The Trinity: The Central Mystery of Our Faith Christology - Theology 1-B Notes – February 15, 2017 Document # TX001185

Christology = The Study of Jesus Christ. Notes – Christology = The Study of Jesus Christ. To understand Jesus Christ, we need to understand the Trinity.

Jesus is part of 2 Families: Notes Jesus is part of 2 Families: His Heavenly Family - The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit. Jesus is The Son in this Family. His Earthly Family - Jesus, Mary, Joseph.

The Heavenly Family of Jesus is His Family from All Eternity. Notes The Heavenly Family of Jesus is His Family from All Eternity. Open your Bible to Luke 2: 41-52

• What’s going on in this picture? (Notes: Ask the students to reflect on Rublev’s Trinity Icon. Encourage discussion by asking the students some or all of the following questions: • What do you see? • What’s going on in this picture? • What do you see that makes you say that? • How would you feel if you were in this work of art? • What is the symbolism? Make a final comment that the icon is full of symbolism to draw the viewer deeper into the mystery of the Trinity. This discussion is possibly an opportunity for YawnBuster Point of View. For more information on Rublev’s Trinity Icon, go to www.wellsprings.org.uk/rublevs_icon/rublev.htm.) Image in public domain

Introduction to the Trinity – Notes What is monotheism? the belief in and worship of only one God began with the Covenant between God and Abraham grew through Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants Image in public domain

Introduction to the Trinity - Notes We share our belief in this one God—and our commitment to monotheism—with Judaism and Islam. Image in public domain

Introduction to the Trinity - Notes Catholic Christians pray “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This may lead some to think that Catholics worship three gods, not one. Catholics have always affirmed the truth that God is one. “I believe in one God” (Nicene Creed). (Notes: Ask the students the following questions: • Where do you hear the Nicene Creed? • How often is it recited? • Why is it recited at every Sunday Mass? Point out that the Creed summarizes the importance of the Trinitarian mystery of faith.)

The Trinity - Notes What is the Trinity? comes from the Latin trinus, meaning “threefold” refers to the central mystery of the Christian faith mystery—God exists as a communion of three distinct and interrelated Divine Persons:

Notes Trinity Diagram

The Trinity - Notes The Holy Trinity is a unique and defining trait of Christian faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Trinity is the Church’s “most fundamental and essential teaching” (234) and the central mystery of our faith, which only God can fully reveal to us.  (Note: Invite the students to explore this concept of mystery. Solicit answers about what a mystery is.)

The Trinity - Notes What is a mystery? A mystery is something that is beyond human understanding. In theological terms, a mystery is a specific doctrine (doctrine = teaching) revealed by God that is beyond full human understanding.

What do the mysteries of our faith require? Trust and faith The Trinity - Notes What do the mysteries of our faith require? Trust and faith Trust: confidence in someone or something Faith: belief in and loyalty to God (Notes: You may want to explore these two concepts, trust and faith, through a brief discussion. Ask the students to explore these questions through class discussion or in their journals: • How is trust developed? • In whom or in what do you have trust? • In whom or in what do you not have trust? Why?)

The Trinity - Background Many images and analogies throughout our Church’s history have tried to bring clarity to this mystery of faith. Background - According to legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. How does the shamrock represent the Trinity? © 2009 Saint Mary’s Press/Illustration by Vicki Shuck  

The Trinity - Background Many images and analogies throughout our Church’s history have tried to bring clarity to this mystery of faith. Background - Artists throughout time have attempted to explain the mystery of the Trinity. How does this painting by the artist El Greco explain the Trinity? © image in public domain

The Trinity - Background Many images and analogies throughout our Church’s history have tried to bring clarity to this mystery of faith. Background - How can you explain the Trinity with three intersecting circles?

The Trinity - Notes The concept of the Holy Trinity is also expressed in the Scriptures: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Corinthians 13:13).  

