Day 294: Homicide (2268-2269)

• It’s Day 294!!

• INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE

• There are a number of different degrees of homicide

• Paragraph 2268 says, “The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance. Infanticide, fratricide, parricide, and the murder of a spouse are especially grave crimes by reason of the natural bonds which they break. Concern for eugenics or public health cannot justify any murder, even if commanded by public authority.”

• Paragraph 2269 says, “The fifth commandment forbids doing anything with the intention of indirectly bringing about a person’s death. The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason, as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger. The acceptance by human society of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense. Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them. Unintentional killing is not morally imputable. But one is not exonerated from grave offense if, without proportionate reasons, he has acted in a way that brings about someone’s death, even without the intention to do so.”

• Everything we could say about the commandments is incredibly serious

• These are God’s commands to human beings

• Intentional killing and unintentional killing are really big deals

• Let’s pray!!

Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven, we love you. You are our Father. You are our Dad because of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose from the dead for us, who send His Holy Spirit into our lives, into our hearts. And we might call out Abba, Father! You are a good Dad. You call us to care for each other in the way that you care for us, to care for each other in the way that your Son, Jesus Christ cares for us. You are the God of life, and any intentional, direct killing of an innocent human being, Lord God, is reprehensible to you. Lord God, for those of us who are listening to this podcast today, and this is part of our story, we ask for a spirit of contrition. We ask for a spirit of repentance to come into our hearts now and always, that we can turn to you in our weakness, in our brokenness, in our sinfulness, and receive your mercy. Lord God, anyone who is part of this community and has this as part of their story, I ask that you please meet them right now with your mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen”

• So there we have it!!

• This is directly applicable to the most immediate application of the Commandment, “Thou Shall Not Kill”

• Paragraph 2268 says, “The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance. Infanticide, fratricide, parricide, and the murder of a spouse are especially grave crimes by reason of the natural bonds which they break. Concern for eugenics or public health cannot justify any murder, even if commanded by public authority.”

• If there is a culture or movement or government that mandates ending an innocent human being’s life because of sickness, ethnicity, intellect, etc. IT IS ALWAYS WRONG

• Any form of eugenics is gravely sinful

• Some aspect of that human being is deemed undesirable by society, whether it be race, intellect, old age, or health 

• Paragraph 2269 says, “The fifth commandment forbids doing anything with the intention of indirectly bringing about a person’s death. The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason, as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger. The acceptance by human society of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense. Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them. Unintentional killing is not morally imputable. But one is not exonerated from grave offense if, without proportionate reasons, he has acted in a way that brings about someone’s death, even without the intention to do so.”

• There is enough food in the world right now to feed everyone

• The reason that there are people who are still starving is because of corrupt governments who are not accepting the assistance that other, more prosperous governments are offering

• There are famines without efforts to remedy them

• Country X is trying to support country Y

• The government of country Y is corrupt and now allowing their people to receive assistance from country X

• This is a relatively common occurrence

• This is a GRAVE OFFENSE

• Unintentional killing is something like manslaughter like what happens in an accident

• I could not have foreseen what would happen

• BUT…

• If I was driving in a reckless way, and unintentionally killed someone, I could be morally culpable

• Same thing with drinking and driving

• I would be morally responsible for that killing

• If you are someone who had killed someone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, whether directly or indirectly, the Lord wants to offer YOU His mercy

• Fr. Mike is praying FOR YOU!!

• Please pray for Fr. Mike and for each other!!

• I cannot WAIT…