FINDING JESUS IN THE GOSPELS BIBLICAL FORMATION & CATECHESIS FOR THE NEW EVANGELIZATION 12015

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1 FINDING JESUS IN THE GOSPELS BIBLICAL FORMATION & CATECHESIS FOR THE NEW EVANGELIZATION THIS IS NOT AN ORDINARY SYLLABUS and my apologies; but this is not an ordinary Topic. At this crucial moment in the history of our Church we need a new approach to catechesis not merely another type of catechetical class or a Bible Study; but a catechesis which is grounded in a reflective study of the Life of Jesus Christ as it is revealed in all Four Gospels, in other Biblical writings, as well as readings from Saints and Fathers of the Church. Very slowly over 20 years I have been composing this syllabus. First I used it to form undergraduate students at Christendom College and later to teach courses on the Life of Jesus Christ to all age groups in parishes where I have been assigned. Working closely with a very dedicated DRE, I then adapted it as a matrix to present basic catechetical material in a parish religious education program. After moving to Denver at the request of Archbishop Chaput to work with Dr. Timothy Gray and the Augustine Institute for the New Evangelization, it struck me that it might also be made available online so that it might be used by priests, parents, and catechists who desire to take time aside with Jesus Christ during their quiet prayer & meditation looking back over His Life, studying His words, recalling His deeds, and, like our Mother Mary, to treasure these things, pondering them in our hearts. So ideally, assignments should be embraced and pondered as Spiritual Reading employing basic methodologies [Lectio Divina, Ignatian Meditation, Augustinian Reflection, etc.] Sacred Scripture is a uniquely transformative type of literature, and the Gospels are the preeminent literary form of the Bible. Parents, catechists, and students should allow themselves to be engaged by these texts in a manner like that described by St. Augustine in Book Eight of his Confessions his tolle lege ( take and read! ) moment asking; How is God seeking to call, challenge, encourage and reveal Himself to me through these words? This syllabus also provides a useful framework for any persons desiring to follow the chronological syllabus of Our Lord s Life, and may prove to be of some assistance for those who seek to re-organize and re-present their instructional materials in such a manner that they are able to keep Jesus clearly and firmly in the heart of each catechetical/teaching session, following Christ s Own methodology. 1

2 An excellent exercise as one reads through these assignments is to seek to understand the organic relationship between the elements of Divine Revelation, especially between Testaments Old and New as described in Dei Verbum: GOD, THE INSPIRER AND AUTHOR OF THE BOOKS OF BOTH TESTAMENTS, IN HIS WISDOM HAS SO BROUGHT IT ABOUT THAT THE NEW SHOULD BE HIDDEN IN THE OLD AND THAT THE OLD SHOULD BE MADE MANIFEST IN THE NEW. FOR, ALTHOUGH CHRIST FOUNDED THE NEW COVENANT IN HIS BLOOD [c. LK 22:20; 1 COR 11:25], STILL THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, ALL OF THEM CAUGHT UP IN THE GOSPEL MESSAGE, ATTAIN AND SHOW FORTH THEIR FULL MEANING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT [MT 5:17; LK 24:27; ROM 16:25 6; 2 COR 3:14 16] AND IN THEIR TURN, SHED LIGHT ON IT AND EXPLAIN IT [DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II: DEI VERBUM #16]. Again; the