Gaudete Et Exsultate

Question 1

In your own words, what is an apostolic exhortation?

Answer 1

magisterial document written by the pope that gives a reflection on a specific topic to air everyone in understanding

Question 2

Why might the Holy Father write an apostolic exhortation?

Answer 2

to guide us all back in the right direction and encourage a mission

Question 3

What kinds of sources might the Pope use when writing a magisterial document? Why?

Answer 3

the Bible and references to other important holy figures to show that it is written or build credibility

Question 4

What gifts has the Lord bestowed on the Church so that we can grow towards holiness?

Answer 4

scripture, the sacraments, holy places, living communities, the witness of the saints and a multifaceted beauty that proceeds from God’s love

Question 5

“Life does not have a mission, but is a mission.” What is this mission?

Answer 5

We are called to show our commitment as Christians in our every day lives - even small gestures make us holy.

Question 6

How do consumer goods and gadgets leave no room for God in our lives?

Answer 6

we come to resent our mission, our commitment grows slack, and our generous and ready spirit of service begins to flag. This denatures our spiritual experience.

Question 7

Why would high school students be afraid of holiness?

Answer 7

because of peers and knowledge as well as commitment

Question 8

What is Pope Francis’ goal in this document?

Answer 8

repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities

Question 9

What does Jesus want of us?

Answer 9

he wants us to be holy

Question 10

What does Pope Francis mean by the “middle class of holiness?”

Answer 10

lay/regular people who are holy through the small gestures of their daily lives

Question 11

The Lord calls each of us to be holy as He is holy, each of us in our own way. What might distract us as we try to be holy, each in our own way?

Answer 11

gnosticism and pelagianism

Question 12

In the Beatitudes, Jesus asks us to live in a radical way that runs counter to, or against, the way things are typically done in the world. This is going against the flow, or being counter-cultural. How do we have the ability, or power to do this?

Answer 12

the Holy Spirit fills us with his power and frees us from our weakness, our selfishness, our complacency and our pride

Question 13

What does it mean to be meek?

Answer 13

humble, putting trust in God alone

Question 14

If we regard others with meekness rather than with judgment and superiority, what is the effect?

Answer 14

we can actually help them and stop wasting our energy on useless complaining

Question 15

What does the world tell us will make for the good life?

Answer 15

entertainment, pleasure, diversion and escape

Question 16

Why does the world have no desire to mourn?

Answer 16

it would rather disregard painful situations, cover them up or hide them

Question 17

What is a person capable of who “goes against the flow” and instead sees things as thy truly are, including the pain and sorrow felt by so many?

Answer 17

touching life’s depths and finding authentic happiness

Question 18

What does the Bible use the heart to describe?

Answer 18

our real intentions, the things we truly seek and desire, apart from all appearances

Question 19

What does the Father recognize in our hearts?

Answer 19

what is impure and insincere, mere display or appearance

Question 20

“A world of gossip, inhabited by negative and destructive people, does not bring peace.” Where do you see this in the world today?

Answer 20

social media

Question 21

What amazing promise did Jesus make to those who work to bring peace, even in the smallest of situations?

Answer 21

“They will be called children of God”

Question 22

How is peacemaking hard work? How does it require us to be artisans?

Answer 22

• it calls for great openness of mind and heart
• building peace is a craft that demands serenity, creativity, sensitivity and skill

Question 23

What happens to some people who work hard to work for justice?

Answer 23

they are persecuted

Question 24

Consumerism is the pursuit of things that can be purchased. How is this harmful to our pursuit of holiness?

Answer 24

when we are obsessed with our own pleasure, we end up being all too concerned about ourselves and our rights, and we feel a desperate need for free time to enjoy ourselves

Question 25

What is the relationship between salvation and community?

Answer 25

A community that cherishes the little details of love, whose members care for one another and create an open and evangelizing environment, is a place where the risen Lord is present, sanctifying it in accordance with the Father’s plan.