The Trinity - Notes The doctrine of the Trinity is part of Sacred Tradition. The doctrine was clarified and taught by several of the early Church councils. First Council of Nicaea (AD 325)—adopted the original Nicene Creed to explain that Jesus is truly God First Council of Constantinople (AD 381)—revised the Nicene Creed to assert the Holy Spirit’s divinity and place in the Trinity. This Creed is the one we know today. Council of Ephesus (AD 431)—reaffirmed the Nicene Creed’s teaching that Jesus Christ is both human and divine in one nature Council of Chalcedon (AD 451)—reasserted the full divinity and full humanity of Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity

The Trinity - Background The doctrine of the Trinity distinguishes Christianity from other monotheistic religions unifies mainstream Christians

The Trinity - Notes With every prayer we pray and every sacrament we celebrate, we act in the name of this Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

(Notes: Encourage the students to reconsider this image of the Trinity from the beginning of the presentation. How has their understanding of the mystery of the Trinity grown through this presentation? Invite them to reflect on this question in their journals, or conduct a class discussion. Sharing their reflections may be a nice way for them to exit the class, or it may serve as an opportunity for a closing prayer.) Image in public domain

Father Barron on The Trinity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMI4rA4cuiM

Fr. Mike Schmitz on The Trinity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNXrHhD1HMk

Bob Rice on The Trinity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHF-y84rgIM

Blue Bible Textbook Assignment

If you have the blue The Living Word eBook - Read Chapter 12 - The Gospels on pages 182 - 191. Answer questions 1-5 on page 191. Don’t write questions, only answers. Read Chapter 13 - Revelation in and through Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels on pages 192 - 213. Answer questions 1-9 on page 213. Don’t write questions, only answers. Read Chapter 14 - Revelation in and through Jesus in the Gospel of John on pages 214 - 227. Answer questions 1-7 on page 227. Don’t write questions, only answers. DUE ON TUESDAY FEB. 21, 2017.

If you have the paper Blue Bible Textbook - Read The Gospels pages 156 - 164. Answer questions 1-5 on page 164. Do not write the questions, just answers. Read Revelation in and through Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels on pages 165 - 183. Answer questions 1-10 on page 183. Don’t write questions, just answers. Read Revelation in and through Jesus in the Gospel of John on pages 184 - 195. Answer questions 1-7 on page 195. Don’t write questions, just answers. DUE ON TUESDAY FEB. 21, 2017

Begin quietly reading the Gospel of Matthew

Teen Timeline Lesson #7 - Notes Jesus and the Gospels: The Messianic Fulfillment

Opening Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be like you in all ways. Help us to see your love for sinners, beginning with ourselves, Lord. Give us your love for the outcast, the forgotten, the unpopular, and the needy. Lord, show us what it truly means to love, to give of ourselves, and to sacrifice for the good of others. Mother Mary, pray with us, and always lead us back to your Son, Jesus. Holy Spirit, open our minds and our hearts to all you want to share with us through your Living Word. Amen.

Time Period Covered – Messianic Fulfillment Notes Time Period Covered – Messianic Fulfillment Where We Are On the Journey – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Opening Question – How well do I know Jesus? Verse to Remember – Luke 9: 23

Notes The angel visits Joseph three times in his sleep The first miracle that Jesus performs is changing water into wine at the wedding of Cana; his Mother is the one who asks him to perform the miracle by bringing the situation and request to the Lord During a year of Jubilee, Jesus cancels debts and sets the captives free In Matthew Chapter 16 Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom A tabernacle by definition is a dwelling place / a “tent”

Answer the following questions in your notes 1. What do you think would have been more difficult, being Mary or being Joseph? Explain in one sentence. 2. What things are your friends and classmates most in need of Christ’s healing for in their lives? Give two examples. 3. Why do you think Jesus would entrust his Church to the leadership of sinful men such as Peter? One sentence. 4. Why did Jesus give us the Holy Eucharist? One sentence.

Answer the following in your notes How well do you know Jesus? This is not a question based upon facts but upon faith. It’s not about saving information in your head but about having your soul saved by Jesus, the Head of the Body. Answer the following questions in your notes – 1. What color are Jesus’ eyes when you look into them? 2. Is there any gray in His beard? 3. What does His voice sound like? 4. What do His hands look like? 5. Describe His smile. 6. What is He wearing when you pray to Him?

Write the following terms in your notes 1. Mary 2. Joseph 3. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John 4. Jubilee 5. Peter 6. The Last Supper 7. One Holy Catholic Church 8. The Eucharist 9. Jesus 10. The Holy Spirit 11. The Passion 12. Messianic Fulfillment

Match one of the following Definitions with one of the Terms A. Portrait of Discipleship B. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist C. Angel comes to him three times when he is asleep in the Scriptures D. The Advocate E. Authors of the Gospels F. Where Jesus fulfills the promise made in Genesis G. The sign of God’s Covenant, the New Covenant H. Portrait of Sacrifice I. A year when all the debts are forgiven and all the slaves are set free J. The Covenant with God and the World K. “You are the Christ, the son of the living God” L. The Eleventh Time Period in the Bible