Gospel In The Rosary Bible Stories Informed By Roman Catholic Worldview

Roman Catholic Worldview In the Philippines The following are some of the major issues that represent major religious core beliefs of traditional Roman Catholics as surveyed within the Philippine setting.[1] [1] These worldview beliefs are the result of interviews, observations and formal surveys conducted by the J.O. Terry between 1967 and 1985.

Worldview As these worldview beliefs were isolated and revised as the evidence dictated, each items was checked with other research conducted in the Philippines by anthropologists, sociologists and even Roman Catholic theologians.

Worldview Also, during this period, these worldview issues were checked and verified by at least four priests and nuns who were educators in Catholic schools and who monitored beliefs within the Roman Catholic church in the Philippines to stay abreast of the status of belief among the young and older Roman Catholic parishioners.

Worldview Philippine anthropological and sociological research from 1964 through 1987 confirmed the existence of these views as a common core of beliefs or habits found in Filipino Roman Catholics of various devotional levels.[1] [1] Numerous researchers continually researched the Filipino worldview such as Father Lynch and Dr. Jaime Bulatao, a Jesuit priest and professor at Atenao University in the Philippines.

Worldview This set of core Roman Catholic beliefs are for use: 1) as an illustration of identified worldview topics or issues; 2) in worldview training sessions; and 3) as a starting point in researching more accurately and more specifically Roman Catholic core beliefs among a specific people group.[1] [1] These topics include only religious core beliefs that are typical of, or common among, Roman Catholic-oriented individuals within the people group where the original research was conducted.

Worldview In ministering to peoples who live in a Roman Catholic religious and cultural setting, or any religious and cultural setting, one should identify the core worldview beliefs and practices resulting from their core beliefs, religious and social.

Worldview Following worldview identification, the worldview core beliefs should be used to guide evangelizers in choosing Biblical stories or contextual passages that speak adequately to each of the worldview issues.

Worldview To the degree that a witness speaks to a peoples’ core beliefs, especially when those core beliefs are contradictory to core Biblical teachings, then to that degree the witness must confront the contradictory beliefs with positive Biblical understanding.

Worldview If that does not happen, or if such a witness does not result in reorienting their belief system, syncretism will be the end result even if conversion occurs.

Selected Core Beliefs 1. Mary was immaculately conceived and born, thus bringing her into the world as a baby protected from original sin. Thus, Mary was immaculately conceived just as Jesus was which assists Roman Catholics in seeing Mary as sinless as Jesus.

Selected Core Beliefs 2. Flowing out of the immaculate conception view concerning Mary, in practice at least, if not verbally or doctrinally, Mary is seen as part of the Godhead. Seeing her in this way represents her as “theotokos” (God- bearer).

Core Beliefs 3. Mary, being seen as part of the Godhead by many Roman Catholics, especially women, makes her part of the channel for individuals to approach Jesus to gain from him what they want. In numerous parts of the Philippines there would be signs saying: “Go To Jesus Through Mary.”

Core Beliefs 4. Sacraments are available to Roman Catholics as seven channels through which God’s grace flows to the Roman Catholic faithful. Five sacraments are essential for salvation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction Two are not: Marriage, Ordination

Selected Core Beliefs 5. Sacramentals are objects or actions that aid Catholics in practicing their faith. Icons of the church, and especially those within Roman Catholic Church buildings or grounds are believed to have healing power that comes to individuals who pray through or to them, or to those handling or kissing them.

Selected Core Beliefs Saying “the Rosary,” or even physically rubbing and kissing the crucifix on the rosary can bring God’s protection during a crisis.

