The Mission of the Church Chap. 13 The Mission of the Church

I. Founded by Christ A. Jesus himself laid the spiritual foundation for the Church. B. Evidence found in Gospels that Jesus wanted his followers to continue His Mission to bring about the Kingdom. C. Jesus provided basic structure for the Church: Peter = main leader (Pope) Apostles = leaders (Bishops)

II. The Mission of the Church A. Church means convocation—a gathering of people who have been called together by Jesus. 1. Therefore Church = people called by Jesus to continue His Mission 2. Mission is to proclaim the Kingdom of God; the Good News that through Jesus we can overcome sin and death and restore our relationship with God.

II. Mission . . . cont’d. B. Church is both the means and the goal of God’s plan. 1. Means = the way we witness to Jesus and his message. 2. Goal = with the Holy Spirit’s aid the Church (people) live together so as to make the Kingdom of God real. C. Church = sacrament of salvation because it is both a sign and a cause of God’s grace.

II. Mission . . . cont’d. D. Church = mystery that is at once both visible and spiritual. 1. visible—buildings, Pope, Bishops, practices, etc. 2. spiritual—Holy Trinity at work to save and make holy the whole human race.

III. Scriptural Images of the Church A. People of God (Exodus) 1. Early Christians still considered them- selves Jewish—continued to see themselves as the “chosen people of God.” 2. The Church is not limited to a particular race, culture, or political group. 3. All races and cultures are called to be members, recognizing the unity we share as children of God.

III. Scriptural Images . . . cont’d. 4. We enter this family through faith and Baptism. B. The Body of Christ (1Corinthians) 1. Image of a body = Church; Jesus is the head, all parts are necessary. (1Cor 12:15-17) 2. New Testament also refers to the relationship between Christ and the Church like the relationship between a husband and wife. Also the “bride of Christ.”

III. Scriptural Images . . . cont’d. C. The Temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor) 1. St. Paul said “we (Church) are God’s Temple and the Holy Spirit dwells in you.” 2. Therefore the Holy Spirit is present in the Church. 3. Holy Spirit is source of Church’s life, unity, gifts, and charisms

IV. The Marks of the Church A. One: Church is one in that we share beliefs: 1. We are all children of God. 2. We are all saved by Jesus, His Son. 3. We are all made holy by the Holy Spirit. 4. We are unified by the leadership of the Pope. 5. There is diversity in our unity.

IV. The Marks of the Church, cont’d. B. Holy: we strive to be: 1. United with God. 2. Spiritually perfect 3. Free from all sin and evil 4. Our holiness not yet perfect 5. Saints are examples of those people who have lived especially holy lives.

IV. The Marks of the Church, cont’d. C. catholic—universal/comprehensive 1. Founded directly on God’s Revelation in Jesus passed on from Apostles through unbroken line of bishops. 2. Universal—Church’s mission is open to the whole human race. D. Apostolic 1. Church is founded on the Apostles; passed on to Pope and college of bishops.

IV. The Marks of the Church, cont’d. D. Apostolic 2. Principle of Infallibility—when speaking definitively on issues of faith and morality—the pope and bishops in unity with him are infallible (incapable of error). The Holy Spirit guides them to speak the truth without error.

We are the Church . . . The Body of Christ . . .what part are you?

Saint John XXIII (1881-1963) Pope from 1958-1963 Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli to a family of peasant farmers in Italy Announced new Ecumenical Council – the Second Vatican Council – which brought much change to the Church His encyclicals addressed issues of Church unity, social justice, world peace, human rights