Catholic Church Teaching - Still Roman Catholic After All These Years

ORIGINAL SIN

CATECHESIS cat·e·che·sis /ˌkadəˈkēsəs/

Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations.

Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time. Matthew 28:18-20

ORIGINAL SIN

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Father of Mercies, we thank you for the waters of Baptism that cleansed us of Original Sin. We beg you to grant us the grace to avoid personal sin, to repent when we fall, and turn back to you, in Jesus’ name we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

THE FALL FROM GRACE

The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it Genesis 3:6

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 385 – 390 The Fall from Grace

CCC 391 – 395 The Fall of the Angels

CCC 396 – 409 Consequences of Original Sin

CCC 410 – 412 God’s Promise – “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”

In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve In His image and likeness, He endowed them with intelligence, love, freedom, and conscience. He gave them the grace of “original holiness.”

Man and the world began in harmony and grace, not sin. The inner harmony between man and woman, and the harmony between man and all of creation comprised the state of “original justice.”

This harmony of “original justice,” God’s original plan for man, is lost by the sin of our first parents. It is called Original Sin. God “tested” our first parents by forbidding them to eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” The tree, off limits to man, was a symbol of the limits humans have as creatures to choose.

TREE OF GOOD AND EVIL

Our freedom to choose means we are free to choose good. To choose evil is enslavement to sin and means estrangement from God. God’s moral laws govern our freedom. To step outside these moral laws is to assume a freedom never granted to man. One of the consequences of “original sin” is the loss of grace, a sharing in God’s divine life.

All descendants of these first parents also inherit concupiscence which is a darkened mind, a weakened will, and disordered passions.

We did not commit “original sin.” But we are born with its effects, a wounded human nature in body and soul and estrangement from God’s divine life. Our plight is not hopeless, however. Baptism restores us to friendship with God but the wounds of original sin remain.

To ignore the fact of sin in human history is plain foolhardy. By any other name we may call it, character flaw, mistake, or weakness, an offense against God is a sin, plain and simple.

Before the fall of man was the spiritual fall of the angels. God, too, as in the case of man created the angels good. Satan and other demons became evil by their own doing, choosing to reject God.

Due to their “spiritual” nature the Angels’ choice was singular and irrevocable. “The fall of the angels consists in the free choice of these created spirits to radically and irrevocably reject God and his reign.” 2 Peter 2:4

The tempter of our first parents, says to Adam and Eve, “You will be like Gods.” Genesis 3:5. The devil, a sinner from the beginning is a liar and Father of lies.

In the Garden, Man, tempted by the devil, abused his freedom and disobeyed God’s command. Immediately Adam and Eve lost the state of original harmony. They became afraid of God and hid from Him.

The union of man and woman became subject to tensions, lust, and domination. The rest of creation became hostile and alien to man. Death enters into human history. Because of man’s act of disobedience, all of creation is now subject to death and decay.

Why God permitted sin in the first place remains a mystery. But we do know God can bring a greater good from evil. To quote St. Thomas Aquinas, “God permits evil in order to draw forth some greater good.”

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Father, how wonderful that you care for us! How boundless your merciful love! Lord God, we praise you for creating man and still more for restoring him in Christ Jesus your Son who shared in our weakness that we may share in His glory now and forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1. When I look back on my life where do I see the effects of original sin most apparent? ie. darkened mind, weakened will, disordered passions.

2.At the end of each day, what do I notice about the difference between what I intended to do and what I actually did?

3. How can I develop the habit of choosing good?

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PRAYER

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,

by the Divine Power of God, cast into hell Satan

and all the evil spirits who roam throughout the world

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen

IN HIS IMAGE:GOD CREATED THEM MALE AND FEMALE

CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

CATECHESIS

Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time. Matthew 28:18-20

IN HIS IMAGE GOD CREATED THEM MALE AND FEMALE

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, you have made us in your Divine image. In your image, transform us, that we may be a more faithful reflection of your love on earth and be faithful stewards of your creation. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 355 – 358 In the Image of God

CCC 362 – 365 Unity of Body and Soul

CCC 369 – 373 Male and Female, a unity of two

CCC 374 – 379 Original Integrity

“Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground. God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

Human nature is made up of matter and spirit. “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (soul) and man became a living being. Genesis. 2:7 The soul images God in consciousness, in intelligence, in love, and in freedom to choose.

