© 5/2/2013, Jeffrey Bame – Content of this presentation may not be used without explicit permission.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 14: 23-29): Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

“City on a Hill: The Church in the Modern World”  Cornerstone Vatican II document: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World: Gaudium et Spes  Date: December 7, 1965  City on a Hill: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

Pop Quiz Question 1: All Christians have a universal call to ________?

Pop Quiz Answer: Christians have a universal call to holiness.

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

1. Human Dignity and the Search for Truth  Man is created in the image of God and is tasked with subduing the earth and having dominion over it (Gen 1:27-28)  From the beginning man abused his freedom and “set himself against God” – man “served the creature rather than the Creator” (Gaudium et Spes 13)  “Never before has man had so keen an understanding of freedom, yet at the same time new forms of social and psychological slavery make their appearance.” (GS 4)  Freedom is pursued but used wrongly as a “license” to indulge selfish and sinful desires (GS 17)

1. Human Dignity and the Search for Truth  With sinful nature and confused freedom, many can’t identify permanent values and thus are burdened with uneasiness (GS 4)  Practicality/efficiency vs. moral conscience (GS 8)  Man’s own law vs. conscience (GS 16)  Conscience summons man to love good and avoid evil  Conscience is a natural law written by God and man will be judged accordingly

1. Human Dignity and the Search for Truth  Modern man constantly searches outward for meaning and for answers  “He plunges into the depths of reality whenever he enters into his own heart; God, Who probes the heart, awaits him there, there he discerns his proper destiny beneath the eyes of God.” (GS 14)  “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” (Augustine, Confessions 1,1)

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

2. Anti-Religious Sentiment  More than ever, there is a momentum towards denial of the existence of God in personal belief and in most disciplines (philosophy, art, politics, history, etc.) (GS 7)  Religion rejected for many reasons (GS 10 & 19)  The desire for self-empowerment and fulfillment  “a fallacious idea of God”  Theodicy issue (the problem of evil)  The failure of Christians to live out the Gospel

2. Anti-Religious Sentiment  Thus, many now argue that religion enslaves man and prevents his liberation by distracting him with delusions  This “delusion” hinders human progress and the perfection of the earthly city  “Consequently when the proponents of this doctrine gain governmental power they vigorously fight against religion, and promote atheism by using, especially in the education of youth, those means of pressure which public power has at its disposal.” (GS 20)  Temptation to protect personal rights by exempting man from divine law leads to “annihilation” of the dignity of man, not its protection. (GS 41)

Pop Quiz Question 2: How many books are there in the Bible?

Pop Quiz Answer: Total: 73 Old Testament: 46 New Testament: 27

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

3. Role of the Church in the Modern World  Mission of the Church  To carry forth the work of Christ, who came to rescue, not to judge, and to serve, not be served (GS 3)  To guard the heritage of God’s word (GS 33)  To increase the size of God’s family during the present history until the Lord returns (GS 40)  The Church is charged with “the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel.” (GS 4)

3. Role of the Church in the Modern World  Hindrances to the Church  Weakness/sinful humanity of her members (GS 43)  Temptation to worldliness – “when the Church becomes worldly…the Church is a weak Church, a defeated Church, unable to transmit the Gospel…” (Homily of Pope Francis on April 30, 2013)  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

3. Role of the Church in the Modern World  While sin ultimately comes from pride and selfishness, economic, political, and social tensions provide opportunities for man to sin in new ways (GS 25)  Christ did not give his Church a mission in politics, economics, or the social order, but gave Her a religious mission – yet inherently this spills over into the worldly arena in helping to apply divine truth to human order and to work to alleviate suffering (GS 42)  Ultimately, to combat atheism and secularism (and evil), the faith must penetrate the entirely of the human existence – Christians must live lives of faith, not just an hour each week at Mass (GS 21)

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

4. Marriage and Family  Marriage is “primary form of interpersonal communion” (GS 12)  Marriage and conjugal love ordered to procreation and raising of children, sprung from the fruitfulness that comes from conjugal union (GS 48)  God invites man to share in his creative work through matrimony (GS 50)  Marriage works for sanctification of couples (GS 48)  The family is the basic unit of the Church and society – the family brings the Church and Christ to the world (GS 48)

4. Marriage and Family  The health of society (and individuals) is linked to the health of marriage and family (GS 47)  Families and children need a father and a mother – each has an indispensable role to play (GS 52)  Plagues of family life: polygamy, divorce, “free love”, worship of pleasure, birth control (GS 47)  Life must be protected from the moment of conception against abortion and infanticide (GS 51)

4. Marriage and Family  “All those, therefore, who exercise influence over communities and social groups should work efficiently for the welfare of marriage and family. Public authority should regard it as a sacred duty to recognize, protect and promote their authentic nature, to shield public morality and to favor the prosperity of home life.” (GS 52)  SUMMARY: The Church CANNOT support the redefinition of marriage - the sacrament of marriage between one man and one woman, leading to a complementary union that leads to the procreation and raising of children, and ultimately towards sanctification, is the very foundation of the Church and society.

Pop Quiz Question 3: What are the four ways in which Christ is present in the Mass?

