Catholic Church Teaching - Still Roman Catholic After All These Years

CATHOLIC CHURCH MUST REMAIN TRUE TO JESUS IN A WORLD THAT REJECTS US

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SERMON ON THE MOUNT

BLESSED ARE YOU WHEB THEY PERSECUTE YOU AND HATE YOU FOR MY SAKE

I have been thinking recently why the society I live in and the government that is there to serve the “common good” are so often unfriendly and sometimes, even threatening, to a practicing Catholic who puts God’s Law and his conscience first.

At the same time, I worry how much pressure there is in the Catholic community on the Church Magisterium to water our doctrine down to accommodate the world and other religions.

Over the last few decades some practices, centuries old, have changed. Fasting Days in the Catholic Church were reduced some time ago. Holy Days of Obligation have been reduced as well. Homilies on sin or hell are remote and spare. Today, you see in some dioceses across the globe accepting same-sex marriages, inviting divorced and remarried Catholics without an annulment invited to receive Holy Communion and Protestant spouses of Catholics invited to receive with their spouses. And the beat goes on…

I just don’t see how becoming more like every other denomination is attracting more to the Catholic Church. What must attract people to the Catholic Faith is its authenticity to the Gospel, its sacraments, and its liturgy, the Mass. A watered down Catholic Church is a “lukewarm” Church.

Jesus was counter-cultural. “You have heard it said, but I say to you.” Jesus taught with authority. His authority came from the Father. “Who sees me, sees the Father.” Jesus founded a counter-cultural Church on Peter, the Rock and promised the Holy Spirit to guide it on earth from error. Catholic Church teaching condemns abortion, contraception, divorce and remarriage, same sex marriage and gender identity theory.

All right, so we pull ourselves up, tighten our belts, and go forward as soldiers of Christ. What can we expect? Jesus gave us the answer. “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first….. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 15:18 – 23 Well that isn’t very comforting is it? But why do we expect more than our Savior who gave His all for all of us?

Hold on, there is more…Jesus also tells us what happens if we persevere

to the end. “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you because of me Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11

]Catholicism remains the staunchest opponent to the culture of the times. Our doctrines are stubborn things, even for some inside the Church who would like to change them. The Rock of Peter, whatever the human limitations may be. By God’s own promise, the gates of Hell slam against the Rock but cannot prevail.

REFLECTION

PHILLIPIANS 2:6-12

Taking the form of a slave,

coming in human likeness;^*

and found human in appearance

he humbled himself,

becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.^*

Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name^*

that is above every name,

That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,^*

of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth

And every tongue confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES HEBREWS 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us

and persevere in running the race that lies before us.

INTRODUCTION

This month of August we have celebrated two feasts of Mary Mother of God. Mary is the model to all women saints in the great cloud of witnesses. Mary’s devotion and prayer life was exemplar!

When she asked Jesus’ assistance at Cana wedding feast fully confident that Jesus would answer her and He did with gallons and gallons of good wine. Mary is the best intercessor with Jesus and so are many of the women in our lives Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, Wives, Aunts…… Our mothers are praying for us right now because that is what mothers do.

COMMENTARY

Where would the Church be without Mother Mary, Mother Teresa,\Therese, the Little Flower, Faustina, Bernadette. Joan of Arc, and Clare of Assisi to name a few women in the “cloud of witnesses.”

There are certainly passages in the Old and New Testament that could be interpreted as painting women as less than equal to men. But that was in a culture thousands of years ago in the Middle East. We would have a better understanding of women’s place in God’s kingdom (Church) by focusing more on Jesus’ interchanges with women in the Gospels.

Jesus, himself, did not discriminate against women but engaged them in His Public Ministry: Jesus raised the widow’s son at a funeral procession in Nain Luke 7:11; Jesus healed the woman suffering years of blood loss Mark 5:24-34; and forgave the Woman caught in adultery John 8:1-11 without any discrimination.

Breaking the sexist and racial customs of his day, Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, offering her “living water”

John 4:5-42.

JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN AT THE WELL

To the degree that a Christian treats women in a discriminating or exploitive way, they separate themselves from Jesus Christ. Jesus treated women with openness, respect, acceptance, and tenderness. In this way he honored the dignity that women have always possessed according to God’s plan

WOMEN MINISTRY IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS

Over 85 percent of those responsible for altar preparation are women. Over 75 percent of adult Bible study leaders and participants are women. Over 85 percent of those who lead or assist in ministries designed to help the poor, visit the sick, comfort the grieving, and minister to the handicapped are women.

PAUL LETTER TO EPHESIANS

Women have had a particular problem with St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 5:22-25 that talks about wives being subordinate to husbands, kind of a poor way to put it for 21^st century folks. Early Church Fathers said that Scripture can be rightly interpreted in a variety of ways, but that any understanding of a passage that undermined love of God or love of neighbor ought to be rejected.

Paul is really not placing women in a slavish role to their husbands but trying to compare a marriage couple to the Church the bride, and Christ the bridegroom. The key verse is verse 25, “Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her”

The Catholic Church teaches the proper recipient of Holy Orders is a baptized male as Jesus is. The reservation of priestly ordination to men is perhaps the grievance most often brought up by critics of the Church. The Church does not discriminate against women. Are women less holy than men, of course not, less intellectually capable, of course not?

While on earth, Jesus ordained only men, Women were among the earliest and most courageous followers of Jesus, yet he did not call them to be among the Twelve. Even his own Mother, who according to Catholic belief is the greatest human person in all of history, was not among the Twelve nor ordained a priest.

Jesus’ Church today cannot go beyond Jesus. Some will argue it is a cultural thing. We don’t live in First Century Middle East. But as I stated earlier Jesus was not bound by the usual social norms and broke them all the time. Also women priestesses of pagan gods were common place in the time of Jesus.

CONCLUSION

The First Letter to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 12:12) indicates, just as the human body has different members and each member a different purpose, so, too, the various parts of the body of Christ have many missions, prophets, teachers, healers, helpers, administrators…, all essential, valuable, and vital for life of Church, Christ’s Body.

The bottom line is this…. most saints in heaven are not ordained clergy. The layperson can participate actively and fully in the Church as a layperson, and may they do so with vigor and zeal! The Spirit bestows different gifts on different people. Below are just a few women saints that have gone before us and pray as intercessors.

St Monica Model of Prayer

St Monica the Mother of St. Augustine is remembered and honored for her outstanding Christian virtues of grieving mothers, difficult marriages, victims of abuse and conversion of relatives.

St Therese of Lisieux (Little Flower)

Model of Faith

At the heart of Therese’s understanding of the spiritual life is the principle that holiness can be appreciated and accomplished not only in the performance of mighty deeds but in a willing surrender to the purposes of God as we engage the seemingly ordinary experiences of life.

Mother Theresa of Calcutta Model of Works

St Theresa did amazing works of charity…feeding the poor. nursing the sick and housing the homeless through her order, The Missionaries of Charity, for over 45 years.

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING SOCIAL JUSTICE

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, SOCIAL JUSTICE

PROLOGUE

The Catholic Church from the time of Jesus has a long history of promoting social justice. The early Christians took care of one another in community, looked after the common good, loved each other and prayed together.

“All who believed were together and had all things in common they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes… praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”

Book of Acts 2:42-45

SCRIPTURE

“Anyone who says I love God and hates his neighbor is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” I John 4:20

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?…If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? Faith without works is dead.” James 2:14-17

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

CATHECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

REFLECTION

No one person receives the same talents and gifts but all talents and gifts are present in the body of Christ so that no one is left behind materially or spiritually. In other words, Catholic Social Justice teaching calls on us the “people of God” to minister to our neighbor’s needs, to speak out against injustice, and to work for peace.

CCC #1934 Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.

CCC #1936 On coming into this world man is not equipped with everything he needs for developing his bodily and spiritual life. He needs others. Talents and gifts are not distributed equally, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone…Corinthians chapter 12:4-7

CCC #1937 These differences belong to God’s divine plan who wills that each receives what he needs from others and those endowed with particular talents share them with those who need them. These differences encourage and sometimes oblige persons to practice generosity, kindness, and sharing of goods.