Our souls are created at our conception and do not perish when separated from the physical body at death.

The Catholic Church teaches (CCC #366) that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God – it is not “produced” by the parents – and also that it is immortal: it does not perish when it separates from the body at death, and it will be reunited with the body at the final Resurrection.”

God created sexual and gender differences. He created us male and female. Both have one and the same dignity in the image of God. God is neither man nor woman. God is pure Spirit.

God created man and woman together and willed each for the other. Man discovers woman as another “I,” sharing the same humanity. “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. Genesis 2:23

In marriage, a man and woman relates in a communion of love that images the Holy Trinity. This married love is intended to be creative and generative in producing new human life according to God’s blessing, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Genesis.1:28

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Loving God, after creating the universe, you formed man out of dust from the earth and breathed into him a soul that would never die. Help us to use our minds to know you, our free will to love you, and one day bring us home to eternal life with You forever and ever. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1 We image God in our soul’s capacity to know, act freely, and make moral judgments based on an informed conscience.

How well am I imaging God right now?

How can I exercise these soul qualities more effectively?

2. God purposely created masculinity and femininity. male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

What does God’s word say to you about Gender Identity?

Man and Women in union in marriage imitates the love relationship in the Holy Trinity and fruitful in producing new human life according to God’s blessing, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Genesis.1:28

How does this fact of God’s plan affect support for same-sex marriage?

3. How does I am made in image and likeness of God affect the way I view others especially the less desirable?

I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD

1 Comment / CATECHESIS

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending us your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. With grateful hearts, send us your Spirit to enlighten our minds and enflame our hearts to know and love your Son more deeply through our study of the teachings of your holy Catholic Church. Amen

JESUS CHRIST SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 422 – 429 The Person of Jesus Christ

CCC 430 – 435 The Name of Jesus

CCC 441 – 445 The Only Son of God

CCC 446 – 451 Jesus the Lord

“And the angel Gabriel came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”…”and behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son and you will call his name, Jesus.”

…”and Mary said to the angel, “How can that be since I have no husband?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you, therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” Luke 1:28, 31, 34-35

JESUS IS SON OF GOD. SON OF MARY.

TRUE GOD AND TRUE MAN.

The Son of God worked with human hands; he thought with a human mind; he acted with a human will; and he loved with a human heart. Born of the Virgin Mary, he has truly been made one of us, like us in all things, except sin.

Vatican II, Gaudium Spes #22

It is true Jesus was a human being like us in all things but for sin. But we must not diminish His divinity by placing a disproportionate emphasis on his humanity.

. There are a lot of great men in history. We revere Abraham Lincoln but we worship Jesus because He is God. .Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Most Holy Trinity.

MOST HOLY TRINITY FATHER SON HOLY SPIRIT

In Hebrew, the name Jesus means, “God saves.” The name, “Jesus,” expresses both his identity and his mission. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.”

It was because He was God and Man that his sacrificial offering on Calvary could redeem us from our sins and restore us again to life in the Father.

Christ is not Jesus’ last name! The word Christ comes from the Greek and is a translation of the Hebrew, Messiah, meaning “anointed one.” The name Christ became proper to Jesus because he perfectly accomplished the divine mission that His Father gave him.

Another title Jesus goes by is Lord. In the Old Testament God’s name in Hebrew was Yahweh. That Hebrew name is translated in the New Testament into the Greek as Kyrios, and then Lord into English. At his birth, Jesus was announced by the angels to the shepherds, “To you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11!

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

All praise and thanksgiving be given to Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend and every tongue confess, Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, in the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

Jesus became man to live among us, to reveal to us what it means to be sons and daughters of the Father. What transformations do I think I have to make in my life to pattern my life more after the life of Jesus?

