Marks of the Church. Timed Round Robin Go around in a circle. Each person shares for 20 seconds Do not go to the next person until the time buzzes Name.

Marks of the Church

Timed Round Robin

Go around in a circle.Each person shares for 20 secondsDo not go to the next person until the time buzzes

Name a mark of the Church and say what it means.

One• Rooted in the unity of the Trinity

– Unity is not threatened by diversity but marked by true peace

– Disturbing true peace and unity = distance from Christ• Must be one b/c Jesus came to restore unity b/t men

and men w/ God• The true Church subsists in the Catholic Church which is

governed by the pope and the bishopstrue Church – the same one est. by Jesus and entrusted to Petergoverned by pope, etc… - successors of Peter (to whom the Church was entrusted) and the apostles

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Role of Formal structures in “One”• Existence underscores the importance of

unity• Makes unity visible in our daily lives• Enables us to be united by common

profession of faith • Common worship – especially in

sacraments

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Unity Conformity

• Catholic encompasses wide variety of cultures and ways of being Catholic– 7 non-Roman ecclesial traditions in union with Rome:Armenian Byzantine Coptic EthiopianEast Syrian (Chaldean) West Syrian Maronite

• Essence is the same, form is different

• Does not cause us to lose our identity calls us to develop our individuality while maintaining our commitment to unity

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Wounds to Unity

1. Heresy- any belief that opposes, deviates from, or rejects established tradition or dogma. Example: Arianism

2. Schisms- the rupture of ecclesiastical union and unity. Example: Great Schism (11. c.)

3. Apostasy-A complete and voluntary rejection or abandonment of the religion or faith. Example: Julian the Apostate

Towards Unity

Ecumenism – refers to the desire and initiatives to reestablish communion amongst the different sects of Christianity.

-Christ deeply wants his disciples to be unified.-The fullness of Christ’s Church subsists in the Catholic Church and hopes for a

reconciling of all Christian sects.

Ships and Sailors1. Go West: All must run to their right. 2. Go East: All must run to their left.3. Mop the Deck: All must quickly pretend to mop the deck.4. Captain's Coming!: Everyone stands at "attention" (in a salute), DO NOT

move until you hear: "At Ease!" 5. Man Overboard: Sailors must find a partner. One person drops to one knee

the other stands behind them, puts a hand on their shoulder. Both scan the ocean for the overboard man.

6. Three Men Eating: Sailors are to form groups of three and sit at a pretend table while pretend eating.

7. Four Men Rowing: Sailors are to form groups of four and sit in a row on the floor. They are to swing their arms as if they are rowing.

8. Walk the Plank!: Five people stand in a single file row hands on the shoulders of person in front of them

HolyWhy?• The body of Christ HOLY! (the holy one of God/

Israel)• The HSp dwells within

• OT concept: God’s holiness was only made known to those who drew close enough to be made holy (sanctified) not a barrier– Those who were sanctified were changed, set a part

for the task of expressing the holiness of God– Early on: Christianity understands itself as Judaism

fulfilled.9

Role of the Church• Assembly est. by Christ to continue Christ’s

presence and work now that he is not physically present

• Partner (bride) of Christ in bringing the K o’G to birth

• Reveal to the world that everything was changed by the incarnation and continues to be different b/c he is present in the HSp

• Reveal the God of love soul of holiness = love

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Holy perfect

We have and will continue to obscure holiness but that doesn’t change what we’re meant to be!• Some people have done horrible things in the

name of the Church/ with Church support• We as individuals have failed

Fortunately….• In every age there have been people in the

Church who showed tremendous love – they’re what we’re called to be

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Kingdom of God Perfect

Kingdom of God Church

Church Perfect Church Sign and reality of

the Kingdom of God

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Relationship of Church to Kingdom

• Kingdom of God broke into history through the Incarnation– Barrier between human and divine destroyed –

forever united• Jesus established the Church and proclaimed

the coming of the kingdom• Church is the focal point of the kingdom on

earth but NOT its fullness– We are in an “already but not yet” reality

How does the Church Support Holiness?

#1 Moral teachings of the Churchpractical directions on how we ought to live as a community set apart by our call to be the body of Christ

#2 Evangelical counsels and those who live themVows of Chastity, Poverty and ObedienceLived by those who seek to belong completely to God in service of the Kingdom because they are how Christ lived.

#3 Sacraments (most important!!!!!)All make present the action of Christ and make him present. A concrete expression of holiness. Have the power to change people and build the Church

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Thinking Thursday

You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.2. An old friend who once saved your life.3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Knowing that there can only be one passenger in your car, whom would you choose?