COMMENTARY

In these turbulent times I am going to focus today on the subject of Racism. I have been a social justice advocate all my adult life. have led protests/demonstrations against racial injustice. immoral wars and to abolish the death penalty “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” Matthew 25:40.

In this presidential election year racism has raised its ugly head more than once. Race, ethnicity. and whether you were born in America. It reminds us of the Charlotteville march by KKK shouting Jews will not replace us! Former President Trump when asked to comment said, there were good people on both sides!

RACISM

Racism is not merely one sin among many. It is the Original Sin of our Country. Our country was built on slave labor and the genocide of Native Americans. That is a fact whether we like it or not.

Racism is a radical evil that divides the human family blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father.

With more and more limited resources. the poor and racial minorities are being asked to bear the heaviest burden of the new economic pressures. As economic pressures tighten, those people who are often black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian, the marginalized poor, slip further into the unending cycle of poverty, deprivation, and disease, .

REFLECTION

In Christ Jesus “there does not exist among you Jew or Greek, slave or freedom, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 No one wants to think of themselves as a racist and most people are not. But an examination of conscience might be in order to see the extent that racial bias affects our personal attitudes and judgments.

I know over the years if I had an unpleasant experience with a person of color, I might be inclined to let that “color” my opinions leading to prejudging and perhaps avoiding such a person in the future. Racism is insidious as it might sneak up on us before we are aware and take steps to mitigate any generalization about a race. As disciples of Jesus we do our best to influence the attitudes of others by expressly rejecting racial stereotypes, racial slurs and racial jokes.

If we want peace, we must work for justice – here at home and around the world. Lasting peace is the effect of charity. There is no real peace without forgiveness… If we want peace, we must let go of our desire for revenge, we must be willing to let old wounds heal through the saving grace of God’s love.

Prayer to Overcome Racism

We are called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.

Mary our Mother, we ask for your help in obtaining the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society.

We pray that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts

but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person. Mary Mother of us all, pray for us. Amen

COME FOLLOW ME

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, SCRIPTURE

Jesus summoned the crowd and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel^* will save it.

MARK 8:34-38

TAKE UP YOURCROSS AND FOLLOW ME

I must lose my life to save it. This saying of Jesus at first glance seems to make no sense. We cling to our lives. to what seems to make us happy and comfortable. We are number one. Are we? Who better to know what is good for us than the one who loved us into existence, our Father in heaven.

Jesus summoned the crowd. Whenever Jesus summons a crowd in Scripture you know He has some very important information to share. Jesus will lay out what it means to be His disciple. What it means to be a disciple is to conform to Jesus, to be Jesus in this world to others.

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. MARK 8:34-38

I have always thought if we don’t pay attention to Jesus here on earth in this lifetime why would we want to spend eternal life with Jesus? Would Jesus even recognize us if we have been a stranger here on earth?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,^* but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven…. Matthew 7:21-23

WHAT DOTH IT PROFIT A MAN

MARK 8:34

“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” Jesus is talking about end times, for some of us sooner than later. You can’t take anything material with you. What would you pack if you could take a suitcase?

How have I loved? Am I thankful for the life God has gifted me with? Have I borne witness to Christ or have I been ashamed, embarrassed,or fearful, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Is life eternal with God something I will be compatible with or have I been estranged in my life on earth?

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST MUST EVANGELIZE

JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

The baptized have become “living stones” to be “built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood.”⁷⁴ By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ…They are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”⁷⁵

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1268

“The faith we have received is a gift that came to us, in many cases, from our mothers/grandmothers and fathers/grandfathers. They were the living memory of Jesus Christ within our homes. It was in the family that most of us learned to pray, to love and to live the faith.” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.2016

All baptized Christians are called to do the work of God, not just priests and religious, All Christians are commissioned through our baptism to be other Christs in the world. All of us were chosen by God to be on mission.

