The Church: Is One, Holy, Catholic, & Apostolic Section 2: The Church: Is One, Holy, Catholic, & Apostolic
Section 2, Part 2: The Church Is Holy
Introduction How is the Church distinct from other organizations who do good works Eyes of faith reveal: Human & divine element; created by God Instrument of salvation; Holy Spirit dwells in her; gifts Holiness is real but imperfect until the end of time Dependent on God’s grace; Church through members can respond to grow The saints, especially Mary, are models & intercessors for us 5 Articles (A. 20) – Why is the Church Holy (A. 21) – The Church Makes us Holy thru God’s Grace (A. 22) – The Communion of Saints (A. 23) – The Saints: Models & Intercessors (A. 24) – Mary: Perfect Model of Holiness
Article 20: Why is the Church Holy? Apparent problem of Church’s holiness Solutions Two natures of the Church Visible elements of holiness in the midst of sinfulness Invisible elements of holiness Mission always carried on by the divine/invisible perfect Bride of Christ Analogy of a tapestry Gifts (= means) of salvation What Freedom to choose to take advantage of Call to holiness--love Who, where, when, to what? Real & present, but imperfect & future
A. 20: Why is the Church Holy cont. Solutions continued Holiness & sinners Parable of weeds & wheat on social & individual level Analogy of the Church as a doctor Our twofold response—Repentance & Conversion (second) Practical steps toward conversion & against peer pressure Prayer & reflection Choose friends Guard your senses Church history: look at visible elements of holiness Health care—hospitals (624) Education/knowledge—monasteries & schools Arts--patrons
You Tube Videos: The Church is Holy Pope Francis: The Church is Holy Bp. Barron: Gifts of the Church
Homework Section 2, Part 2 review questions #’s 1-2 Read AA. 21-22 in the e-book for discussion tomorrow Looking ahead: 2.2 Homework Monday 2.2 Quiz Tuesday
Article 21: The Church Makes Us Holy through God’s Grace “Be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5) Possible or crazy Perfect in holiness not without fault Holiness = grace + human effort (conscious/intentional not automatic) Grace Natural or supernatural? Effects of? What comes first, grace or nature/freedom? Magic or effort? Sanctifying—is habitual but can be lost through mortal sin Actual (virtue or vice) Sacramental Charisms (vocational graces of state & others) JPII’s Purification of Memories (2000 ad Jubilee) Grace is stronger than sin but needs a kick start
Ken Yasinski: All is Grace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STBV8pakvnU
Article 22: The Communion of Saints Latin “sancti” & “sancta” Communion of holy people = 1 Church Church Triumphant Church Suffering (Purgatory) Church Militant Communion of holy things Sacraments (esp. Eucharist) Sacramentals Communion is always being built up or destroyed—love or hate Relationship that extends throughout time, space, & creation Holy Spirit breaks down boundaries to unite people through things Spiritual benefit of modeling & intercession (tomorrow) = veneration Make the prayers of the saints our own—Catherine of Siena Eucharistic liturgy as an example for daily life
Pope Francis: Communion of the Saints https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOLYUWDa3rM
The Word Exposed: Communion of Saints https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb1M37mQuIs
Homework Section 2, Part 2 review questions #’s 3-6 Read AA. 23-24 in the e-book for discussion tomorrow Looking ahead: 2.2 Homework Monday 2.2 Quiz Tuesday
A. 23: The Saints: Models & Intercessors Canonized saints vs. holy ones of the Church Cardinal Jose Martins (Saints) “Eloquent sign & fruit of holiness & the face of XT” Modern models of holiness amidst difficulties Sts. Athanasius, Kolbe, JPII, Mother Teresa, etc… Intercessors Veneration, not worship Direct line? Then why? Patronage, feast days, & examples—Anthony, Blasé, Teresa, Valentine = show humanity Saints in the liturgical year Jesus & Mary first, then others—living Paschal Mystery—why? Basis in Scripture & Tradition for hope in connection Revelation, Theresa, Dominic, … Your connection to the saints?—inspire, teach, help Baptismal names, Confirmation, general attraction, family history, residence, … St. Aloysius Gonzaga became a saint because of saints
Catholic Answers: Intercession of the Saints https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL0xba7gP4c
Busted Halo: You Don’t Know Jack: Saints https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1-eZjWeRUnw
A. 24: Mary: Perfect Model of Holiness Why is Mary a perfect model of holiness? So many names? Role of her individual life in the plan of redemption Goal of every serious Christian—here & then Mary as a namesake but not Jesus? “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum” (Lk. 1: 38) Perpetual yes to the cross & beyond—docility = essence of XTN Theotokos or Christotokos? Immaculate Conception & Perpetual Virginity Assumption/Dormition Mother of the Church and our mother in the order of grace (co-redeemer, mediator, advocate, helper, benefactress) Evidence from Scripture & Tradition—Acts, Irenaeus, Jerome, … Mary: The New Eve—disobedience & death to obedience & life
Ken Yasinski: On Mary Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGgL49-Zh74 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7efrngY1QCI
Catholic Answers: Tim Staples: Praying to Mary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6OwlfNwc9A
Homework Section 2, Part 2 review questions #’s 7-10 Study for the Section 2, Part 2 Quiz (AA. 20-24) Tuesday Make sure the Section 2, Part 2 review questions #’s 1-10 are ready to turn in Monday