2 Why is it important to me to express my faith in Jesus’ divinity as well as his humanity?

3. When I meditate on the name of Jesus, what kinds of thoughts and images come to my mind?

JESUS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT-BORN OF A VIRGIN

4 Comments / CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

CATECHESIS (cat·e·che·sis ) to transmit the Gospel

Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission with these words to His apostles, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always, until the end of time. Matthew 28:18-20

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, in your mercy, bless us through the intercession of Holy Mary who conceived your only begotten Son, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 456 – 463 The Incarnation

CCC 464 – 478 True God-True Man

CCC 484 – 486 “By the Power of the Holy Spirit”

CCC 487 – 507 “Born of the Virgin”

In Bethlehem we encounter a most astonishing mystery, God becoming man. How much love does that take? God to empty himself, taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men. Phillipians 2:7

In Jesus Christ, God shows us a human face. In Jesus Christ, a human face shows us the face of God. As son of God, Jesus is Divine. As son of Mary, Jesus is human.

At the Annunciation, the whole universe, heaven and earth, waited for Mary’s reply. Adam and Eve begged her to say yes. So also did Abraham, Moses, and David from Sheol, the realm of the dead. Isiah 38:10

In that silence Mary gathered up her whole soul filled with the fullness of grace. The answer came from the depths of her very being, in union with God, “May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

HAIL FULL OF GRACE

God the Father blessed Mary from the foundations of the world, chose her to be holy and blameless. Through the merits of her Son’s passion and death, Mary remained free of any personal sin her whole life long.

The Annunciation inaugurates the fullness of time of God’s promise and preparations. The Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of Life is sent by the Father to sanctify Mary’s womb…. the Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit The Angelus

The angel coming to her, said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus…..

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:28-35

Why did the Word become Flesh? “For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven by the power of the Holy Spirit; he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made Flesh.” Nicene Creed

Jesus Christ is True God and True Man in nature. He is one Divine person, the second person of the Most Holy Trinity, God the Son. Jesus has a human intellect and human will and a divine intellect and divine will.

As the God-Man, Jesus could increase in “human wisdom and human stature in favor with God.” Luke 2:52 Jesus did learn from human experience. i.e. improved carpentry skills

In his Divine Person, Christ enjoyed the fullness of understanding of the eternal plans he had come to reveal and accomplish. There was never a time He did not know and understand His Divine mission. i.e. Jesus 12 years of age in temple, “I must be in my Father’s house.” Luke 2:49

In his human will, Christ submitted in obedience to his Father’s will for the salvation of the world. Christ’s human will does not resist or oppose the divine will of the Father. In obedience, Jesus submits to the will of the Father.

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that you are True God and True man. You are God’s only begotten Son and Son of Mary. In you there is the fullness of divinity. You are the divine Word of God made man. May we give you glory now and forever and share in your divine life as you have shared in ours. Amen.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

By becoming man, Jesus proved His love for me. How can I love Jesus in return?

2. Reflect on the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, the handmaid of the Lord. What stands out?

3. Mary is our model of obedience of faith. Where Eve failed, Mary, the new Eve succeeded. How am I when it comes to choosing God’s will over my own will?

JESUS OF THE GOSPELS

CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

CATECHESIS cat·e·che·sis /ˌkadəˈkēsəs/

Jesus empowered the Church to continue His mission when He said, Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Matthew 28:18 (Catechesis: Teach the Faith)

JESUS OF THE GOSPELS

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Oh my Jesus, Divine Word of the Father, as we read the Gospels, help us to know you more deeply, love you more tenderly, and follow you more closely. To you, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 512 – 521The Mystery of Christ’s Life

CCC 522 – 534The Infancy and Hidden Life

CCC 535 – 540 Jesus’ Public Life

CCC 541 – 556 Proclamation of the Kingdom

The Gospels were written “that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God and that through that belief you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

The Gospels are a narrative of Christ’s earthly life and the revelation of the Father in the very person of Jesus Christ. “The Father and I are one. Who sees me sees the father.” John 10:30

Jesus’ hidden life in Nazareth in obedience to his mother and foster father fulfills perfectly the fourth commandment; “Honor your father and your mother.”

Jesus’ obedience is the undoing of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. His ordinary life as an apprentice carpenter and growing in wisdom and stature under the guidance of his earthly parents is our journey too.

