sin means that we have
broken our love relationship
with God.
Vincent Genovesi
 àundamental Option

The basic commitment for or against

God made by a human person ± the
basic orientation of his life in relation
to God ± either towards obedience
and fidelity or to selfishness and
disobedience of God could be called
the R



.




. This basic
commitment gives unity to the moral
and spiritual life of a man and, as St.
Thomas Aquinas noted, is ³not easily p
 
lost´
 
(De Veritate, 27, 1 and 9).  
   
 
 
  
 

 The Psychological Dimension
The human person is a
complex, multi-level being
with different levels of We engage the outer
personal involvement in
the making of moral portions of the psyche when
decisions. we make ordinary everyday
Small, unimportant decisions decisions.
Serious decisions engage
More serious decisions

Core, life-
us far more profoundly and
orienting
decisions
touch our deep convictions
At the very core of our being
the whole direction and
orientation of our life is made.
 àundamental Option and
Human Actions
Human actions do not constitute
a plurality of isolated,
disconnected good or sinful
deeds, which can be sufficiently
understood and judged each by
itself. They usually have their
roots in basic decisions which
give purpose and determination
to the whole of man¶s life.
Karl Peschke
 àundamental Option and
Human Actions
Thus, the question we need to
ask is not so much ³what wrong
things have I done and how
often?´ Rather we should be
asking ourselves ³how do the
wrong things I have done indicate
my general orientation to God, my
love for God, my love for my
neighbor? The real question is:
³what are the desires, the
tendencies, the habits, the values
that govern my life?´ ³Where is
my life heading?´ - Ian Knox
 





Aurelio àernandez and James Socias. ›









.




. Scepter Publishers, Inc.:
Princeton, New Jersey. 1997.
Vincent J. Genovesi. 
  
 

 
! Jesuit Communications
 
 
àoundation, Inc.: Quezon City, Philippines. 2003.
Ian Knox. 
 



 2nd edition. Novalis: Ottawa,
2

 




Canada. 1994.
Karl H. Peschke. 
" 


  
#.. Divine Word Publications: Manila. 1996.
#