IN HIS IMAGE:GOD CREATED THEM MALE AND FEMALE

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

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) 

  1. 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?

 

 

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE DECEMBER 12

PATRONESS OF THE AMERICAS

O Mary, dawn of the new world,

Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life. 

Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies

not allowed to be born.

 Grant that all who believe in your Son

may proclaim the Gospel of life

to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.

BACKGROUND

 In 1910, St. Pius X named Our Lady of Guadalupe Patroness of Latin America, and in 1945, at the urging of bishops from the U.S. and Canada, Pius XII bestowed on her the title Empress of the Americas. 

In 1999, St. John Paul II formalized the invocation of Our Lady of Guadalupe as Patroness of the Americas and Star of the New Evangelization and declared that her feast day of Dec. 12 be celebrated in churches throughout the Americas.

The story begins in the early morning hours of December 9, 1531, when a 57-year-old Indian Peasant, convert to Christianity, named Juan Diego was walking along the path of Tepayec Hill on the outskirts of Mexico City on his way to Mass. .

 As he walked along Tepeyac Hill, he began to hear beautiful strains of music, and he saw a beautiful lady, who called his name: “Juanito, He approached, and she said, “Know for certain, least of my sons, that I am the perfect and perpetual Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, the true God, through whom everything lives.

This “beautiful lady” asked Juan Diego to go to the Bishop and have a church built on this site in her honor. The Bishop demanded a sign before he would approve construction of a church.

Mary then appeared a second time to Juan Diego December 12 and ordered him to collect roses and take them to the Bishop. In a second audience with the Bishop, Juan Diego opened his cloak, letting dozens of roses fall to the floor and revealing the image of Mary imprinted on the inside of the cloak. The image is now venerated in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

JUAN DIEGO OPENS HIS CLOAK BEFORE THE BISHOP

 COMMENTARY

At the time of Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego (1531), the Aztec nation was heavily into human sacrifice where blood of infants were offered up to appease the pagan gods. We are horrified to hear stories of the Aztecs, who cut out the hearts of their victims to appease their pagan gods. When Mary appeared, she brought a message of compassion,

I am the merciful Mother, the Mother of all of you who live united in this land, and of all mankind, of all those who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who seek me, of those who have confidence in me. Here, I will hear their weeping, their sorrow, and will remedy and alleviate their suffering, necessities, and misfortunes.”

Mary wore a black maternity band around her waist.  The girdle or bow around her waist demonstrates plenitude and fecundity to the native Indians. The high position of the bow and the slight swelling of the abdomen show that the Lady is “with child.”

Our Lady, by appearing as an expectant mother, showed the Aztecs that human life is sacred. Our Lady of Guadalupe’s message of conversion brought new dignity to the Aztec people. No longer did they worship the pagan gods of sacrifice. Within just a few years, 11 million Native Americans were converted, and the practice of human sacrifice stopped, along with Culture of Death practices.

No more did the people need to cower in abject terror before the bloodthirsty gods who demanded the death of their children. They found refuge beneath the gracious protection of a gentle Mother. In 2002 Pope John Paul II canonized St. Juan Diego. (feast day December 9).

CALL TO ACTION

Why aren’t we just as horrified today at the slaughter of millions of innocent unborn children through the practice of abortion to appease the gods of convenience? The sin of abortion has claimed more than 1.6 billion innocent lives worldwide since 1973.

Politicians and legislatures as servants of the “common good” are duty bound to defend the fundamental right to life, the fruit of God’s love.”  Pope Benedict XVI, Emeritus

 We must shift our debate from pro-abortion vs anti- abortion to how do we address both the needs of the unborn and already born.  We must make abortion unthinkable as we address the needs of the mother to be. The baby and mother both have life needs.

We must shout it from the rooftop “that all life is Sacred!” Trusting in God, we must fearlessly go forward in our quest to support a culture of Life. We need Mary’s intercession today!

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE BE OUR INTERCESSOR!

 

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT-BORN OF A VIRGIN

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)

  1. 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 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)

  1. 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?
  2. 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?
  3. 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

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

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?

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FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION DECEMBER 8

 

Immaculate Mary,

Your praises we sing,

You reign now in heaven,

With Jesus our king

Ave, Ave, Ave Maria,

Ave, Ave, Maria.

BACKGROUND

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, in its oldest form, goes back to the seventh century, when churches in the East began celebrating the Feast of Saint Anne, the mother of Mary. The feast celebrated the conception of Mary and maternity of St. Ann.

The feast arrived in the West probably no earlier than the 11th century with a developing theological controversy between the West and East.

The feast of Immaculate Conception is not celebrated even today in the East because they believe every human being is born with original sin including Mary.

Both the Eastern and the Western Church have maintained that Mary was free from sin throughout her life, but there were different understandings of what this meant.

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was officially defined as dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854. Dogma means that a definitive article of faith has been solemnly promulgated and is necessary for the belief of all Catholic faithful.

 Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854 promulgated,

We declare,… the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”

 It is ironic that only four years after the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was promulgated Mary appeared to a young woman in Lourdes, France, Bernadette Soubirous, and announced who she is, “I am the Immaculate Conception

I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

LOURDES 1858

 COMMENTARY

 According to St. Thomas Aquinas, God had sanctified Mary at the moment of her conception in His foreknowledge that the Blessed Virgin would consent to bear Christ. In other words, she too had been redeemed—her redemption had simply been accomplished at the moment of her conception in anticipation of her Redeemer rather than as with all other Christians, in Baptism.

Mary’s soul was neither stained by Original Sin, nor by consequences of that sin…clouded intellect and weakened will but created in a state of original sanctity, innocence, and justice.

It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is called the Virgin Birth.

Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived “by the power of the Holy Spirit,” in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. Mary did have a human father.  The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin.

At the Annunciation, The angel Gabriel greeted Mary, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with youLuke 1:28. This greeting “full of grace was not a result of the angel’s visit but rather an acknowledgement of Mary’s already sanctification.

REFLECTION

 The Immaculate Conception is the concrete expression of God’s love for Mary, who gave herself fully, completely, and without hesitation to His service. 

 The Feast of Immaculate Conception tells us something very important about humanity as well and that is: Mary is exactly the human being that God meant each of us to be from the very beginning of creation. It was man’s fall that about sin and death.

 God isn’t finished with us yet, thanks be to God. He remains patient and merciful as He calls each one of us to be the person He had in mind when He created us in our mother’s womb.

Our country is dedicated to its patroness the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Immaculate Conception and is honored this day in Washington D.C. in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. How blessed we are to have Jesus’ church and Mary our Mother to guide us on our journey home.

 

 

 

 

 

THE SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO THE CHURCH

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?

ADVENT REFLECTIONS

 

ADVENT 2023 BEGINS SUNDAY DECEMBER 3rd

We begin the first week of Advent, a season of preparation and waiting.  What are we preparing for and what are we waiting for?

Is it a holiday? Is it gifts?  Is it family gatherings? Is it snow?

According to Merriam Webster dictionary the word Advent means “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.”  There isn’t a more “notable” person than Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

WE AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF JESUS CHRIST!

 Sometimes the secular world has co-opted our feast days like Easter, with Easter Eggs or Christmas with trees, decorations, and black Friday where retailers hope to get out of the red. ….

Other distractions like Shopping Malls, carpet cleaning, parties, decorating…leave many of us exhausted, frustrated, and stressed….

Fortunately, we Christians, have a counter–cultural answer, the Church liturgical Season of Advent. ADVENT IS A TIME OF PRAYER, FASTING, AND ALMSGIVING to become closer to God and ready to receive His Son. In Advent, we ponder the great mystery of the Incarnation.                                         

PRAYER sustains and nurtures our relationship with our triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Prayer is us talking to God and God talking back.  God calls us to prayer. God always initiates and we are brought into God’s presence’

 FASTING assists us in getting our house in order. All of us deal with some areas of servitude and addiction to false gods. By living lives of moderation and temperance, we have more energy to devote to God’s will and purposes in our lives.

ALMSGIVING Jesus was always concerned about the least of our brethren, those who were poor and in need. To be a disciple of Christ, we must pick up our cross and follow Him. Matthew 16:24

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8 Jesus shares in our humanity that we may share in His Divinity.

Our ancestors waited centuries for the birth of the promised Messiah. Fifteen hundred years before the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, Isaiah prophesied, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, and Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, Isaiah 9:6

The Advent season in its liturgical observance is not only a remembrance of the Incarnation, God becoming flesh, but also anticipatory of God coming at the end of history in the Person of Christ the King who has dominion over everything even the curse of death.

The season of Advent reminds us that history is not complete until the Second Coming of Jesus.  How we deal with time was addressed by Jesus telling us to remain awake and always be prepared.

Are we awake? Are we prepared?  Or Are we like the people of Noah’s time who ignored any calls to repentance even to the time Noah entered the ArkMatt. 24:7

 Some of us may shed our earthly bounds before the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of time.  Are we prepared to come to Jesus sooner rather than later?  Or are we like the rich fool storing material goods?

This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.  And I’ll say to myself…, Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. ”’

 But God said to him,

 ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? ’This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” Luke 16:18-21

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matthew 25.1-13

 Be prepared to meet our maker whenever He comes. Advent challenges us to attend to relationships, reach out to the needy, and cherish the gift of human life.

Is our “Spiritual” house cleaned?  Are we ready to greet Jesus right now?  If not, why not? Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation; bring our sins before Christ and seek his forgiveness. Give thanks to the Lord, His mercy endures forever.

Are we ready to journey with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem?  Ready to adore our new born king!

MARANATHA COME LORD JESUS

ADVENT HYMN

Come Lord Jesus,
Come Lord Jesus, do not delay.

Come Lord Jesus, Lighten our darkness
Come Lord Jesus, do not delay.
Come Lord Jesus, Hear our longing
Come Lord Jesus, Source of Justice
Come Lord Jesus, Word of Compassion
Come Lord Jesus, King of Glory
Come Lord Jesus, Morning Star Shining
Come Lord Jesus, Joy of all ages
Come Lord Jesus, Come and save us