Pop Quiz Answer: The Word The Eucharist The Priest The Congregation (The Church)

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

5. Politics  The Church is not bound to any political form or system of government or politics (GS 42 & 76)  The Church affects change by teaching in faith and charity – not by political force (GS 42)  Political community exists for the sake of the common good (GS 74)  Political systems exist to work towards the fulfillment of basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, etc.) and rights (right to state of life, to a family, to education and employment, to reputation, to privacy, to conscience, and to religion (GS 26)  Abuse of power and discrimination are condemned

5. Politics  The Church “does not place her trust in the privileges offered by civil authority”  Will even give up rights if they conflict with ability to bear witness  “at all times and in all places, the Church should have true freedom to preach the faith, to teach her social doctrine, to exercise her role freely among men, and also to pass moral judgment in those matters which regard public order when the fundamental rights of a person or the salvation of souls require it.” (GS 76)

5. Politics  People oppressed by government should “render unto Caesar” but also have the right to defend their rights against abuse (GS 74)  Principle of subsidiarity – dangers of excessive power (GS 75)  Do not take responsibility out of hands of individuals and families and social groups by giving it to government (GS 75)  Those who have a talent for politics should use these gifts for the good (GS 75)

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

6. Economics  Danger of being consumed by economic ways of thinking (GS 63)  Man has a right to a sufficient share of earthly goods – men (and Church) are obliged to come to the aid of the poor and not just out of comfortable surplus (GS 69)  Man has a right to private properly/ownership of goods – it provides an autonomy necessary for the proper exercise of human freedom and also gives incentive for work (GS 71)  The scandal of wealth – people and even nations with wealth cannot sit by idly while parts of the world suffer terrible poverty (GS 88)

Pop Quiz Question 4: How many popes have there been in the history of the Church?

Pop Quiz Answer: Pope Francis is the 266 th pope.

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

7. The Dignity of Human Work  Work brings dignity to man – while providing for self and family, society is benefitted as well (GS 34)  Man should work for income but also for contribution to society or world  Man is more precious for what he is than what he has (GS 35)  Social advances worth more than technological and economic advances – technology can provide material for human progress but never achieve it (GS 35)  Importance of a Living Wage (GS 66)

7. The Dignity of Human Work  Immigration Reform (GS 66-67)  Immigrants should have opportunity to work and contribute to society  Society/government should help them to achieve decent housing, employment, and the relocation of their families  Immigrants should be incorporated into society so that both parties benefit

7. The Dignity of Human Work  Importance of Leisure (GS 67)  Rest & Relaxation  Opportunity to cultivate family life, social involvement, and religious devotion  Opportunity to “freely develop energies and potentialities which perhaps they cannot bring to much fruition in their professional work.”

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

8. War & Peace  Peace is not merely the absence of war or the balance of power between enemies, nor forced peace through dictatorship (GS 78)  Peace comes from the pursuit of justice & charity  Peace “must be built up ceaselessly”  Governments cannot be denied right to legitimate defense once means of peaceful settlement are exhausted (GS 79)  Difference between defense and subjugation/aggression (GS 79)  Total War and Arms Race condemned (GS 80-81)

Pop Quiz Question 5: What is the Book of Nature?

Pop Quiz Answer: The idea that God has revealed himself to us in His creation – we can see God through nature.

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

Pop Quiz Question 6: What are the four cornerstone documents of Vatican II?

Pop Quiz Answer: Lumen Gentium (The Church) Dei Verbum (Divine Revelation) Sancrosanctum Concilium (Liturgy) Gaudium et Spes (The Church in the Modern World)

B. Review: The Church Cornerstone Vatican II Document: Dogmatic Constitution on the Church – Lumen Gentium  Mystical Body of Christ (Lumen Gentium 8)  We are a pilgrim Church (Lumen Gentium 8)  The Church is the means of salvation (Lumen Gentium 14)

B. Review: Divine Revelation Cornerstone Vatican II Document: Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation– Dei Verbum  One Deposit – Scripture & Tradition (Dei Verbum 10)  Development of Canon (Dei Verbum 8)  Inspiration & Interpretation (Dei Verbum 11)

B. Review: Liturgy Cornerstone Vatican II Document: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy – Sacrosanctum Concilium  Liturgy as the act of unity (Sacrosanctum Concilium 10)  “The liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flow.”  Active Participation (Sacrosanctum Concilium 14)  Organic Development of Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium 23)

B. Review: The Papacy  Roman Pontiff is “perpetual and visible source and foundation of unity” (Lumen Gentium 23)  Roman Pontiff has “supreme and universal power over the whole Church” (Lumen Gentium 22)  Papal infallibility – Vatican I

B. Review: Faith and Reason Encyclical Document of John Paul II – Fides et Ratio  Fide quarens intellectum – faith seeking understanding (Anselm – Proslogion)  No conflict between faith and reason – they cannot be separated (Fides et Ratio 16)  Intellectual tradition of the Church

B. Review: The Church in the Modern World Cornerstone Vatican II Document: Pastoral Constitution On The Church in the Modern World – Gaudium et Spes  Role of the Church (Gaudium et Spes 42)  Duty of Individual Christians (Gaudium et Spes 43)  One cannot fail to carry out worldly responsibilities  One cannot compartmentalize religion and worship vs. regular life  “Laymen should also know that it is generally the function of their well-formed Christian conscience to see that the divine law is inscribed in the life of the earthly city.”

Tonight’s Outline A.The Church in the Modern World 1.Human Dignity and the Search for Truth 2.Anti-Religious Sentiment 3.Role of the Church in the Modern World 4.Marriage and Family 5.Politics 6.Economics 7.The Dignity of Human Work 8.War & Peace B.Core Messages from Vatican II and Year of Faith Series C.Divine Mercy Chaplet

© 5/2/2013, Jeffrey Bame – Content of this presentation may not be used without explicit permission.