Exam Terms To Know Flashcards
* Means not included but review but still felt it was important
Justice
A fundamental virtue that involves giving each person their due. It’s about fairness, equity, and ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Promotes harmony and balance in society.
Distributive Justice
Distributing resources and benefits fairly among individuals. Examples include ensuring economic opportunities that are accessible to all, not just a privileged few.
Commutative Justice*
Focusing on fairness in individual interactions and transactions. For example, keeping promises, honoring contracts, and treating others honestly in business and personal relationships.
Compassionate Justice*
Ensuring that all members of society have equal access to opportunities and benefits. For example, advocating for policies that address poverty and inequality.
Catholic Social Teachings
A body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church on matters of social justice, encompassing principles for the fair and just treatment of all individuals.
Sin
A decision we make that goes against the truth that is God. It is a choice and intentional. It is a refusal to do God’s will; a conscious decision to participate in evil. It is deciding to be less loving than we could be and abusing the freedom God has given us.
Original Sin
A Christian view of the nature of sin in which humanity has existed since the fall of man. It arose from Adam and Eve’s transgression in Eden, a sin of disobedience in eating forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Venial Sin
Committed when you do not observe the standard of moral law without full knowledge or without complete consent. It strains one’s relationship with God. Examples; lying, being disrespectful. Relatively minor sins that can be forgiven through any sacrament in the Church.
Mortal Sin
A sin that puts your soul in jeopardy and breaks your relationship with God. There are 3 conditions necessary; it must be a grave matter, committed with full knowledge, and committed with deliberate consent.
Sin of Commission
Actually doing something wrong, overt sinful acts, a violation of God’s moral laws like the Ten Commandments.
Sin of Omission
Neglecting to do something we should do. Refusing to act for the good of ourselves or others and thus causing harm. For example not reporting a crime you witnessed.
Social Sin
The “sum of countless selfish actions and omissions”, or a “collective blindness”. It resides with a group or community of people. It exists within any structure in society that oppresses human beings, violates human dignity, stifles freedom, and/ or imposes great inequity. The sinfulness of society in which a person was born.
Vice*
Practice or behavior or habit generally considered immoral, depraved, or degrading. In minor usage vice can refer to a fault, negative character trait, a defect, infirmity, or a bad or unhealthy habit. Opposite of virtue.
Virtue*
Positive trait/ quality deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation and principle and good moral behavior as a human being. Opposite of vice.
Concupiscence*
The human inclination toward sin and evil, a human condition that resulted from original sin and evil stays. Therefore, people must continue to struggle against concupiscence.
Contrition
We must be sorry for our sins
Penance*
We must confess our sins
Absolution*
God’s forgiveness
Grace*
The unmerited and unconditional love of God for humanity, describing God as kind, merciful, and absolutely generous love for us.
Divinization*
Union with God through grace, typically post death.
Synoptic*
The first 3 are the synoptic gospels seen from the same eye) (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). They share many of the same stories, much of the same language, and most of the same ordering.
Eisegesis*
The process of interpreting the text by injecting one’s own ideas, biases, or assumptions into the passage.
Exegesis
The careful investigation of the original meaning of texts in their historical and literary contexts.
Liturgy
The ritual and worship practices of the Church. Encompasses the structured and organized way Catholics come together to celebrate faith through various ceremonies and rituals. It’s divine worship, the proclamation of the Gospel and active charity. Origin from Greek word “letourgia” meaning “work of the people”.
Ordinary Time
A season that occurs twice in the liturgical year between other major seasons. One part follows Christmas, the other following Pentecost. It represents living life as it unfolds, with a focus on the daily life and teachings of Christ. Emphasizes learning and growth. Represents growth in faith in the journey of discipleship.
Intercession
A type of prayer. Praying on behalf of others, asking God to help or bless them.
Thanksgiving
A type of prayer. Expressing gratitude to God for his blessings and provisions.
Sacrament
A physical sign of a spiritual reality. Signs of God’s love. A visible sign of God’s grace. There are 7 (Baptism, reconciliation, confirmation, the eucharist, marriage, holy orders, anointing of the sick).
Omnipresent
God is fully present everywhere simultaneously, always with you can’t escape Him. One of the characteristics of the nature of God.
Omniscient
Possessing complete knowledge and understanding of all things. Emphasizes God’s perfect knowledge and wisdom, surpassing human comprehension.
Omnipotent
God is omnipotent: has unlimited power and authority. Can do anything in accordance with His character and nature.
Incarnation
God taking on human flesh and becoming man in Jesus Christ who became human to redeem humanity from sin and humanity with God. God is both fully human and divine (includes Jesus).