ultimate objective of this approach is to provide structure for those seeking not merely relationship with Jesus but a deeper and more intimate holy communion with Him in and through their pondering of the Gospels. As we grow in holiness through this encounter, may we grow in our ability as heralds and catechists for Christ and His Church in this era of the New Evangelization. READING LIST PRIMARY SOURCES The Bible Highly recommended is the Ignatius Bible, Catholic Edition, which is an excellent presentation of the Revised Standard Translation of the Old and New Testaments. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: American Bible Society This book is indispensable for an effective study of Jesus Life in the Gospels. In chronological sequence one sees on each page the accounts of each Evangelist in parallel columns an excellent way to see the entire picture without flipping back and forth between Gospels. The Catechism of the Catholic Church Necessary teaching, wisdom, and instruction from the Magisterium of our Church our lens for viewing and understanding Divine Revelation. The Liturgy of the Hours [4-Volume Set] for readings from Church Fathers and other Church documents Not only is the Liturgy of the Hours [ the Divine Office ] the 2

3 official prayer of the Church sung and prayed by Priests and Religious from the rising of the sun to its setting ; the 4-Volume set published by the Catholic Book Publishing Company includes a treasure trove of insights and teachings from the greatest Saints and Doctors of the Church. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament 2 nd Catholic Edition RSV Why a second Bible? The Ignatius RSV Bible recommended above includes both Testaments. This book is only the New Testament, but with scholarly [and reliable] footnotes and articles which greatly enhance one s understanding of the texts. SECONDARY SOURCES Hidden Victory. Father Herbert J. Smith S.J. Usually Historical Novels on the Life of Jesus Christ are best avoided. In this book, however, Fr. Herbert has combined an extraordinary understanding of Jesus Christ and His times, a reverential awe of Sacred Scripture and the Gospels and an amazingly intuitive insight in his portrayal of Jesus and the men and the woman who participated in the story of our salvation. A fine compliment to our praying and pondering! SO HOW DO I GET STARTED? GET THE BOOKS ABOVE [OR MOST OF THEM]. READ THROUGH THE OVERVIEW BELOW IT IS A CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE GOSPEL TEXTS, THE MOST LIKELY CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, AND THEIR GEOGRAPHIC LOCALES. THE GOSPELS, AFTER ESTABLISHING THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF THE WORD THE ETERNAL SON OF THE FATHER, BEGIN WITH THE INFANCY NARRATIVES [@ 6 BC thru 6 AD]. ALL FOUR EVANGELISTS PASS OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS IN SILENCE AND THEN PICK UP WITH THE APPEARANCE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST LATE IN THE YEAR 27 AD. JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY PROBABLY BEGAN WITH HIS BAPTISM IN DECEMBER OF 27 AD AND RAN THROUGH SPRING OF THE YEAR 30 AD ABOUT 2½ YEARS 3

