CH 12: A House Built on Rock

Luke 6:46-49 The Two Foundations -

Psalm 62: 6-7 My soul be at rest in God alone; from whom comes my hope. God alone is my rock and my salvation; My fortress; I shall not fail. My deliverance and honor are with God, My strong rock; My refuge is with God. Trust God at all times my people! Pour out your hearts to God, our refuge!

How is the Church your rock? Reflect – stop and jot

The Gates of Hell shall not prevail! From the earliest days of the Church, it has been under attack – first from Jewish leaders, then the Roman Empire, then other pagan and Muslim empires

Christianity illegal in the Roman Empire Rome recognized any religion that pre-dated the founding of Rome. Jews, and the first Christians (part of Jewish heritage) were protected under Roman Law of tolerance until 90 AD - 90 AD - split between Christians and Jews - *Christians barred from synagogues - *Christianity seen as a “new religion” = illegal - *Christians forced to worship Roman gods and emperor or be persecuted

Martyrs “The blood of the martyrs are the seeds of the church.” Tertullian, 1 st Century priest from Carthage (Africa) Lived from 155 to 222 AD. Modern day Tunisia

Persecution by Nero AD 64 – Nero – Roman Emperor Prejudiced against Christians Saw Christians as a threat Blamed them for problems in the empire “scapegoats” Wide-spread persecution. Also responsible for destroying the Jewish temple Peter and Paul were martyred under Nero’s orders

Roman Persecution AD St. Perpetua and Felicity and companions Diary of St. Perpetua Early 20’s Nursing an infant May have been widowed Water jar – by no other name Felicity was a slave 4 catechumens died Martyred March, 203 AD

Persecution by Diocletion Began in AD 303 Wanted to eliminate Christianity Bishops wrote letters to strengthen the communities * Ignatius of Antioch – still have his writings * Bishop Cyprian – martyred The Holy Spirit protected and inspired the Church – Gates of Hell shall not prevail!

Why were Christians persecuted? They were different. They did not go to public games – bloody, violent sports. Secret meetings (mass and worship) Refused to offer incense and adore Roman gods Studied Jewish scripture, but also told stories of Jesus and read letters from St. Paul, Ignatius of Antioch, and other Church leaders

A time of peace and prosperity The Church thrived through the mystical body of Christ – its faithful members, lead by the pope, bishops, priests, and deacons, in spite of persecution by the Roman empire. Constantine, a Christian convert and Roman Emperor, was concerned about the division between Christians and others in the Roman empire. Constantine’s Edict of Milan 313: Made Christianity equal to all other religions. Ended official persecutions against Christians from the state. Christianity grew into the official religion of the Roman Empire until its fall in 476 AD

How are Catholics different today? By virtue of our baptism we are called to holiness. We live in the world, but are not OF the world. The Catholic faith/Catholic Education is about GOODNESS BEAUTY TRUTH

Current worldly attacks on God’s Law: Sanctity of Marriage Dignity of Human Life (Abortion, Euthanasia) Unchaste Chastity is a virtue – a virtue is a good spiritual habit! Social Justice

Vocabulary Heresy – a religious belief that opposes or denies any divinely revealed Truth of the Catholic Church. Poverty – a vow taken by religious men and women to live a simple lifestyle and to give up control of material possessions. Hermit – a person who lives alone to seek God through prayer, silence, and penance Monk – a man who lives a life of prayer and takes vows such as poverty, chastity, and obedience; usually he lives in a community with other men. Ecumenical council – a meeting of all the bishops of the universal Church.

Life for some early Christians We are called to “uproot” sin in the world; Make the Kingdom of God present to the world Some became hermits and monks  St. Anthony of Egypt  eats very little,  lives in silence and solitude

Early religious communities Offer their life as a sacrifice to Christ Lived by common rule Vows of chastity, poverty, obedience Lived simply Lived together, prayed together

Heresy False teaching coming from within the Christian community. A heretic is someone who teaches or believes false teaching. Heresy is teaching error after the Church decides they are in error. Excommunication – if a Church leader continues to preach heresy after corrected.

Arian Heresy Priest named Arius convinced many people that Jesus could not be fully human and fully divine at the same time. He thought Jesus was a creature created by God, but not God himself Read John 5:18, John 10:30, John 14:9-10.

Council of Nicaea Called by Constantine to refute Arian Heresy 325 AD Every Catholic bishop was invited, so it was an ecumenical council. Ecumenical means universal Discussed the Arian Heresy. Developed the Nicene Creed to teach and correct misunderstandings St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Athanasius, Basil

Council of Constantinople 381 AD Continued work of Nicea to fight the Arian Heresy. Built on the Nicene Creed to add the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

Council of Ephesus 431 AD Fought Nestorian Heresy Confirmed Jesus is one divine person, not two Mary is the Mother of God

Early Church Fathers Relied on Scripture and Tradition to separate God’s Truth revealed by Jesus from teachings that were just personal opinion. Relied on Teaching Authority of the Church and the Holy Spirit to interpret God’s Revelation. Explained the message of Jesus, wrote letters, preached homilies, wrote books about the faith, defended the Gospels.