To be a disciple of Jesus means a daily renewal of our relationship with Jesus. If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me… whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” Luke 9

FOR MY YOKE IS EASY, MY BURDEN LIGHT

Matthew 11:30

We don’t give up anything when we turn our lives over to Jesus? What are we afraid of? Why don’t people want to learn more about Jesus??? Jesus is all about love. What are we afraid of? We will never be asked more than we can handle. Any cross we have to bear with Jesus is designed for us because Jesus knows it is the path to love!

What are some crosses we may be asked to bear? Sometimes health, maybe even cancer, getting along with family members, providing for our family needs, welcoming children into our families, visiting the sick, taking care of elderly parents and so forth.

Witnesses testify not only with words but their lives. It is not enough to discover Christ for ourselves, we must bring Him to others.

We, on earth, are now God’s instruments, His voice, His deeds. Imitation and proclamation of Jesus Christ is not an option. Our mission is the salvation of souls. It is unthinkable that a person accepts the Word for himself and keeps that light to himself, without bearing witness to others.

CLOSING PRAYER

With the guidance of the Most Holy Spirit,

we pray that we may accurately and lovingly pass on the faith given by Christ

so that others may know Jesus in their hearts,

Worship Jesus in Liturgy,

and follow Jesus’ moral teachings in their daily lives.

TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

TAKE AND RECEIVE

According to Pew Research Center, only 31% of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The US CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS is addressing this issue by launching The NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL.

It’s mission is to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist,”

In summer of 2024, thousands are expected to participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage beginning from each corner of the country and ending in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17–24.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

”The priest takes the host saying these words of consecration, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you…

Then the priest takes the chalice, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME

Jesus is truly present on the altar, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The separate consecration of bread and wine represents the death of Christ by the separation of His Body and Blood.

To understand better the words, “Do this in memory of me,” we need the context of Old Testament stories like Passover. Biblical memorials were not just recalled but re-lived.

A liturgical memorial brings the past and present together, making the long-ago event mystically present for the current generation.

We are then present at Calvary, a witness to Jesus’ bloody sacrifice for our salvation but this time in an un-bloody manner but the same sacrificial offering. Jesus is truly present, body and blood, soul and divinity

HOLY COMMUNION

In the Book of Revelations an angel instructs St. John to write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (REV 19:9).

When the priest says, “Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb,” he echoes the angel’s invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb in the Book of Revelations.

We are being called to participate in the marriage feast of Jesus and his Church. When we go to receive Holy Communion, as a member of the Church, we are coming to be united to our bridegroom, Jesus.

THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God fulfills the Old Testament by allowing Himself to be slain for the forgiveness of sins and rise again, conquering the consequence of sin, death. We thank God that we received Christ physically hoping He receives us divinely.

Come back to Mass, you will be glad you did and the world will be a better place for your participation in the cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1

GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD THE CREATOR, GOD THE REDEEMER, AND GOD THE SANCTIFIER. ONE GOD, THREE PERSONS!

WE REMEMBER, WE CELEBRATE, WE BELIEVE!

REPENT AND COME TO ME

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him

might not perish but might have eternal life.” JOHN 3:16

JESUS CHRIST SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

The Sacrament of Penance is sometimes referred to by various names such as, Sacrament of Confession (we acknowledge our sins); Sacrament of Forgiveness (our sins are forgiven and removed); and Sacrament of Reconciliation (we are reconciled to God and His Church).

After Original Sin, man was separated both from God’s presence and God’s divine life of grace. At the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, God lets it be known that one day a Savior will come and restore man’s relationship with God.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman (Mary the New Eve), and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” Genesis 3:15

The Prophets of the Old Testament promise in their oracles a Savior one day who will offer himself up for the many that we might be restored and reconciled with the Father.

“See the days are coming when I will make a New Covenant….it is Yahweh who speaks…since I will forgive their iniquities and never call their sins to mind.” Jeremiah 31

During his public ministry, Jesus called the people to conversion just the same as the Church does today. Prior to receiving the Sacrament of Penance, we must turn back to God and reject sin.

