Section 3 The Church’s Salvation and Mission Part 1 The Church and Salvation

The Fullness of Truth and Salvation God loves all people and “wills everyone to be saved.” It is through knowledge of the truth that we are saved. The truth is in Jesus Christ as a representation of God’s love and his plan for our salvation. God has entrusted the truth to the Church and the Church has the obligation to proclaim the truth to the world.

The Fullness of the Church of Christ The fullness of Jesus Christ’s Church is found only in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is the only Church that fulfills the four marks and who’s leaders are in communion with Christ. The fullness of the Church includes: The fullness of Revelation, which is transmitted through the Scriptures and Tradition The fullness of the Sacraments The fullness of the ordained ministry

The Church is Necessary for Salvation Christ is the one path to salvation and he is present to us in the Church. The Church is a physical organization through which Jesus communicates his grace, truth, and salvation. Jesus joined the Church in Baptism in order to be saved. (Mark 16:16) (John 3:5) A sacrament is a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. The Church is the Sacrament of salvation because through the Church we come to know God and be saved. Jesus is a Sacrament as a visible sign of God’s presence in the world.

Salvation for Those Outside the Church God desires that all people be saved. Salvation in Christ is possible for people who are not Christian. If people, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but nevertheless sincerely seek God, and, moved by God’s grace, try to do God’s will as they know it in their conscience, they may still be saved. Their salvation is only known to God alone.

Grace Outside the Church Saving grace is also available outside the Church. It still comes from Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works through non-Catholic churches and religious communities to offer salvation to their members. Ex. If someone in a Christian church was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Catholic Church recognizes that Baptism as valid. However the fullness of Christ’s grace has been preserved in the Catholic Church.

The Church’s Continuing Mission Even though salvation is possible outside the Church, the Church still has the sacred duty, and the right, to preach the Gospel to all people. This obligation came from Jesus himself. The Church’s missionary efforts should help to lead us to the goal of Christian unity. Includes a respectful dialogue with non-Christian religions Penn Jillette Receives a Bible

Who Needs Organized Religion? God desires that we know him in all aspects of our lives. The Scriptures and Tradition, though, teach us that God wishes to be worshipped by people joined together in communities, not just by isolated individuals. Each one of us is created to live in community and to build relationships. We cannot attain true happiness in isolation. Our social nature is a gift from God; therefore, it is one essential reason why God saves us by calling us together as one group, the Church. The goal of salvation is the communion with God and unity among all people.

Communal and Individual Worship The liturgy unites us with not only Christ and the Church on earth but also the worshippers in Heaven. We also need to worship God through our own individual devotions.

Section 3 The Church’s Salvation and Mission Part 2 The Church and the World

Engaging the World The Church has the responsibility of looking at the particular circumstances of each generation and of interpreting them in the light of the Scriptures and Tradition. The Church must apply the Gospel message to the issues each generation faces. The Church must adjust its way of speaking to each generation. The essential Gospel message does not change, but it requires wisdom and thought to understand how it applies to particular issues.

Engaging Modern Culture The Catholic Church has a responsibility to be active in the modern world. Must use latest technologies and cultural developments One of the most pressing issues that Church must work to transform in the world is what Pope John Paul II called the “culture of death”. Ex. Abortion and euthanasia The Church is firm in promoting a culture of life. Effort to educate people to have a profound respect for the sacredness of every human life.

The Church and Politics The Church’s mission also extends to political issues. Regardless of the separation of church and state, the Church has a responsibility to bring Christian values into the public debate on various social, political, and economic issues. The Church does not advocate for specific political candidates, but addresses specific issues that affirm or counter the Gospel message. A pressing issue is the value and dignity of every human life. The Church works to address poverty and environmental issues.

The Church and Evangelization Evangelization is the primary way the Church accomplishes its mission to help all people come into communion with God. Evangelization is proclaiming Christ both by our words and by the witness of our lives.

The Church and Evangelization Three situations in which the Church is to evangelize today: Cultures, communities, and groups where Christ and the Gospel message are not known to where the people lack the ability to adequately proclaim the faith Where there are active and vibrant Christian communities Where individuals or groups who have been baptized in the faith no longer actively live the faith or consider themselves members of the Church(re-evangelization)

Examples of Evangelization The laity are called to lead the evangelization mission of Jesus Christ. Married couples can evangelize within the family by witnessing the faith and love of Christ to one another and to their children. Young people can evangelize other young people by the witness of their lives. Being truthful or living a chaste life Religious orders, like the Franciscans and Dominicans, form missions in areas around the world. Serving the poor or acting as models of holiness

Elements of Evangelization Boldness and respect Christians should respect religious freedom and local cultures but should not be afraid of proclaiming the truth of Christianity Technological developments Christians must have the willingness to use the latest technologies in proclaiming the Gospel. Commitment to personal holiness Reaching out to people of all ages

Sister Helen Prejean Youth Forum 2011