What do you seek? The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" R.C.I.A. The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. John 1:35-39 Life s Great Questions Need Answers What is the meaning of life? Who is God? Who is Jesus? How do I find real peace & happiness? What happens when we die? How do I get to heaven? What is the truth? For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14 R.C.I.A Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults A time to seek & encounter God A logical presentation of the Catholic Faith A time to ask questions & receive answers A time understand the reasons for why we believe and how we know they are true Key Goal: To encounter Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life To see the beauty of the Kingdom Jesus established, which is the Catholic Church Who can attend R.C.I.A.? Short answer Anyone! Everyone is invited to learn more about God and His plan for salvation in Catholicism Specifically Unbaptized adults looking into becoming Catholic (This is who RCIA is primarily for) Baptized non-catholics looking into becoming Catholic Baptized Catholics who have not received either 1 st Holy Communion or Confirmation Anyone curious and wanting to learn more 1
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Terms Inquirer: unbaptized person who has not gone through Rite of Acceptance Catechumen: unbaptized person who has been gone through the Rite of Acceptance Candidate: baptized Christians not yet Catholic Elect: catechumens after Rite of Election Neophyte: newly baptized R.C.I.A. Process Period of Evangelization To hear the Good News of Jesus Christ To encounter Jesus Christ & His Kingdom To get answers to your questions Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens You choose to take the next step & prepare Continuing classes Period of the Catechumenate More intense formation in the Gospel Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Election or Enrollment of Names We go to the Cathedral, the Archbishop welcomes you, you ask to receive the sacraments, and he calls you to receive them. Period of Purification and Enlightenment During Lent, more intense conversion time Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation Period of Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy Understanding what happened & how to live it My Hope for You in R.C.I.A. To Know & Encounter the Love of God To Know & Encounter Jesus Christ To Find Your Place in the Kingdom of God & His plan for your life To See How AMAZING Catholicism is To learn the Truths that will set you Free To connect to other Catholics who want to support you in the crazy world So Many Religions According to the World Christian Encyclopedia there are over 10,000 distinct religions in the world Is There Truth? 150 religions have more than a million members There are about 33,000 Christian denominations, which one is right? How do you know which one is right? 2
Does God Is There Revelation? Really Exist? Is Jesus Really God? Did Jesus Start the Catholic Church Five Key Questions Is there Truth? Does God Exist? Is there Revelation? Is Jesus God? Did Jesus start the Catholic Church? Is There Truth? 3
Why Does Truth Matter? If religion is just a matter of opinion, then we should believe whatever we want. But if we can know the truth about God, religion, and how we are to live then that s important and we need to follow the truth. Life s most important questions need answering and those answers need to be rooted in truth and not just guessing or opinion. What is Truth? Truth is when our mind perceives and judges reality the way it exists; we see things as they really are. Truth is the mind s correspondence to reality Objective vs. Subjective Truth Objective Truth something is true independent of whether I believe it E.g. The earth is round, 2+2=4 Subjective Truth something is true if I believe it so (e.g. I like ice cream) What is Truth? Are Religious Truths Objective? Yes because they deal with things that exist independent of us. God exists whether we believe in Him or not. Our belief doesn t make God exist. How can matters of faith be objective? We believe this stuff because it is true. Our faith is rooted in truth, in things that exist and really happened in history, not opinion Faith isn t contrary to reason but involves trust in God and in His Revelation which is true for everyone at all times. False Theories of Truth Relativism everybody has their own truth. Another way of saying there is no truth Response: Is it true for everyone that everyone has their own truth? Self-referentially inconsistent to say it is true that there is no truth Agnosticism / Skepticism you can t be sure about anything Response: are you sure about that? False Theories of Truth Pragmatism / Utilitarianism what works is true E.g. the greatest good for the greatest number or if it feels good, do it Response: a form of consequentialism where you would have to be God to know all of the consequences effects before determining if something worked Danger of not understanding why something is really working (e.g. evil spirits at work) Response: what standard do you use for determining what works Falls back into relativism / subjectivism False Theories of Truth Minimalism Let s just focus on the essentials and not argue about all of the details Begs the Question what are the essentials? The Trinity, Salvation, Sacraments, Morality? Every group disagrees on the essentials Unity at the expense of truth is not real unity and it won t hold together. We don t have to avoid the tough issues We want to receive and believe all that God has spoken to us 4
Finding the Truth The truth doesn t conform to us, we conform to the truth. Seeking the truth is not about finding what works for you but finding the truth of how things really work We shouldn t be a member of a religion simply because it agrees with us, but because it is the truth. Catholicism is not Burger King it s not your way right away What is the Meaning of Life? Why do I exist? What is my purpose? Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing with my life? How can I find real happiness? What am I made for? Worldly Answers Do whatever makes you happy? Pleasure / Fun Money Important Job Fame / Celebrity Possessions Romance We were made for more We are searching for more than this world can provide Infinite truth and goodness Looking for something to give our lives to For something that will fill our hearts A love that satisfies We are searching for The Meaning of Life is to live in communion with God St. Augustine of Hippo You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you. 5
To me you shall be sacred; for I, the Lord, am sacred, I who have set you apart from the other nations to be my own. Leviticus 20:26 CCC #27 The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for. Gaudium et Spec #19 The dignity of man rests above all on the fact that he is called to communion with God. This invitation to converse with God is addressed to man as soon as he comes into being. For if man exists it is because God has created him through love, and through love continues to hold him in existence. He cannot live fully according to truth unless he freely acknowledges that love and entrusts himself to his Creator. The Meaning of Life To know, love and serve God in this life and be with Him forever in heaven. To live in supernatural communion with God in this life and forever in the next. To be radically filled with God s own life and love and to live radically for Him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 How can we have supernatural communion with God? 6
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is the union of God and man who died for our sins and rose from the dead to bring us communion with God. Jesus is alive! He is risen! My Lord and my God! John 20:28 Jesus started the Catholic Church to bring the graces of His salvation to the world. My Encouragement for You Pray, Pray, Pray Ask the Lord to draw you to His Heart, to help you believe and understand, and help you to encounter His love Study and Ask Questions the Catholic Church has the answers Go to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day If you are struggling, talk with a priest All in RCIA to receive sacraments, need to meet with a priest soon, preferably before November Attending a Catholic Mass Guide for Responses in Front of Hymnal Give yourself time to adjust Formed.org Programs Lectio Eucharist (10 part series) Symbolon Living the Faith Part 2 & 3 Biblical Walk Through the Mass by Edward Sri St. Joseph Missal Children s books on the Mass Daily Roman Missal St. Justin Martyr in 155AD On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits. When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves...and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation. When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. 7
St. Justin Martyr in 155AD Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks that we have been judged worthy of these gifts. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.' When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent. For More Information www.catholicscomehome.org www.strangenotions.com www.sttheresechurch-aurora.org If you miss a class, watch online and do the homework please www.catholic.com www.ewtn.com www.formed.org www.youtube.com/user/frmatthartley ascensionpresents.com Our Father Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. 8