Jesus is at dinner, with tax collectors and other sinners, some Pharisees object, “why is he eating with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus replies, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick; I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

In Luke 7:36, Jesus is administered to by a woman, a known public sinner. The Pharisee who invited Jesus is distraught by the attention this sinful woman was paying and Jesus allowing her to do so.

Jesus says, “…this woman though with many sins has shown great faith and love. The one who is pardoned more will love more.” Jesus absolves the woman of her many sins, “Your sins are forgiven.”

What great peace and joy the woman must have felt to hear these words of absolution. Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

How similar these words are to the words of absolution we hear from the priest who absolves us in the name of Jesus today in Sacrament of Penance.

The Sacrament of Penance was instituted by Jesus Christ on the evening of his resurrection. “In the evening of the same day… As the Father sent me…so I am sending you…After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven. For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'” John 20:19-35

REPENT AND BE SAVED

Like all the Sacraments, Penance is a liturgical action. The elements of celebration are ordinarily these: a greeting and blessing from the priest, reading the word of God to illuminate the conscience and elicit contrition, exhortation to repentance, the acknowledging of sins to the priest, the imposition and acceptance of a penance, the priest’s absolution, a prayer of thanksgiving and praise and dismissal with a blessing from the priest. (CCC 1480).

“Catholics should go to Confession because everyone needs forgiveness for their sins.” “Whoever says he is without sin is a liar or blind!” Confession is meant to be a sincere moment of conversion, trusting in God’s willingness to forgive His children and help them back on the path of following Jesus, Pope Francis

The sacramental sign of the Sacrament of Penance are the words of absolution through which forgiveness of our sins and distinctive graces of sanctification are conferred.

The Priest receives the penitent with a greeting, a sign of the cross and invitation to trust in God’s mercy

When the priest receives the penitent, he is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seek the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up the wounds, and the merciful Father of the Prodigal Son who welcomes the son back to his family. The priest is the sign and instrument of God’s mercy.

Reading of God’s word

The reading of God’s word is a sign that it is God calling the penitent to conversion. It is this call which draws us to God’s mercy and forgiveness. It is the call which invites us back into right relationship with God and His Church.

Confession of sins

Through the admission of our sins, we look squarely at our relationship with God and our neighbor and open ourselves again to be reconciled with God and full communion with His Church. We accept our Penance as satisfaction for the offense to God and the harm to His Church.

Our act of contrition

Our act of contrition expresses our sorrow for offending God and our detestation of sin. Our words of contrition (sign) express an inward condition and meaning to love God and avoid sin in the future.

Prayer of absolution

The words of absolution by the priest, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and the reply by the penitent, “Amen” restores the penitent to God’s grace, reconciles him with the Church, with himself, with his brothers and sisters whom he has somehow offended, and all Creation.

Proclamation of praise of God and Dismissal

“Give thanks to God for he is good. His mercy endures forever.” This proclamation of praise by the priest and penitent expresses all glory to God the Father and commitment to the First Great Commandment, to love God with our whole mind, our whole heart, our whole soul and with all our strength.

LORD JESUS CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER

RESURRECTION OF THE BODY AND LIFE EVERLASTING

CATECHESIS

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, Eyes have not seen, Ears have not heard what you have prepared for those who love you. We pray Father, that our bodies will rise in glory on the last day through the merits of your only begotten Son, Jesus, who goes before us to prepare for us a place in His Heavenly Mansion and who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 992 -1001 Christ’s Resurrection and Ours;

CCC 1002 -1004 What does it mean to rise and die in Christ

CCC 1006 -1014 The meaning of Christian Death;

CCC 1021 -1022 Particular Judgement;

CCC 1023 -1029 Heaven;

CCC 1030 -1032 Purgatory;

CCC 1033 -1037 Hell;

CCC 1038 – 1041 Last Judgement

CCC 1020 I believe in Life Everlasting

CCC 1042 – 1050 New Heavenly Jerusalem.

HE IS RISEN!

