1. Called to Holiness
Following Jesus

2. Living as a Disciple Vocation: Our Call to Holiness
Set apart to do service for God
Discernment: the process of determining what God wants us to do. It is achieved through prayer, study, scripture reflection and discussion.
Say “Yes”
Live a morally good life
Be a person of prayer
Reveal God’s love through service, social justice

3. How to Follow Jesus
Evangelical Counsels: Practices over and above the adherence to the commandments and precepts of the Church
Poverty
Chastity
Obedience
Beatitudes
Guidelines for living in holiness and for happiness
Works of Mercy
Corporal works
Spiritual works

4. Jesus Reveals God’s Call to Us
The Sermon on the Mount
A collection of Jesus’ teachings on many important topics
His parables
Short stories about everyday life that offer the listeners a challenge to a conversion in their thoughts and actions.
Jesus and the Rich Man (Mk. 10: 17-22)
Rethink priorities, detach yourself from the wealth of this world and attached yourself to the “wealth” of the next.
Commandments
The Mosaic Law, “Ten Commandments”
The Great Commandments, “The Law of Love”
The account of the Last Judgment
Preferential treatment of the poor
Works of mercy

5. The 10 Commandments
I am the LORD your God you shall not have strange Gods before me.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain
Remember to keep holy the LORD'S Day.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
You shall not covet your neighbor's goods
God
Others

6. The Sermon on the Mount The Beatitudes
Guidelines to live by
Enhancement of the Ten commandments, not a replacement for them.
Teachings on prayer, almsgiving and fasting
All are important practices
Perform them in private, between you and God
Teachings on various other practices of the times
Expects more than what has been done
“The commandments say…but I tell you…”

7. Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice‘ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

8. Jesus’ teachings Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount Beatitudes
Guide for happiness
Beyond the minimum requirements of the Ten commandments
Other teachings
Marriage and divorce
Anger and revenge
Fasting, prayer, almsgiving
Do it without looking for merits
Be humble

9. Evangelical Counsels Poverty Chastity Obedience
Avoid putting undue value on material things and wealth
Chastity
Integrate sexuality in to our total person. We are physical, emotional, intellectual, social, moral and spiritual persons in addition to sexual.
Dress, speak, act, think in a modest way.
Obedience
Obey God and official authority

10. Mary, the Model of Discipleship
Faith
Be an example of faith by trusting in God and living the way He asks us to
Obedience
Obeying God, the Church, parents and authority, civil law, etc.
Chastity
Living in a way that does not give undue importance to things of a sexual nature, especially in thought, words, dress, and action
Poverty
Lived in a manner that is detached from material things.
Humility
Act in a way that shows that you understand and acknowledge the fundamental dignity of all humans.
“Theotokos”
Carry Jesus in your heart and reveal Him to all people.
Faith
Devout Jewish woman
Obedience
Fiat , said YES to God’s plan for her
Chastity
Lived a chaste life as did Joseph her husband
Poverty
No focus on material wealth or goods
Lived simply
Humility
Did not see herself as anyone special or above anyone else
“Theotokos”
The bearer of God to all

11. Praying, Fasting & Almsgiving
Prayer
Conversation with God
Keeps our relationship with God alive
Helps us to bring that relationship to communal worship and strengthens our bond with the whole Church
Fasting
Sacrificing to join Jesus in his sacrifice. Used as an act of repentance.
Almsgiving
A form of social justice that helps those who are in need obtain those rights that are just because of their inherent dignity.
Keep it between you and God

12. Seek the “Kingdom of God”
A condition of complete surrender to God’s will and a state of love, peace and justice
Matthew 13: 44-52
Hidden treasure, Pearl
“Sell all that you have to obtain it”
Net
Separation of good and bad
Old & New
Listen to the old and the new
Jesus did not come to do away with the old law but to fulfill it

13. Love
Matthew 22: 34-40
Of God
Love God above all, with all your soul and all your mind
Of neighbor
Love your neighbor as you love yourself
The whole Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets depend on these Two Commandments

14. Works of Mercy Physical Spiritual Feed the hungry Share knowledge
Give drink to the thirsty
Shelter the homeless
Clothe the naked
Care for the sick
Help the imprisoned
Bury the dead
Spiritual
Share knowledge
Give advice to those who need it
Comfort those who suffer
Forgive those who hurt you
Correct those who need it
Pray for the living and the dead
The account of the Last Judgment (Mt. 25: 31-46)

15. Aids to Holiness God provides help to strengthen us
Teachings and example of Jesus
Intellect
Helps us to see and understand the natural order God has created
Helps us weigh decisions and evaluate outcomes toward good moral choices
The Natural Law
Free will
Allows us to act on those choices
Resist evil
Grace
God’s supernatural gift that helps us respond to his love and restore us to original holiness and justice
Helps us to ask for forgiveness

16. Aids to Holiness Self-reflection The Church
God given ability and responsibility to engage in self-reflection. We need to look into our hearts and examine the choices we have made and listen for an follow the voice of our conscience.
a God given sense of the Law of God
Formed and driven by Divine Law
The Church
God’s greatest gift to us in living holy lives
Sacraments unite us to Christ and provide the gifts and guidance of the Holy Spirit
Members give us strength and support on our journey
Provides the opportunity for prayer, education, community and service