RCIA - 2017 God the Father Trinity The Bible I-4
Francis of Assisi B: 1182 D: 1226 Son of a wealthy merchant. Member of Local Militia, Captured in Battle: Spent captivity reviewing his life. Had vision of Jesus speaking to him from crucifix. Dramatically rejected all worldly goods and became wandering preacher. Preached a simplified Christianity based on service to the poor. Marked with the Stigmata. Band of Followers became known as Franciscans FEAST DAY- 04 OCT Saints of the Week
Chiara (Clare) of Assisi B: 1193 D: 1253 Daughter of a Nobleman. 11 years younger than Francis. Witnessed Francis' dramatic renunciation of worldly goods. Often heard him preaching. Ran away to join Francis at age 18. Francis set her up in a make shift convent. Her sister Agnes soon joined her as did other women. Her followers became known as the Poor Clares. They live out Francis' message of simplicity and service to the poor. FEAST DAY: 12 AUG Saints of the Week
Week 2 Focus Word(s) Week 2 Paradigm Sacrament Review Week 3 Faith Believing Trusting Acting Reconciliation Restoration of intimate relationship sharing in divine life Church as Sacrament Encounter with the Triune God Experiencing God s Presence Week 3 Salvation History God reaches out to heal the rift between God & Man Sends His only Son Jesus
Focus Words for tonight: Trinity Three, but in One Singularity Agape Unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love, willing to overlook faults and flaws, willing to forgive. One of 5 Greek words that translate into English as Love. Also translated as Charity, but Charity has taken on some negative connotations.
Beginning of the Creed I believe in one God, The Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. Of all things visible and invisible.
Does God Have a Name? But, said Moses to God, when I go to the Israelites and say to them, ' The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' if they ask me, 'What is his name?' what am I to tell them? God replied, I am who am. Then he added, This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you
I am who am Yahweh - In Hebrew Also know as the Tetragram (4 Letters) YHWH Ego eimi In Greek Sometimes translated Jehovah Meaning of Yahweh I am existence itself I am source of all existence all that exists
God is: Yahweh - Source of all existence A mystery beyond human comprehension God has revealed himself as Trinity Three Persons but in total unity as One God
Trinity God is Three In -One Three Persons but one God Father - Creator Son - Savior Holy Spirit - Inspirer Life Force in the Church Full comprehension is beyond human capability.
God is love (Agape) God reaches out to creation as a loving dad (abba); Man separated himself from God through Original Sin. We continue to separate ourselves through personal sin. God sent Jesus (the Christ) to us to bridge the gap between God and man (reconcile man to God). Man's Destiny is Re-Union with God.
Agape Essence of God God is Love; And he who abides in Love, abides in God; And God in him. 1 John 4:16
The meaning of Love in this context is Lost in Translation: Greek has several words for Love: Mania - Obsession Eros - Emotional Philos - Friendship/ Fondness Storgy - Commitment Agape - Unconditional Love based in Choice The Meaning in the New Testament context is Agape: God Loves us unconditionally because he chooses to.
Agape is central to the teachings of Jesus. Matthew 22:35-40 The Two Great Commandments Love (Agape) God above all things Love (Agape) your neighbor as your self Paul So faith, hope, love (Agape) remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love (Agape).
Christian Life should be based in Agape Message of Jesus based on Agape: Two Great Commandments Love God above all things Love your neighbor as yourself Love in this context is Agape Final Judgment (Matthew Chapter 25 verses 31-46) Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.
The Catholic Bible Divided into Two major Sections Old Testament Story of Salvation until time of Jesus New Testament Jesus' Message as received by Early Church (Time of the Apostles)
What the Bible is Not It is not Science as we know it. It is not History as we record it. What the Bible is: A collection of inspired books in different styles of writing Creation Stories / Prehistory Poetry Books of Wisdom Historic in sense of Seeing God's hand in historic events Prophecy Gospels Depiction of Jesus Life and Message Epistles (Letters)- Apocalyptic Writings - Inspired by Holy Spirit as guide to human author
Understanding the Bible Some Major approaches Fundamentalist Every word to be taken literally. God dictated the bible word for word. Historical Critical Analysis Studying the original text in context of the whole document, critical examination of writing style, word usage etc. Literary Analysis e.g. Poetry is meant to be Poetic, Fables are Fictitious Albeit with a spiritual message
Understanding the Bible Catholic Approach Bible is written by Human Authors under Divine Inspiration Scholarly analysis helps to better understand the Spiritual Message Analytical tools include: Critical Analysis of Text Literary Analysis Science Tradition Magisterium
Magisterium As the successors of the Apostles, it is the particular responsibility of the Bishops in union with the Pope to faithfully teach, interpret, and preserve the scriptures and tradition for all believers until Christ returns in glory.
Salvation History Old Testament (Old Covenant) Books of: Pentateuch (1st 5 books) Shows God as God of Israel by Covenant. Covenant is an agreement based on Agape. History: God Intervenes for Israel. Wisdom: God is compassionate and faithful. Prophecy: God promises a Savior to liberate Israel from her enemies for all times.
New Testament (New Covenant) Written in Greek the universal language of the day. Books: Gospels 4 Gospels; Jesus' Ministry & Message Matthew, Mark, Luke (Synoptic 3) John ( More theologically developed) Acts of the Apostles by Luke An historical account of early Church Epistles 21 letters; 13 by St. Paul to specific Churches or Persons 8 General letters by James, Peter, John & Jude plus Letter to the Hebrews (author unknown attributed to Paul or his disciple) Book of Revelation (Apocalyptic Literature) by John Visionary Hard to understand
The Book of Jonah Was Jonah really swallowed by a whale? Are you sure about that? What about the gastric juices? Are there even whales in the Mediterranean? What is the message of the Book of Jonah Hints the reluctant prophet God's will prevails God's ways are not always our ways
Preview Next Class Jesus the Christ God the Son Reading Assignment The Book of Jonah Matthew 25:31-46