St. Paul preaches in his first letter to the Corinthians, “How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead then Christ has not been raised and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” Corinthians 15:12-14

Death is a consequence of Original Sin. After death, each person faces a particular judgment before God. After the particular judgment, the person will either immediately enter into the blessedness of heaven, purification in purgatory, or eternal damnation in hell.

To die in grave sin, without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love, means remaining separate from God for all eternity. The state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and his blessed is called hell. . Only a free will choice on our part and a persistent state of unrepentance leads one to hell. Hell is the bitter fruit of a final no to God.

Those who die in the grace and friendship with God and perfectly purified from sinfulness will see God face to face as He really is and live with Christ forever. This perfect life with the Blessed Trinity, Mary, and all the saints is called heaven, a state of supreme and definitive happiness forever.

The resurrection of all the dead, the just and unjust, will occur just before the Last Judgment when all who died hear the Son of Man’s command to come forth. Then the bodies will reunite with their souls.

LAST JUDGMENT

In the resurrection we will have spiritual bodies. Our natural bodies came from Adam, our spiritual bodies come from Christ. St. Paul says: “as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man [Adam], so we shall bear the likeness of the heavenly one [Christ]” 1 Corinthians 15:49

St. Paul says: “What is sown is perishable, but what is raised is imperishable; what is sown is contemptible but what is raised is glorious; what is sown is weak, but what is raised is powerful; what is sown is a natural body, and what is raised is a spiritual body” 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Everlasting Life refers to the perpetuity of happiness, blessedness, wholeness, and union with the Most Blessed Trinity in heaven.

“They shall no more hunger and thirst. Neither shall the sun fall on them nor any heat. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and death shall be no more. Nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Our essential happiness in heaven will be the Beatific Vision, to see God as He is, God who is the source of all goodness and perfection.

“Dearly beloved we are now the sons and daughters of God and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know when He shall appear we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is.” I John 3:2

When the Church is present to a dying person, they absolve them from their sins, anoint their bodies, sealing them in holy oil for Christ, and give them Jesus in the Eucharist (Viaticum) for their journey home. The Church sends them home with sweet assurance in the following prayer:

“Go forth Christian soul from this world in the name of God, the Almighty Father who created you. In the name of Jesus, the Son of the Living God who suffered for you. In the name of the Holy Spirit who was poured out upon you.

Go forth faithful Christian. May you live in peace this day. May your home be with God, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph and all the angels and saints. May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth. May Holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May you see your Redeemer face to face.” (CCC #1020)

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Heavenly Father, You sent your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, not to condemn us but to save us. Do not look upon our sinfulness and what we truly deserve, but in your mercy, forgive us. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

What experiences have I had that have strengthened my belief in the immortality of the soul and life after death?
Am I frightened of death? Why? If I knew I was going to die soon, would I make changes in my behavior? If so, what?
Since the body will rise on the last day, why do you think God would have such a plan that body and soul would live for all eternity together.

BLESSINGS FIDUCIA SUPPLICANS

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

FIDUCIA SUPPLICANS (“Supplicating Trust”) is a 2023 Declaration on Catholic Doctrine that allows Catholic priests to bless couples who are not considered to be married according to church teaching, including same-sex couples.

INTRODUCTION

Let the games begin! Once again the Francis Papacy is jarred by controversy. The Church on the left believe Francis approves same sex marriages. The church on the right wants Francis charged with heresy and removed from office for blessing same sex couples.

Division is the main tool of the adversary, the Evil one. There is nothing Satan, wants more than division in God’s family the Church.

Satan is not going to bother those who have already drunk his Kool-Aid. Satan’s attacks are on those struggling to go home to Abba, Father. Satan, so envious, wants no one to have what he can never have, union with the Father.