4 OVERVIEW: THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST 1. IN THE BEGINNING FROM ALL ETERNITY JOHN S PROLOGUE: DIVINITY & HUMANITY OF THE WORD BEFORE CREATION 2. INFANCY NARRATIVES I: LUKE S PROLOGUE, ZECHARIAH, ANNUNCIATION, VISITATION, 6 BC 3. INFANCY NARRATIVES II: GENEALOGIES, JOSEPH, NATIVITY, 6 BC 4. INFANCY NARRATIVES III: CIRCUMCISION, PRESENTATION, WISE MEN, HEROD, FINDING IN THE 6 6 AD 5. EARLY JUDEA I: MARK S PROLOGUE, BAPTISM, DEC 27 AD JAN 28 AD 6. EARLY JUDEA II: FIRST CALL, CANA, CLEANSING OF THE JAN MAR FIRST PASSOVER DURING JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY 7. EARLY JUDEA III: NICODEMUS, THE SAMARITAN WOMAN, ROYAL OFFICIAL S SON, PENTECOST MAR MAY EARLY GALILEE I: ARREST OF THE BAPTIST, 2 ND CALL, SYNAGOGUE, PETER S HOUSE, EARLY JUNE JULY EARLY GALILEE II: LEPER, PARALYTIC, JUNE JULY EARLY GALILEE III: FASTING, SABBATH GRAIN, MAN WITH WITHERED JUNE JULY MID-GALILEE I: CHOOSING THE 12 APOSTLES, SERMON ON THE JULY 28 TO FEB MID GALILEE II: CENTURION, WIDOW OF NAIN, STORM, GERESENE DEMONIAC, JAIRUS, APOS. JULY 28 TO FEB MID GALILEE III: MARY MAGDALENE, HOLY WOMEN, MARY AND JULY 28 TO FEB MID GALILEE IV: JESUS CRAZY, BEELZEBUB, PARABLES, JESUS REJECTED AT JULY 28 TO FEB MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES AND WALKING ON THE MAR/APR SECOND PASSOVER DURING JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY 16. THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE: PASSOVER 29 MAR/APR THE ROCK BLOCK: PETER THE ROCK, THE CROSS, TRANSFIGURATION, BOY W/ UNCLEAN MAY/JUNE LATE GALIEE I: SYRO PHOENICIAN WOMAN, EPHETHA, 4,000 FED, SUMMER LATE GALILEE II: MARRIAGE, MERCY, DIVES, THE RICH MAN, PRODIGAL, JAMES &JOHN, SUMMER LATE JUDEAN MINISTRY I: FEAST OF BOOTHS, ADULTEROUS WOMAN, JESUS & THE FALL LATE JUDEAN MINISTRY II: MAN BORN BLIND, GOOD SHEPHERD, LAZARUS, RETREAT, LATE FALL WINTER 29/30 AD 22. HOLY WEEK: PALM SUNDAY, THE FIG TREE, DUEL WITH THE AUTHORITIES, THE APRIL 30 AD THE THIRD AND LAST PASSOVER IN JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY 23. LAST SUPPER I: FOOT WASHING & INSTITUTION OF HOLY APRIL 6, 30 AD 24. LAST SUPPER II: HOLY EUCHARIST II; THE BETRAYER, NEW COMMANDMENT, PETER S DENIAL, APRIL 6, 30 AD 25. LAST SUPPER III: THE FAREWELL DISCOURSE, LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED, APRIL 6, 30 AD 26. GETHSEMANE: PRAYER, DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL, THE APRIL 6, 30 AD 27. THE TRIAL AND TORTURE OF JESUS: CAIAPHAS, PILATE, HEROD, THE MOB, APRIL 7, 30 AD 28. THE CRUCIFIXION: WAY OF THE CROSS, JESUS NAILED SEVEN LAST APRIL 7, 30 AD 29. THE CRUCIFIXION II: SEVEN LAST WORDS II & DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST, HEART, BURIAL, APRIL 7, 30 AD 30. THE RESURRECTION I: THE MAGDALENE, EMMAUS, THE APOSTLES, APRIL 9, 30 AD 31. THE RESURRECTION II: BY THE SEA, CONFIRMATION OF PETER, APRIL 30 AD 32. THE ASCENSION & MAY/JUNE 30 AD 4

5 READING THE STORY: THE NARRATIO of JESUS CHRIST IN THE GOSPELS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT: IN ONE OF HIS LESSER-KNOWN WORKS, DE CATECHIZANDIS RUDIBUS, [ ON CATECHIZING BEGINNERS ] ST. AUGUSTINE ADVOCATES THE IMPORTANCE OF TELLING THE STORY PRESENTING AN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION OF SALVATION HISTORY. IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE SEEN THIS DONE QUITE BRILLIANTLY AND EFFECTIVELY WITH THE EVENTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. BUT SURPRISINGLY, NO ONE HAS TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO FOLLOW THE SAME METHODOLOGY WITH THE GREATEST STORY IN HISTORY THE STORY OF JESUS LIFE AMONG US. TO ATTAIN AN ACCURATE GRASP OF THE UNFOLDING OF THE EVENTS IN JESUS LIFE, IT IS NECESSARY TO DOVETAIL THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS [MATTHEW, MARK, & LUKE