THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP Catholic Digital Resources presents . . . THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP Creation ~ Original Sin ~ Baptism ~ Holiness © 2007 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources – catholicdr.com

Q: What was God's first creation on our earth? Creation, Original Sin, and the Call to Holiness Q: What was God's first creation on our earth? Nature - Read Genesis 1:1-25 God created… earth's rotation around the sun water sky / atmosphere land vegetation / food animal life In other words … God's first revelation of himself was natural – “in nature”. God still reveals himself by natural means…. How?

Q: What does “redeem” mean? Creation, Original Sin, and the Call to Holiness Read Genesis 1:26-30 God reveals himself through humans. We are brothers & sisters to Nature. St. Francis of Assisi is well known for teaching this. How well do we take care of Nature? “Fill the earth and subdue it” does not mean abuse it and destroy it. Nature is redeemed by the same Redeemer that we are. Q: What does “redeem” mean? A: Trading something of lesser value for something greater.

Q for group discussion: How does nature reflect our love for God? Creation, Original Sin, and the Call to Holiness When we love God and imitate Christ, we reveal God's goodness to others. When we love Nature and take good care of her, Nature reveals our goodness and our love for God. Q for group discussion: How does nature reflect our love for God? Since God reveals himself through the relationship between man & woman… Q: How does marriage reflect our love for God? Marriage is sacred because the union between one man and one woman reveals God's unity with us.

Q: What was the center of natural paradise? A: The Tree of Life. Creation, Original Sin, and the Call to Holiness Read Genesis 1:31 “God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.” He created Paradise. God's original plan for us was to live in Paradise. Read Genesis 2:4-9 The Garden of Eden is the name given to the earthly (natural) paradise. Q: What was the center of natural paradise? A: The Tree of Life. Q: What does the Tree of Life represent? A: Divine Life ….. Death does not exist. Q: What's the other tree of importance? A: Knowledge of good and evil. Q: What does this tree represent? A: Perfect knowledge: God's all-knowing nature.

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Q: Who was the "Second Eve"? Creation, Original Sin, and the Call to Holiness Eventually, God became one of us, born in the flesh like us, to be a “Second Adam” choosing always to listen to Father God, obeying him always, never sinning. He took our death upon himself: The Cross His divine life conquered death: The Resurrection Original Sin no longer affects us. We now have access to the Tree of Life. Q: Who was the "Second Eve"? A: The Blessed Mother of Jesus.

Q: How does Christ's life get "into" us? Creation, Original Sin, and the Call to Holiness Q: How does Christ's life get "into" us? A: Baptism Q: Can we lose eternal life after being baptized? A: Yes! The remainder of our lives have to be spent staying close to Jesus, imitating him, following him, so that his divine life within us rules us and guides us. Q: Is Jesus your Savior? A: Yes, always. But ­ is Jesus your Lord? That's up to you!

I want You to be my Savior and the Lord of my life. Creation, Original Sin, and the Call to Holiness Let’s pray … Yes, Jesus, I want You to be my Savior and the Lord of my life. Reveal Your Love to me more than I've ever experienced it before. Bring Your Love into every part of my life. I am sorry for all the times that I have divided myself from You. Please transform me into someone who can fully live in Your Life and in Your Love. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!