The Rosary For centuries, the use of the Rosary has assisted many people in their prayer and devotional life. The Rosary is believed to have originated through a coalescence of popular devotions from the 12th century onward. By 1573, an official feast was declared and the Rosary was made a part of the Roman Catholic Church’s liturgical life.[1] [1] [1] Reynolds R. Ekstrom, Rosemary Ekstrin, Concise Catholic Dictionary, Mystic, Ct: Twenty-Third Publications, 1991, 131. [1] Reynolds R. Ekstrom, Rosemary Ekstrin, Concise Catholic Dictionary, Mystic, Ct: Twenty-Third Publications, 1991, 131. [1]

The Rosary Rosary beads are used to aid in counting the prayers without distraction. Generally, the Rosary is begun with the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, three Angelica Salutations, and one Glory Be. The Rosary is a form of mental and vocal prayer centered on mysteries (or events recalled from the lives of Jesus and Mary).[1] These Mysteries are divided into three categories: Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious. [1] [1] Felician A. Foy, editor, Catholic Almanac, Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, Inc, 1992, 325. [1]

The Rosary The Joyful Mysteries include: The Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus to Mary; The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth; The Nativity of Jesus; the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and The Finding of Jesus in the Temple.

The Rosary The Sorrowful Mysteries include: The Agony of Jesus in the Garden; The Scourging at the Pillar; The Crowning with Thorns; The Carrying of the Cross; and The Crucifixion and Death.

The Rosary The Glorious Mysteries include: The Resurrection of Christ; The Ascension of Christ to Heaven; The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, The Assumption of Mary, and the Coronation of Mary.[1] [1] In this book we state that we will include only the mysteries that are clearly recorded in the Bible, therefore, the last two are not included.

The Rosary In 2002 Pope John Paul II sent an Apostolic letter stating his desire for the Rosary to be more “Christo-Centric,”[1] He then proposed the “Luminous Mysteries” which include: The Baptism of Jesus, The First Miracle at Cana, The Proclamation of the Gospel, The Transfiguration, and The Eucharist. We have included these our book, Gospel in the Rosary. [1] [1]. Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II. father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/dkocuments/hf-ii_apl_200….” [1]. Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II. father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/dkocuments/hf-ii_apl_200….” [1] [1]

The Rosary These mysteries mentioned above form the core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul gave a concise definition of the content of the Gospel he received from Christ: “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures;” (1Corinthians 15:3-4).

The Rosary In his discourse at Pentecost (Acts 2), the Apostle Peter also presented a concise explanation of the Gospel when he spoke about the death of Jesus (v. 23), the resurrection of Jesus (vv.24-32), the ascension of Jesus (v.33-36), the coming of the Holy Spirit (v.33; 38; 39), and the salvation that people can receive by repenting of their sins and placing their trust in Jesus as their Savior (v.38).

The Rosary The Gospel, therefore, is the Good News that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, went up to heaven, and sent his Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. If we place our trust in Jesus, we will be forgiven of all of our sins, experience his presence in our daily lives, and go to heaven with him when we die (John 14:1-3).

The Rosary Gospel in the Rosary focuses on the Bible portions that describe the Mysteries of the Rosary. In each of these Bible studies, therefore, there will be opportunities to meditate on the significance of the lessons of these Mysteries for our relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Search the scriptures, because you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf” (John 5:39).

The Rosary May the blessings of God be upon you as you diligently study his Word.

The Rosary I. THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES The Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus - Luke 1:26-38 The Visitation of Mary with Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-56 The Nativity of Jesus - Luke 2:1-20 The Presentation of Jesus - Luke 2:21-38 The Finding of Jesus in the Temple - Luke 2:51-51

The Rosary II. THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES The Baptism of Jesus - Luke 3:1-22 The Self-Manifestation at the Wedding in Cana - John 2:1-11 The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God - Mark 1:15;2:3-13 The Transfiguration of Jesus - Luke 9: The Eucharist - Luke 22:7-20

The Rosary III. THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES The Agony in the garden - Matthew 26: The Scourging at the Pillar - Matthew 27:25-26 The Crowning with Thorns - Matthew 27:28-29 The Carrying of the Cross - John 19:17-18 The Crucifixion and Death - Luke 23:45-46

The Rosary IV. THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES The Resurrection of Our Lord - Luke The Ascension of Christ into Heaven - Luke 24 and Acts 1 The Descent of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2 The Return of Christ - Acts 1 and Thessalonians 4

The Rosary V. THE MYSTERY OF MYSTERIES The Loving Father - Luke 15:11-24 The New Birth - John 3:1-16 The Proper Relationship with God - John 4:1-26 The Final Destiny - Luke 16:19-31