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world… into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

COMMENTARY

Fiducia Supplicans

DECLARATION

On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings

Ex Audientia Die 18 December 2023
Francis

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Catholic priest can bless a gay or other unmarried couple as long as it is not a formal liturgical blessing and does not give the impression that the Catholic Church is blessing the union as if it were a marriage,

Key points of Fiducia Supplicans

1. It reaffirms the traditional Catholic doctrine on marriage. It makes clear that the Church the Church does not have the power to impart blessings on unionsof persons of the same sex”

2.It clarifies the role of the Church in offering blessing.a distinction between blessing a same-sex couple and blessing their union.

3. It emphasizes Pope Francis’s focus on pastoral charity and inclusivity. Fiducia Supplicans encourages the Church to avoid being overly judgmental or exclusive in its ministry where people seek blessings in faith and sincerity, regardless of their life circumstances.

4. It makes a clear distinction between liturgical rites and blessings. The Church may not create liturgical rites for blessings of unions outside the traditional marriage definition. But the Church can still offer blessings in a pastoral context, to those who ask for a blessing that all that is true, good, and humanly valid in their lives and their relationships be enriched and healed by the presence of the Holy Spirit” FS 29

Fiducia supplicans remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, but it also explores the “pastoral meaning of blessings” in a way that opens “the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.”

The Church responds to the requests of people who are in objectively sinful and disordered situations (either same-sex relationships or other irregular situations, like those who are divorced and invalidly “remarried”) with a prayer that God may help them to overcome sin, to live holier lives, and even discern how they may be restored to full communion..

When we ask for blessing to help us along the way, we receive Actual grace, a divine assistance given to help one do the right thing, distinct from sanctifying grace which is habitual.

Sanctifying grace is the gratuitous gift of His life that God makes to us; it is infused by the Holy Spirit into the soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. Sanctifying grace makes us “pleasing to God Sanctifying grace is the habitual experience of God’s love.

Actual grace is God’s love at work in specific moments. An example of actual grace might be a revelatory moment of prayer. It could be a timely phone call or answer to a prayer.

REFLECTION

What blessings have I asked God for myself?

For others?

Are there times when I bless myself with sign of cross? Bless others with sign of cross?

The sign of the cross must be a prayer not a good luck charm or superstition.

The last image of Jesus on earth is that of his hands being raised in the act of blessing the Eleven, “And lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven” Luke. 2450-51

WE BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

CATECHESIS

A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN

HEBREW 12:1

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, you sent us your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to found a Church, a Communion of saints. Grant us, your Pilgrim church, perseverance in our journey that we may join the saints in heaven in praising you, forever and ever. In Jesus’ name we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 946 – 953 How are we a Communion of Saints

CCC 954 – 962The Communion of the Church of Heaven and Earth

CCC 968 – 972 Mary the mother of Christ-Church

The “Communion of Saints,” is also called the Mystical Body of Christ or the Church, We are the pilgrim Church on earth still making our way back home. We fight hard to overcome the World, the flesh, and the Devil. We are sometimes called the “Church Militant.”

Another part of the Communion of Saints are souls purgatory, not yet purified and perfected but will one day enter heaven. They are members of the Church who have died and have not yet entered into the glory of God’s presence because of some unrepentant sin or effects of sin still remaining at the time of their death.

We believe that God in his mercy purifies Souls in Purgatory and purges them of their sins and effects so they may worthily enter into the presence of the all Holy God, “before whom nothing unclean shall enter.” Revelation 21:27

We call the souls in Purgatory, the Church Suffering. It is painful in Purgatory just as it is here on earth when God breaks us from our addictions and willfulness. The souls in Purgatory also suffer because they are separated from full communion with God.

We can pray for these loved ones in purgatory that they soon may be purified and perfected. Souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves but can pray for us. They can pray for us that we may have fortitude and perseverance in our journey home. They pray for us now and will intercede for us when they get to heaven.

The final group of saints is already in heaven, already experiencing the Beatific Vision. We call these saints, the “Church Triumphant.” We, the pilgrim church, celebrate in liturgy the “Communion of Saints” here on earth on back to back Feast Days of All Saints and All Souls.

The communion of saints, the Church, is truly God’s family. This should give us great encouragement. We are vast in numbers, too many to comprehend.