WHICH PRESENT THE EVENTS OF JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY AS IF THEY TOOK PLACE IN A SINGLE YEAR OF FAVOR, ] AND THE GOSPEL OF JOHN WHICH DESCRIBES A TIME OF ACTIVITY EXTENDING ACROSS 2½ YEARS. FIRST WE WOULD RECOMMEND READING NARRATIO A SIMPLE OVERVIEW/CHRONOLOGY OF THE LIFE OF JESUS [ABOUT 9 ½ DOUBLE- SPACED PAGES]. IT MAY BE FOUND BY RETURNING TO THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST PAGE ON THE HEART OF CATECHESIS SITE, AND CLICKING ON NARRATIO. SECONDLY; A BRISK READING OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK THE SHORTEST AND SIMPLEST OF THE FOUR [PROBABLY DICTATED BY PETER TO MARK IN AD]. THIS COULD EASILY BE DONE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS OR IN A FEW DAYS. MAKE THIS READ-THRU A STUDY [NOT SLOWLY PONDERING AS IN YOUR SPIRITUAL READING]. FOCUS ON THE PLOT THE UNFOLDING SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AS THEY WERE CONCEIVED FROM ALL ETERNITY AND ORCHESTRATED BY GOD HIMSELF. GET A SENSE OF THE NARRATIO. THIS READING MAY BE DONE AS A PART OF ONE S OWN PRAYER TIME, BUT WE RECOMMEND THAT IT BE DONE THE TIME USUALLY ALLOTTED TO SECULAR READING. AFTER GETTING A SENSE AND OVERVIEW OF THE STORY OF CHRIST AS IT UNFOLDED, ONE SHOULD THEN READ THRU THE GOSPELS A BIT MORE SLOWLY AND METHODICALLY, ATTEMPTING TO INTEGRATE THE MATERIAL OF ALL FOUR OF THE GOSPELS IN A CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE. THIS READING COULD EASILY BE ACCOMPLISHED IN SEVERAL WEEKS. FOLLOWING THE READINGS AS LAID OUT IN THE CHART ON THE NEXT PAGE WILL HELP WITH THIS ENDEAVOR 5

6 APPROX. DATES STAGE OF MINISTRY READINGS IN THE GOSPELS BEFORE TIME: PRE-EXISTENCE JN 1: BC 7 AD INFANCY NARRATIVES LK 1, MT 1, LK 2, MT 2 DEC 27 AD APR 28 AD EARLY JUDEAN MINISTRY MT 3:1 4:11 and JN 1:19 thru JN 5 MAY 28 AD JUL 28 AD EARLY GALILEAN MINISTRY LK 4:14 LK 6:11 AUG 28 AD APR 29 AD MID GALILEAN MINISTRY MT 5:1 thru MT 7:29 and LK 7:1 LK 9:9 and JN 6:1 71 MAY 29 AD SEPT 29 AD LATE GALILEAN MINISTRY MT 14:22 MT 17:27 and LK 9:46 19:27 OCT 29 AD MAR 30 AD LATE JUDEAN MINISTRY JN 7:1 JN 11:57 and MT 20:1 25:46 EARLY APRIL 30 AD HOLY WEEK JN 12 and MT 26:1 16 AND LK 22:1 13 APRIL 6, 30 AD LAST SUPPER MT 26:17 35 and LK 22:14 38 and JN APRIL 6, 30 AD GETHSEMANE MT 26:36 56 and MK 14:32 52 [approaching midnight] and LK 22:39 53 and JN 18:1 11 APRIL 7, 30 AD TRIAL OF JESUS MT 26:57 MT 27:31 and MK 14:53 MK 15:20 and LK 22:54 LK 23:25 and JN 18:12 19:16 APRIL 7, 30 AD CRUCIFIXION & DEATH OF JESUS MT 27:32 66 and MK15:21 47 and LK 23:32 56 and JN 19:17 42 APRIL 9, 30 AD RESURRECTION OF JESUS MT 28 and MK 16 and LK 24 and JN & ASCENSION [and ACTS Chapter 1 too!] AFTER THE BRISK READING OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK, AND A MORE CAREFUL AND STUDIED READING OF THE PASSAGES IN THE SEQUENCE LISTED JUST ABOVE, ONE MIGHT THEN BE INCLINED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH A LONG AND SLOW TREASURING AND PONDERING OF THE TEXTS AS WE PRESENT THEM IN THIS SYLLABUS BELOW. THE READINGS AS PRESENTED IN EACH OF THE 32 SECTIONS SHOULD BE SLOWLY READ AND PONDERED OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK. ONE MAY ALSO BE INCLINED TO READ THROUGH THE CORRESPONDING LESSON BOOKLETS [AVAILABLE ON THE CURRICULUM PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE] AND PERHAPS USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAND ON WHAT HAS BEEN CONTEMPLATED! WE SHALL PROVIDE AN EXPLANTION/COMMENTARY COLOR CODE FOR THE FIRST PAGE OF THE SYLLABUS TO EXPLAIN HOW THE SYLLABUS IS TO BE USED. MAY YOU KNOW A TRUE AND HOLY COMMUNION WITH JESUS CHRIST AS YOU EMBRACE HIM IN AND THROUGH HIS WORD! 6