Paschal Mystery
Encompasses the events of Jesus’ passion (intense suffering), death, resurrection and ascension. Reveals God’s plan for salvation of humanity demonstrating immense love and sacrifice. Through suffering and sacrifice Jesus offers redemption and forgiveness of sins. Resurrection is a triumph over death offering hope and promise for eternal life. Ascension signifies Jesus’ return to the Father where He continues to intercede for us.
Imago Dei
Image of God. Humans are believed to posses a spiritual nature that reflects God, means we share in His qualities, like reason, intellect, free will and capacity to love.
Dignity
Respecting how life is sacred and should be protected.
Dignity of the Human Person
Catholic Social teaching. Recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of each individual.
Faith and Reason
Reason: the innate human ability to think, analyze and discern. Gift that sets us apart. Faith: Gift from God, allows us to believe in His teachings and revelations. Not just a result of human effort but a grace granted from God. They have a symbiotic relationship, Faith elevates reason by allowing us to accept truths that transcend human comprehension while reason purifies and strengthens faith by removing misconceptions.
Conscience
Often referred to as an inner voice, is a divinely bestowed ability that enables us to discern right from wrong.
Morality
The “would do”. Principles that govern our actions in alignment with God’s commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ. From the Greek word “Moralitas”, having to do with the customs and norms, habits that shape human life. Interested in the ways humans can attain good such as laws, rules, or commandments.
Ethics
The practical application of moral principles, guide our behavior in certain situations. “Should do”.
Euangelion
Greek word for gospel meaning “good news”
Hermeneutics
To interpret/ study of interpreting secular and non- secular texts, encompassing everything from specific, words, entire verses and whole book. Meant to bridge the gap between idea of original author/ texts to allow present readers to allow meaningful interpretation and understanding. Use historical and religious contexts.
4 Senses of Biblical Literacy
Literal (understand historical and cultural context to find og meaning), allegorical (discover hidden spiritual truths and connections between Old and New testaments, points to Christ and His teachings), anagogical (Spiritual sense, consider how scripture points to heavenly and eternal realities, focus on ultimate destination of our souls), and moral (teaches how to live virtuously and make ethical choices in our daily lives based on the guidance of the scripture), ways to interpreting and living out the teachings of the Bible.
Magisterium
Two aspects of it; ordinary and extraordinary). Extraordinary defines dogma and unchanging truths. Ordinary reflects on official positions of the Church leadership at a a particular time. Acceptable theological opinions are interpretations of official teachings. Plays a role in clarifying and defining beliefs in response to challenges and confusion.
Apostolic
One of the 4 marks of the Church. Apostolic because it was founded on the apostles in a direct unbroken line of succession to teach doctrine they handed on. Ensures they remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. Highlights the importance of tradition and the continuity of faith.
Immaculate Conception
Means that Mary was conceived without original sin.
Annunciation
Angel Gabriel announces God wants Mary to be the Mother of God, her response shows complete submission of will to God. Demonstrates obedience and willingness.
Assumption of Mary
Catholic belief that if Mary was preserved from sin by the free gift of God then she wouldn’t be bound to experience the consequences of sin (DEATH) in the same way we all do. The immediate union of Mary of her whole being with Jesus and God at the end of her life. Assumed into heaven with both body and soul like Jesus.
Call Story
A narrative that recounts the specific moment or experience when an individual is called by God for a particular purpose or mission.
Evangelize
To preach the Gospel
Blessed
“Holy”, the second step to sainthood.
Beatified
Officially declared blessed.
Canon
Church Law
Canonize
To officially declare someone to be a saint of the Catholic Church
Martyr
One who suffers or dies for his or her beliefs
Venerable
Worthy of high honor, the first step to sainthood.
Sermon on the Mount
(Matthew 5:3-12), when Jesus presents the Beatitudes.
Beatitudes
Values presented by Jesus; Poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger/thirst for righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness. 8 of these foundational teachings.
Happiness
A natural desire God has placed in our hearts, connected with ethics and morality
Grace
The unmerited and unconditional love of God for humanity. Describes His kind, merciful and generous love for us.
Covenant
A deeply personal, dignified promise made between persons.
Transcendent
God is beyond the physical realm and exists outside of time and space. Is not limited by the constraints of the created world.
Indelible Mark
Permanent spiritual mark on the soul signifying you to be able to participate in other sacraments. Helps you with salvation.
Synoptic Gospels
Gospels seen from the same eye (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Share many of the same stories, much of the same language, and most of the same ordering.
Laudato Si’
A 2015 papal encyclical (written by Pope’s addressing contemporary social and ethical issues). In this one Pope Francis highlighted environmental stewardship and the interconnectedness of social and ecological concerns.
Sanctifying/ Habitual Grace
Refers to the permanent state of Grace that makes our soul’s holy and pleasing to God. This grace is received through sacraments, especially Baptism which cleanses us of original sin. Enables us to live virtuous lives and pursue holiness.