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run the race, before us, with perseverance, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith who for the joy, set before Him, endured the cross, and is seated at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)

Lord God, you are glorified in your saints. In their lives on earth, you give us an example. In our communion with them, you give us their friendship. Around your throne, the saints, our brothers and sisters, sing your praises forever. With their great company and all the angels in heaven, we, too, praise your glory, now and forever. Amen.

LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

1.Who are my favorite saints?

What is there about them that appeal to me?

2. How often do I pray for the souls in purgatory? My deceased family members? Those who have no one to pray for them?

3. Jesus is the one mediator and our Savior. Do we still pray to saints to intercede for us?

COME FOLLOW ME

JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH THE LIFE

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

CATECHESIS

CATECHESIS HANDING ON THE FAITH

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

This great commission has been handed on to women and men, whom God has called, to proclaim the Good News. This ministry of teaching and forming has traditionally been referred to as catechesis. Catechesis is the effort within the Church to make disciples, to help people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God…and to educate and instruct them in this life and thus build up the Body of Christ. (Catechesi Tradendae #1)

Knowledge of God

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Almighty and Great God you created us out of love. Jesus, your Son has taught us to call you Abba, Father. You sustain us, Father and nourish us in your revealed Word. Father lead us into a deeper knowledge of you who is love itself. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 27 -30 Man’s desire for God

CCC 31 – 35 Ways of coming to know God

CCC 36 -38 Knowledge of God according to the Church

CCC 39 – 43 How we can speak about God

The first Roman Catechism was commissioned in 1546 by the Council of Trent. It prevailed for four centuries and was still highly recommended by Pope John XXIII in 1960. On June 25, 1992 Pope John Paul II officially approved The Catechism of the Catholic Church now in its second edition. The Roman Catechism of Trent and the recently published Catechism of the Catholic Church are the only official Catechisms published by the Catholic Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992 is broken into four parts like the Roman Catechism of Trent: The Creed (Faith Professed) Sacraments (Faith Celebrated) Commandments (Faith Lived) and Our Father (Faith Prayed.)

Our Creed begin with the words “I believe.” To believe does not mean to think, to suppose, or to be of the opinion of but rather it is an expression of a person with the deepest conviction and of unhesitating assent to all God has revealed and taught through his Son, Jesus Christ.

The knowledge derived from faith is NOT to be considered less certain than knowledge derived from physical objects and sense experience. Our Faith is given to us by a God who can neither deceive nor be deceived and testified to by Jesus Christ and his disciples.

The desire for God is written in the human heart because man is created by God, for God. God never ceases to draw us to Himself. God loved me into existence. We can forget God or reject God, but God never ceases to call everyone to seek Him and to find eternal life.

There are many ways to know or approach God. Beginning with Creation, its beauty, and order, we can come to the knowledge of an intelligent First Cause. There is a first cause that exists outside of ourselves that most people call God. Nothing in Creation is necessary. All is contingent. Something exists in creation because God loved and willed it into existence.

Our holy Mother, the Church, holds and teaches us that God is the first principle and last end of all things and can be known with certainty from the created world and by the natural light of human reason. When we speak about God it is always limited because God is infinite and we are not.

It is easier to say what God is not. God is always more than we can know or say about Him. We may speak about God, even if our knowledge is limited and our human words always fall short of the full mystery of God

CLOSING PRAYER: (PRAY THE FAITH)

Loving God, I praise you for the gift of divine Revelation which helps my reason discover you in creation and in my conscience. Thank you for giving me a capacity for your presence within the depths of my heart. Cleanse my heart of any obstacles to your loving presence. In Jesus’ name we pray.

LIFE APPLICATION: (LIVE THE FAITH)

1. Is my curiosity about God and the world still alive and well or am I too grown up to be amazed in awe and wonder?

2. Do I sense a spiritual restlessness in my soul? What have I done to satisfy this restlessness that makes me feel a deepening need of God’s presence in me?

3. What am I most passionate about in life? Where do I place my enthusiasm and energy?

4. We make plans and God laughs! What is God’s plan for me?