by Mandy Cox
Where do ethics intersect everyday life?
It can be tempting to assume that ethics, theology, moral teaching and the like belong in the halls of academic institutions. Often it can be difficult to see where ethical and philosophical principles intersect everyday life. Even more so, the topics in the Catechism can feel best left to the experts. However, our daily interactions and conversations present countless opportunities to invite others to the truth.
What is Everyday Ethics?
Everyday Ethics explores topics that impact our lives and our work, bringing lofty ideas into our daily lives.
Everyday Ethics takes complex Catholic teachings on morality and ethics, and breaks them into relatable topics to assist us in our daily interactions.
Catholic businesses and ministries have the right to operate their businesses in line with the faith, but we want to ensure that we can explain our beliefs in the wider context of our work. The issues that are most difficult to discuss are those topics where the current culture and Church teaching don’t see eye to eye. These issues are deeply personal and it can be tempting to avoid deeper explanations or fail to meet the pastoral needs of the situation.
Everyday Ethics seeks to bridge this gap.
Teaching the truth with love.
While we may recognize that many people lack of understanding when it comes to Catholic moral teaching, these teachings can feel difficult to explain or alienating to those on the “outside”. The need for each of us to “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Pet 3:15) can feel intimidating. Issues like abortions, contraception, artificial reproduction, divorce, homosexuality, gender ideology, and more pose personal challenges to each of us, making them difficult to explain in the moment.
It can feel easier to just say, “The Church says so.”
However, each of these deeply personal areas present us with a great opportunity, if we can see it. Each of these areas is an opportunity to share the truth of a God who loves us, made us, and gives us the secret to live lives of joy and fulfillment. We just need some help putting it into words.
Rarely are we given the chance to provide the presentation of the full teaching of the Church in these areas in one conversation. However, by breaking these teachings into smaller conversations we can truly journey with people to discover the fullness of truth.