Jesus’ public life began with his baptism by John. Though he was without sin, he submitted himself to his Father’s will and he, without sin, took on all the sins of the world. The Father responded in complete delight, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the “kingdom is at hand, repent. Jesus came to call sinners.“I came to call sinners, not the righteous.” Mark 2:17

The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor, the humble of heart, the poor in spirit, the meek of heart, those who humbly acknowledge their need and dependency on God. See the Sermon on the Mount (Beatitudes) Matthew 5

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY

Jesus challenges us, “One who loses his life will find it.” Matthew 10:39 We must give everything to God. Didn’t God give everything for us, even his very life on the cross of redemption? God must reign in our hearts.

Jesus did not come to eradicate all evil and suffering. Jesus came to free mankind from the greatest oppression of all, the bondage of sin.

At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus chose twelve ordinary men and sinners like ourselves to teach and train so they may participate in his mission to build the kingdom.

Simon Peter holds a significant place among these twelve apostles. “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

Jesus entrusted a special authority to Peter to preserve and defend the faith. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT JOHN 20:22

This power of binding and loosing is the authority given to Peter and his successors to absolve sins, pronounce judgments on doctrines of faith, and make disciplinary decisions in the life of the Church. Jesus has promised that His Church will be protected from error in its teachings of faith and morals through the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of Life.

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Jesus, Divine Savior, we believe that you came to earth to bring to the world your Divine Life, to save us from sin, and to make the world new again. We thank you for your mercy and love. Bless us with your peace and good will. Amen.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

What does it mean to me that everyone, even those I don’t like, are invited to enter the kingdom of heaven? Am I that generous?
Read Matthew 25. Jesus tells us whatever we do to the least of our brethren we do to him. How can I do a better job performing the corporal works of mercy described in Matthew?
We are also called to perform the spiritual works of mercy (CCC 2447) instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish the sinner, bear wrongs patiently, forgive offenses, comfort the afflicted and pray for the living and the dead. How well am I doing meeting these challenges?

SECOND COMING OF JESUS TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

CATECHESIS

HE WILL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

We pray, Come Lord Jesus. May we not be like the foolish virgins of Scripture (Matt 25:1) that let their lamps burn out. Fuel our lamps with your nourishment. Let our lights burn bright! Come Lord Jesus and reign in our hearts now and forever! AMEN!

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)
REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 659 – 664 The Ascension
CCC 668 – 677 He will come again in glory
CCC 678 – 679 To judge the living and the dead.

End times are much speculated about by novelists and TV shows. But no one knows, only the Father. Jesus spoke of end times in the Gospel of Mark, “But of that day or that hour, no one knows not even the angels in heaven nor the Son but only the Father.Mark.13:12

Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after Easter. It may not have been literally 40 days because the Hebrews used the number 40 as a figure of speech for the perfect time for a mission to be accomplished. And certainly Jesus had accomplished his mission perfectly.

JESUS BLESSES HIS APOSTLES
AS HE ASCENDS INTO HEAVEN
LUKE 24:50

At the time of his Ascension, Christ warned his disciples that the present time is a time of the Spirit and witness. It is a time of waiting and watching. Like Jesus’ first disciples, we are soldiers of Christ, the Church militant, the faithful witnesses here on earth to all that Christ has given us.

“Before Christ comes again, the Church must endure many trials and persecutions. Many rosy colored plans for heaven on earth will be presented to draw eyes from the true heaven and the true kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Many will renounce their faith and jeopardize their immortal souls for expediency and false gods. The anti-Christ will be worshipped in place of God and will seduce many from their faith. “CCC 675

In the end, Jesus Christ will come again as he ascended, totally victorious and supreme king of heaven and earth. God’s final victory over evil will take the form of the Last Judgment.

The Father has given all judgment to the Son. “The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father.” John 5:22

“Nothing is covered up that will not be known. Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the house tops.” Luke 12:23

How will this judgment be conducted? We have a sneak preview in Matthew 25;
“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of these least brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt. 25:40)

Our behavior towards our neighbor, especially whomever we consider least “loveable” will disclose our own acceptance or refusal of God’s grace and divine love. If we reject God’s grace and God’s love in this life, we have already judged and condemned ourselves.

The Son did not come into this world to judge but to save. “For God sent the Son into the world not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is already condemned.” John 3:17-18

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

O my Jesus, King of glory and merciful judge, rule our hearts now that we may come to your judgment seat with hope and trust rather than fear and trembling. Lead us to witness your salvation and kingdom now on earth so that we may participate at the end of time in your glory in heaven. Amen.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1. If I thought the world would come to an end in a year, what effect would that have on my life? Are there changes I would make? What would I change?

2. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do to me. How am I doing loving the least of my brethren, those I don’t find lovable…those I envy…those I resent????

3. How will God judge me?… as I have judged others? How is my judging of others going?

HOLY SPIRIT: LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE

CATECHESIS

COME HOLY SPIRIT, LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life. Spirit of Wisdom inspire us to be courageous witnesses to the Truth. Come Holy Spirit dwell in us that we may dwell in Thee. We ask this
in the name of Jesus, Our Lord. Amen.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 683 – 686 I believe in the Holy Spirit
CCC 687 – 688 where we find the Holy Spirit
CCC 689 – 690 Mission of the Holy Spirit
CCC 691 Proper names of the Holy Spirit
CCC 692 – 693 Titles of the Holy Spirit
CCC 694 -701 Symbols of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and equal to the Son. The term Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruach, meaning breath or air.

In the First Creation Story in Genesis 1:2 “the Spirit of God was moving over the face of deep waters,” bringing order out of chaos. In the Second Creation Story, Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the land and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”

The Holy Spirit is that special advocate that Jesus promised us before His Ascension into Heaven.. Jesus would not leave us orphans and indeed, He didn’t. The Holy Spirit daily inspires, encourages, and enlightens us in our way “home” to the Father. If you had a good thought, thank the Holy Spirit. If you did a good deed, thank the Holy Spirit. If you made a good decision, thank the Holy Spirit.

COMMENTARY

The Trinity is one. We do not profess three Gods, JUST ONE! We profess One True God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in One God. The three persons are one in nature. The Father loves the Son. The Son loves the Father. The Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son. The Trinity is a model of communal love.

“Everyone who glorifies the Father does so through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. Everyone who follows Christ does so because the Father draws him and the Spirit moves him.” John 6:44

The Blessed Trinity is not complete without the Holy Spirit whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. “Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.”

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
THE SON
AND
THE HOLY SPIRIT

When we speak of the Father as Creator, we do not mean to say the Son and the Spirit had nothing to do with creation. The same can be said about the Father and the Spirit in regard redemption. The same can be said about the Father and the Son in regards sanctification. No person of the Blessed Trinity is ever absent in a divine action.

Some symbols of the Holy Spirit are a dove, water, fire, wind, and cloud. Water signifies the Holy Spirit’s action in Baptism, a sign of new birth and divine adoption. The Holy Spirit came down in tongues of Fire upon the Apostles at the First Pentecost. As a cloud, the Holy Spirit led the Israelites out of Egypt and overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation.
.
In the Old Testament, God dried up the waters by sending a dry wind, once the waters were parted the Israelites escaped the Egyptians on dry land. Exodus 13:15

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and the Word became flesh. “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and therefore the Holy Being, Who shall be born of you, shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised his disciples that he would pray to his Father that the Holy Spirit be given to them. Jesus promised, “The Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your mind whatever I have said to you.” John 14:26

Through the Holy Spirit, our faith is awakened. We are inspired to know Jesus and the One who sent Him. The Holy Spirit stirs up in us repentance for sin and conversion. Until the end of time, the Spirit guides, protects, and inspires the Church and its members

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier and Giver of Life, we adore you the same way we adore God the Father and God the Son. We adore you in union with all the angels and saints gathered around your heavenly Throne. Praise and glory be yours, now and forever.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1. The Holy Spirit is both convicter and advocate. Do I pay attention to the Spirit when he calls to mind (convicts) us of our sins and when he urges us to avoid sin in the first place?

2. The Holy Spirit is an advocate Jesus and Father sent to intercede for us. How do I use the Holy Spirit as advocate??

3. Fruits of the Holy Spirit are works that we can perform only with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Do I know the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Galations 5:22-23 Do I pray for the fruits of the Holy Spirit?