7 KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THE SYLLABUS THE SYLLABUS IS A BIT DENSE, BUT WITH A BIT OF THOUGHT AND CONSIDERATION IT WILL MAKE SENSE. THESE READINGS WILL EASILY OCCUPY A PERSON WHO PONDERS AND PRAYS THEM FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR. AGAIN, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SYNOPSIS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS [WHICH IS THE RSV TRANSLATION] FOR YOUR PRIMARY SOURCE. THE IGNATIUS CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE: NEW TESTAMENT IS AN EXCELLENT SUPPLEMENT. THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS, 4 VOLUME EDITION WILL PROVIDE INSIGHT AND EXPLANATION AND THE WISDOM OF THE GREATEST SAINTS AND DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH. NOW GO TO IT! IF YOU ARE LOST OR CONFUSED, SAY A HAIL MARY AND ME AT padre@heartofcatechesis.org. YOU MAY HAVE TO WAIT REMEMBER, I AM A PRIEST FIRST, AND WILL NEVER BE A COMPUTER DUDE. I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET BACK TO YOU. 1. IN THE BEGINNING FROM ALL ETERNITY COMMENTARY ON THIS FIRST PAGE OF SYLLABUS IS IN RED AND HIGHLIGHTED. THE FIRST LINE OF EACH SECTION INCLUDES THEME AND APPROX. TIMEFRAME/DATING OF PASSAGE FROM THAT SECTION. JOHN S PROLOGUE: DIVINITY & HUMANITY OF THE WORD JN 1:10 18 [1] WE WILL LIST CITATIONS FROM GOSPELS CLEARLY FOR THOSE WHO WILL BE USING STANDARD BIBLES. OUR RECOMMENDATION, HOWEVER, IS THAT PEOPLE USE THE BOOK SYNOPSIS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS FOR THEIR PRAYING AND PONDERING REQUIRED READINGS: SYNOP 1 PROLOGUE SO, FOR THIS FIRST SECTION, ONE SHOULD READ PASSAGE #1 IN THE SYNOPSIS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS. BIBLE PROV 8:22 36 Yahweh begot me, the firstborn of His ways WIS 7:22b 8:1 an aura of the Might of God and a pure effusion of the Glory WIS 9:9 18 Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works and was present 7

8 PS 2: Yahweh said to Me, Your are My Son, this day I have begotten You PS 110 Yahweh said to my Lord, Sit at My Right Hand THE READER SHOULD ALSO INTEGRATE A PONDERING OF THESE OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS IN HIS PRAYER/ STUDY TIME DURING THE WEEK HE SPENDS ON THIS SECTION. ONE MIGHT QUIETLY CONSIDER HOW THESE OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS AND PROPHECIES ARE MANIFESTED AND FULFILLED IN JESUS CHRIST CCC 290 the verb create Hebrew, bara always has God as its Subject 291 God created everything by the Eternal Word [ create/bara in 290] 234 The Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central Mystery of Christian Faith 1997 Grace is a participation in the Life of God At the Heart of Catechesis we find, in essence, a Person Jesus IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH CLOSE AT HAND IN ANY CONSIDERATION AND STUDY OF REVELATION. IN EACH SECTION OF THIS SYLLABUS WE SHALL INCLUDE ILLUMINATIVE PASSAGES FROM THE CCC WHICH WILL ASSIST THE READER IN PROPERLY UNDERSTANDING THE TEXTS HE IS PONDERING. LITURGY OF THE HOURS OFFICE OF READINGS THE WORD CREATES A DIVINE HARMONY ST. ATHANASIUS LOH III pp WK 1, FRI THE WORD MANIFESTED ST. HIPPOLYTUS LOH I pp DEC 23 THE SON REVEALS THE FATHER ST. ATHANASIUS LOH III pp WK 6, TUES LIGHT, GRACE, RADIANCE IN TRINITY ST. ATHANASIUS LOH III pp Trinity Sunday THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS IS NOT ONLY THE OFFICIAL PRAYER OF THE CHURCH, SUNG AND RECITED BY PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD; IT IS A TREASURE TROVE OF MEDITATIONS, PRAYERS, AND INSIGHTS OF MANY OF THE GREATEST THEOLOGIANS, SAINTS, AND DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH. IN THIS SYLLABUS WE EMPLOY A SIMPLE CODE TO ALLOW THE READER TO LOCATE THE READINGS RECOMMENDED. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE FIRST READING CITED ABOVE, THE WORD CREATES A DIVINE HARMONY BY ST. ATHANASIUS, GO TO VOLUME THREE OF THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS [ORDINARY TIME WEEKS 1 17] AND TURN TO PAGES 71 & 72 TO ENJOY ST. ATHANASIUS COMMENTARY ON THE PASSAGE UNDER CONSIDERATION. IF ONE IS USING A DIFFERENT EDITION OF THE LOH WHERE THE PAGE NUMBERS TO NOT MATCH UP, THE LATTER ELEMENTS OF THE CODE PROVIDE ANOTHER WAY TO LOCATE THE PASSAGE BEING SOUGHT IN THIS CASE, THE 8

9 OFFICE OF READINGS FOR WEEK 1, FRIDAY. RECOMMENDED READINGS: CCC #237 The Trinity is a Mystery of the Faith in the strict sense IGNATIUS CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE [HEREAFTER ICSB] INTRODUCTION: INSPIRATION, INERRANCY, AUTHORITY, SENSES, INTERPRETATION, TEXT [ICSB pp. ix xiv] LOGOS/WORD WORD STUDY [ICSB p. 161] INTRODUCTION TO GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN [ICSB pp ] THE IGNATIUS CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE: NEW TESTAMENT, IS A FINE RESOURCE FOR SOLID, INSIGHTFUL, ORTHODOX COMMENTARY ON THE SCRIPTURES. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! TOPICS TO BE CONSIDERED DURING THIS LECTURE: THE HOLY TRINITY I: SHAMROCK & FLAME OF CANDLE, BURNING BUSH, DIAGRAM TRUTH, GOODNESS, BEAUTY IT S GREEK TO ME GREEK TERMS: LOGOS, EIN THE FALL OF MAN I: IN SS, GIFTS & LOSS, DARKNESS: EVIL, SIN, ORIGINAL SIN LIGHT: GRACE, TRUTH, CHARITY, SACRAMENTS IN EACH SECTION WE SHALL INCLUDE IN GREEN, CATECHETICAL AND EXEGETICAL TOPICS THAT WE WOULD RECOMMEND FOR CONSIDERATION/PRESENTATION IF ONE IS USING THIS SYLLABUS TO ADAPT AND REORGANIZE MATERIALS SO THAT THEY MAY FOLLOW THE GOSPELS & CHRIST S OWN METHODOLOGY / CHRONOLOGY IN THEIR PRESENTATION. TERMS: GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON [JESUS CHRIST], GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, REALITY, TRUTH, DIVINITY, MYSTERY, ETERNAL, PERSON, NATURE, CREATE, GRACE, CHARITY, SIN, CONCUPISCENCE, SACRAMENTS, 1 ST COMMANDMENT IN EACH SECTION BLUE WORDS REFER TO TERMS IN OUR HEART OF CATECHESIS MANUAL [WHICH MAY BE FOUND ON THE PHILOSOPHY PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE] THESE TERMS AND DEFINITIONS ARE MEANT TO BE MEMORIZED AND ARE USEFUL FOR UNDERSTANDING AND EXPLAINING THE MYSTERIES OF OUR FAITH. SS MEM CREATION: GEN 1 & 2 FALL: GEN 3 THE WORD: JN 1 HOLY TRINITY: MT 3 AT THE BOTTOM OF MANY OF OUR SECTION PAGES, IN PURPLE THERE WILL BE LISTED CHAPTER CITATIONS 9

10 FOR KEY APOLOGETIC TEXTS WHICH MAY BE MEMORIZED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. A FULL LISTING OF THESE KEY CITATIONS MAY BE FOUND ON PAGE 7 OF OUR HEART OF CATECHESIS MANUAL. HOPEFULLY THE INTRODUCTION AND EXPLANATION OF THIS SYLLABUS HAS BEEN CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU TO MOVE AHEAD! WE WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEXT ARTICLE ON THE LIFE OF JESUS PAGE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST PART ONE GOD LOVE AND BLESS YOU! THE PADRE padre@heartofcatechesis.org 10