Solution

The old lady of course! After helping the old lady into the car, you can give your keys to your friend, and wait with your perfect partner for the bus.

Catholic

A little Greek…– “Universal”– “In totality”– “In keeping with the whole”

A little English: used as a proper noun to refer to the Church in union with the pope, the bishop of Rome.

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Interesting Fact

The Church started calling itself Catholic in order to distinguish itself from heretical groups – especially Gnostics.

Gnostics claimed to have secret knowledge and as a result denied the goodness of creation and the humanity of Christ.

In defense of the orthodox teaching we relied on a broad base to refute the teaching…hence in keeping with the whole

Later we used the name in a broader sense to talk about the universality. 18

The Universal Element• Christ came for salvation for all• Christ established the Church to be the universal sacrament of

salvation. • The Church is the means to salvation for all people and for all

time!– Salvation is found in the truth – Hence… the Church’s missionary mandate to “make disciples of all

nations” making salvation through truth accessible to all people.• Continues the mission of Christ as his body while being lead by the HSp.

• Salvation is found in the Church the Church is necessary for salvation– All who recognize and understand this are obligated to live within the

Church. To knowingly reject the body of Christ is to knowingly reject God – apostasy (bad!!!!!)

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What about non-members of the Church?!

The Catholic Church maintains that Baptism is necessary for salvation.Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ, the Church. Therefore only baptized members of the Church can have salvation.

HOWEVERUndoubtedly, God in His infinite mercy and power can extend salvation to those not baptized but live lives of Goodness and Truth (the Gospel) are indeed saved. (i.e. infants before baptism, those who have not heard the Gospel.)

Are Non-Catholics Saved?

• Again we must remember God’s unlimited mercy and power.

• God is Truth, the Roman Catholic Church subsists in the fullness of that Truth, other religions in some and certain ways come to know Truth (aka God) and therefore are a part of the Church!

Church: Necessary for Salvation

• Salvation is comes to the world through Jesus• Jesus began and remains present in the Church• Therefore…the Church is necessary

“outside the Church there is no salvation” extra Ecclesiam nulla salus

• Harsh?– All who recognize that the Church = the Body of Christ are called to

be a part• To reject the Church is to reject the Body of Christ is to reject salvation

(Bad idea!)

– People who do not know Jesus or the Church are NOT rejecting him

In Keeping with the whole…Of Revelation

• Scripture – the written word of God in human words

• Tradition – the teachings of the apostles and the understanding and witness of Christianity– Like a relationship … develops with time– The RCC says the way our understanding has deepend

of what God has revealed throughout all generations is important because the Holy Spirit has been active throughout and we’re not free to disregard him.

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PLAY TELEPHONE!!!

Apostolic

• Greek: apostolos “one who is sent”

Jesus was sent from God,Jesus sent the apostles to transform the world

• Our identity and purpose exist in our mission.

• The nature of the Church is apostolic – if we cease being apostolic, we cease to be the Church…we’d just be a group of people

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Ways we are faithful to our apostolic Nature

#1 Recognizing that the Church is built on the foundation of the apostles sent by Christ we point to Jesus as the source and point of everything we do!

#2 Living in a manner that follows the guidance of the HSp and remains faithful to the foundation est. by the apostles and scripture.

#3 Accepting guidance through the successors of the apostles (bishops)

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Apostolic Succession

• Grew in importance as Christianity rapidly grew and spread

• A “quality control” of sorts as:1. The original apostles died and the work became to great

2. Less than orthodox teaching spread – it answered the question of who spoke with the authority of Jesus and who would decide who was right.

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Apostolic Succession Today

• Bishops can trace their succession• Practically speaking: no bishop may teach

anything contrary to what has been passed down by his successors.

• A form of protection – keeps us from being too swayed by what is less than holy

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So why the pope?

• He is the “perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity of the bishops and the faithful”

• Keeps us strong and independent• Maintains unity• Continually reminds us of what/who we

are called to be

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The Great Commission

As Disciples of Christ, members of the Church, under the guidance of the Pope and Holy Spirit we must respond to Jesus’ call:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 [

a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew28:18-20

Church as culmination of Salvation History

• Salvation History – story of God’s action in human history

• Original plan from the beginning: humans able to share in the divine life

• Through Church– Invited into relationship with the father – he won’t

abandon us…contrary to his plan!– We are co-creators through use of talents– Live the covenant– We are the body of Christ on Earth