THE SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO THE CHURCH

CATECHESIS

THE SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO THE CHURCH

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. Let us pray. O God, who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people by sending them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 731 – 736 Pentecost: The Church is sent
CCC 737 – 747 The Holy Spirit builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church

The feast day of Pentecost is the event in Scripture that is most associated with the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, Pentecost was an ancient Jewish festival celebrated 50 days after the feast of Passover, originally called Feast of Weeks whereby the first fruits of the corn harvest were offered to the Lord. Deuteronomy 16:9

In the New Testament book of Acts, we read, “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together, then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.” After the descent of the Holy Spirit His disciples were filled with courage and faith. Acts 2:1-3

Jesus pours out His Spirit upon the Apostles and upon us, His body, His Church on Pentecost. After the descent of the Holy Spirit His disciples were filled with courage and faith. these early Christians brought the Holy Spirit into the world in their preaching, their healing, casting out demons, raising the dead, and the forgiveness of sins.

The Holy Spirit enlightens our minds to know Christ more deeply and to love him more dearly. God’s love is poured out upon us through the Holy Spirit who is sent by the Father at the request of the Son.

SPIRIT OF TRUTH ENLIGHTEN US!

The Holy Spirit gives the Body of Christ, the Church, fortitude to bear witness to the truth in a world that hates us, rejects us and ridicules us for the truth we bear. The Holy Spirit prepares us, inspires us, and encourages us to draw closer to Christ, to answer the universal call to holiness, we received at our Baptism.

The Holy Spirit never ceases to come to us in our daily prayer, in the Sacrament of Baptism, in the Sacrament of Confirmation, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and at our Anointing for our journey home…

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
John 14:26

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

When we do not know how to pray or what to pray, let us pray and ask the Spirit to pray for us and within us.

Spirit of Truth, you preserve the Church today from error. You are truly the Life of the Church. May you also be the Life in our Souls.
In Jesus’ name we pray

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1. The Holy Spirit convicts and consoles. Please explain.

2. When the Sprit is active in a person, there is a greater willingness to share faith. How do I share my faith in Christ outside my “domestic church” (home.)

3. Are there obstacles in me to sharing my faith with others? What are they? What can I do to overcome these obstacles so that I may be an effective witness to Christ?

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

National Eucharistic Revival is a three year program sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The first year of the Revival June 19, 2022–June 11, 2023 invited bishops, priests, and diocesan staff to respond to the Lord’s personal invitation. The second year June 11, 2023 – July 17, 2024 is about fostering Eucharistic devotion at the parish level.

Our world is hurting. We are beset with scandal, division, disease, doubt. In the midst of these roaring waves, Jesus is present, reminding us that he is more powerful than the storm. Jesus Christ desires to heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world through the celebration of the Eucharist.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1324 The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.”…For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself”

1364 When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover… the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present. “As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.”

1367 The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: “The victim is one and the same…the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and offered in an un-bloody manner . . .

PLEASE NOTE THE ACCIDENTS REMAIN…those things that appeal to our senses, touch, sight, taste, etc remain. The “substance” of the Eucharist is changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus and remains in “real presence” as long as the “accidents” remain.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST IN SCRIPTURE

JESUS TOOK BREAD AND BLESSED IT

“And as they were eating He took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them and said, ‘Take, this is my body.’ And He took a cup and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and they drank all of it and He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for many. Mark 14:22-26

St. Paul writes to the Corinthians,”….the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this,,,,For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. I Corinthians 11:23-27

DEVOTION TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving
be every moment Thine
Amen

HOLY HOUR of Eucharistic Adoration

Christ is present in the Most Blessed Sacrament to manifest his great love for us. Christ, the God-Man, is truly present in his divinity as well as his humanity, body and soul before me.

In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” “This presence is called ‘real’ CCC 1374

A Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament may be broken down into 15 minute segments with different types of prayers, Adoration, Thanksgiving, Petition, and Contrition.

Copied below are examples of prayers that may be said for each 15 minute segment.

PRAYER OF ADORATION

Lord, thank you for this hour of Eucharistic devotion. I adore you as the infinite and Holy One of God. You and the Father are one and you promised that one day we will be one in You. May Your Holy Spirit be with me. Send Him constantly… I thank you for this precious gift of faith. Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Thank you, Father, for having created me. Thank you for my family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May I live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to me. Everything I receive is pure gift. Help me to be a grateful giver to others.
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PRAYER OF PETITION

O my God, give yourself to me. Behold I love you…if my love is too weak a thing, grant me to love you more strongly. I cannot measure my love, but let my soul hasten to your embrace… This I know that it is not good for me when you are not with me. Everything in this world that is not you is mere rubbish. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONTRITION

O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body… the sins that I know, the sins I have concealed so long and which are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial. I know my sins have wounded Thy tender Heart; O my Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil… O my Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been. Amen.

