re Flashcards
Concept of Charity
Charity is divine love. It empowers Christians to love God and others as Jesus does.
to strengthen and empower charity:
- pray daily
- receive holy communion
- try to live daily as Jesus taught
Corporal works of mercy
- feeding the hungry
- sheltering the homeless
- clothing the naked
- visiting the sick and imprisoned
- burying the dead
God promised Messiah
God wanted to help the people of Israel overcome the obstacles that prevented them from relating to God, the one who loved them. This led God to promise to change the situation by renewing their hearts.
What did the new law consist of
- Two great commandments
- beatitudes
- holy spirit (guides and teach followers)
- divine love from God (charity)
Sinai covenant rituals
The Sinai Covenant required Israelites to perform the many rituals set forth in law e.g. sacrifices and consecration of priests
5 books in the Torah
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
Explain how the gift of celibate love is developed.
The first requirement for developing the gift of celibate love is for the priest to centre his life upon Jesus. As the priest relates personally with Jesus, Jesus deepens in the priest the love Jesus himself has for humanity. The second requirement for developing celibate love is to exercise it within the community the priest is called to serve.
Explain using examples from the bible the vows of poverty
Poverty: owning nothing personally in imitation of the poverty of Christ. Surrendering all goods and earnings to the Church and depending on the Church for support. Jesus said (to the rich young man), ‘… Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ (Mark 10:21)
Explain using examples from the bible the vows of chastity
Chastity: imitating Christ who loved God the Father and people in a celibate way that is totally available to everyone. Then Peter answered and said, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?’ Jesus said to them, ‘In truth, I tell you … everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times as much, and also inherit eternal life.’ (Matthew 19:27, 29)
Explain using examples from the bible the vows of obedience
Obedience, imitating Christ who gave his entire life to obeying God the Father, by placing one’s talents, and even one’s choice of how best to use those talents, at the complete disposal of the Church. Jesus said, ‘I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but to do the will of him who sent me.’ (John 6:38)
Communities of apostolic life
They work:
• among the poor
• caring for the sick
• helping migrants and refugees
• educating people in the light of the Gospel
• praying on behalf of humanity in general, and for the specific needs of particular people and groups.
In Western Australia, there are apostolic consecrated religious Orders and Congregations in many areas of the Church’s work. Describe the various works of the St John of God Sisters in medical care.
St John of God Health Care’s Mission is to continue the healing mission of Jesus Christ. In his life and ministry, Jesus provided compassionate care to everyone he encountered, touching all aspects of their life (physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual).
Deacons
- Cannot do Eucharist or administer the sacraments a priest can, (assists).
e. g. bless marriages, preaching the word of God
A special group who help Priests (or the Bishop) with his responsibilities of teaching, sanctifying and governing the Church.
The priestly vocation is a call to serve
Priests serve a community or group within the Church.
Ordained ministers who serve the spiritual needs of God’s people. These leaders serve God’s community in three ways: bearing witness to Jesus, leading the community, celebrating the Sacraments.
Teaching the Gospel
The first task of a priest is to teach the Gospel. They do this in various ways, including:
• homilies during the Mass
• instruction of people wanting to become Catholics
• preparing couples for marriage
The priestly vocation is a call to celibate love
Those called to the priesthood are called by Jesus to be available to respond to the needs of all people at all times by living a life of celibate love.
Describe God’s original plan for marriage
God revealed that marriage was meant to be a loving and life-giving relationship between one man and one woman for the rest of their lives.
God’s 2 purposes for marriage
- the sexual expression of married love for one another
- the procreation of children
Explain how the Sacrament of Marriage strengthens and guides people in their life together.
The Sacrament of Marriage strengthens and guides people in their life together as Jesus renewed God’s original plan for marriage to help people overcome difficulties. Jesus strengthens married people so that they can (e.g.) face problems that arise in marriage. Jesus guides them when (e.g.) they need to work out any problems they may be facing.
Baptised people confer the Sacrament of Marriage upon one another
Baptised couples confer the Sacrament of Marriage upon one another when they exchange the vows of marriage before a priest or deacon and two other witnesses. It is then that Christ consecrates the love between them.
Married couples need to develop their personal relationship with Jesus
They do so by:
• praying daily
• worshipping together
• receiving Jesus personally in Holy Communion
• getting to know Jesus and striving to live as he taught, especially the commandments.
Jesus supports his followers personally through the ordained priesthood
- took them away to rest (Mark 6:31)
- continued to explain what they did not understand (Mark 9:24-28)
- Promised the Holy Spirit to strengthen them (Mark 10:20)
- encourage them, even after correcting them (Luke 22:28)
Jesus appointed the 12 apostles
Jesus called twelve disciples to lead his followers. He called them ‘Apostles’ and gave them the special spiritual gifts and responsibilities they needed to lead their fellow Christians.
Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Orders
He wanted the Apostles to pass on the special spiritual gifts and responsibilities to others through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
The successor to St Peter: the Pope
Those who have inherited the spiritual gifts and responsibilities that Jesus first gave the Apostles are called bishops. Jesus appointed Peter the head of the Apostles. The successor to Peter is called the ‘Pope’. The Pope continues to fulfil his responsibilities as Bishop of Rome
Priests
These leaders, who became known as priests, served their communities in three main ways, by:
• being with others in a personal, loving way that gave witness to Jesus’ presence
• celebrating Christ’s presence in the sacraments
• celebrating the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass
• preaching the word of God.
Apostolate
This term has been consistently used to refer to the work accomplished by ordained ministers, consecrated religious or lay people.
Celibate
An unmarried state based on sexual self-denial for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven
Chastity
The ability to harmonise sexual thoughts, feelings and desires. It is the growing ability to see others as God does. This means seeing beyond an individual’s sexuality to the whole person God loves.
Deacon
A special group who help Priests (or the Bishop) with his responsibilities of teaching, sanctifying and governing the Church.
