Choose a topic from Part 2A:

90. The Essence of Law

1. Law is an ordinance of reason. The word lawderives from a Latin word which means to bind. Now, therule or measure of human acts is reason; what binds a man inreference to human acts pertains to reason.

2. Law is an ordinance of reason for the common good ofpersons in a society. Law is not directly for the benefit ofindividual persons as such, although it binds individual persons.Law is primarily for the benefit of individuals in a group, in asociety.

3. A law is thus an ordinance of reason for the commongood. A law is made either by the society which it binds, or it isimposed on that society by the public personage who has charge ofthe society and authority to rule it.

4. A law must be promulgated. That is, it must besufficiently announced and made known to those upon whom it laysobligation. Without knowledge of a law, a person cannot be guidedby it in his human acts. The full definition of law is: anordinance of reason, made and promulgated for the common good byone who has charge of a community or society.

"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori

* * *

"The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you."
Thomas á Kempis

* * *

"Let no one wear a mask, otherwise he will do ill; and if he has one, let him burn it."
St Philip Neri

* * *