REFLECTION

It takes time to kindle a living, loving relationship and a relationship with Jesus Christ is no exception. That’s why the National Eucharistic Revival allows three years for discernment, encounter, and grassroots response on the diocesan, parish, and individual levels.

Just as we need to nourish our physical bodies in order to have strength; to work; and to live well, so too we need to eat in the House of the Lord to have spiritual strength.

What are we doing to increase and enhance our relationship with the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in the Eucharist?

Where the Eucharist is so is God. The Eucharist is God’s gift of love to us. Our worthy reception is our gift of love and sacrifice to God. Are we worthily returning God’s gift of love…giving God my all…what am I holding back that keeps God at arm’s length?

TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD
PSALM 34:8

RESPECT LIFE MONTH

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

CHOOSE LIFE

“I have today set before you, life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God…you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you…If, however, your heart turns away and you do not obey…I tell you today that you will certainly perish…I have set before you, life and death, the blessing and the curse.
Choose life that you and your descendants may live.” DEUTERONOMY 30:15

BACKGROUND

October is Respect Life Month, a time for Catholics to reflect more deeply on the God-given dignity of all human life. All lives are Sacred and gift from our Creator. I repeat, ALL HUMAN LIVES!

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 2270-71 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception… Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.

COMMENTARY

When is abortion permitted? NEVER! NOT when a child is inconvenient…. NOT when the child in the womb is the wrong sex….NOT when child created by God is a result of rape or incest…NOT when child in womb may be born with some handicap… The end never justifies the means. KILLING INNOCENT LIFE IS NEVER PERMISSABLE!

PLEASE NOTE: In an attempt to save a mother’s life, the life of the child in her womb may be lost in unintended consequences of saving the mother’s life.

Today, those who support abortion on demand use words to draw sympathy and support. Some will call it Women’s Reproductive Rights. Where does the right come from? I know it isn’t God. A person does not have a right to something just because they say they do.
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Calling Abortion, a woman’s health issue is like calling euthanasia, death with dignity or calling same-sex marriage, marriage equality. All of it is shameful marketing to develop sympathy for deeply flawed practices.

Women’s claim, “My Body, My Choice,” betrays a tragic misunderstanding of what is taking place inside the womb. By 12 weeks the baby has eyes, ears, hands, feet, toes, functioning brain and other organs apart from their mother’s.

At no point in pregnancy is the developing embryo or fetus simply a part of the mother’s body. Every cell of the baby in the womb is genetically distinct from every cell in the mother’s body. Human embryos did not originate only from the woman. The baby would not exist without the man’s seed.

A HUMAN PERSON DEVELOPING IN THE WOMB

There are many who call themselves Catholic who ignore the teaching of the Church. For example in a recent Pew Research Poll nearly 48% of those identifying themselves as Catholic say abortion should be legal in all or most cases despite the Catholic Church’s strong opposition.

We must shout from the rooftop “that all life is sacred.” In our own waters of Baptism – we have been initiated, called, and commissioned to be other Christs in the world.

We must in our charity do more than call to end abortion. . Poverty is often a factor in choosing abortion, material poverty as well as spiritual poverty.

The Lord calls on all of us to be present in support in the lives of women and families who might be tempted to consider abortion. Prayer support and material support are essential marks of a Christian.

The Catholic Church is one of the leading backers of a national pregnancy aid network Maternity homes and crisis pregnancy resource centers – offering everything from housing support to free diapers.

PRAYER CELEBRATING SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

God, you are the Lord and Creator of Life. You have blessed men and women with the privilege of bringing new life into the world. You have imparted in our hearts the desire to nurture and protect life at all its stages. I accept these gifts as a sacred trust. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Grant me the wisdom and courage to speak out and defend human life, made in your image and likeness from conception to natural death. Amen

I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME YOU ARE MINE
ISAIAH 43:1