UNIT TWO The Church is Mystery

2.1 Enduring and Developing

What’s Really Catholic? Father Kelly: Believed in rules, structure and Church hierarchy. Father Dave: Believed that every person was a necessary part of the body of Christ, the Church.

Magisterium The bishops acting in unison with the pope, by virtue of their ordination. The teaching authority of the Church.

Why the Church is a Mystery Can never be fully expressed from any single viewpoint Its nature can never be grasped by the power of reason alone It holds opposites together. Human and sinful Divine and holy Visible and changeable Invisible and permanent

The Church and God’s Kingdom The Kingdom of God broke into human history through the incarnation of Jesus. Church is the focal point of the kingdom’s presence on earth. Through the Church the will of God may be most reliably known

Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church Dwells in hearts of the faithful Speaks God’s will to them Reveals God to us primarily through signs and symbols Transforms us through the power of those signs and symbols

Kingdom of God The reign or rule of God Began with the coming of Jesus Will exist in its perfect form at the end of time

RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Process through which non-Catholic adults learn about and join in full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving sacraments of Initiation

Mystagogia “Unfolding of the mystery” Period following the Baptism of adults Newly baptized open themselves more fully to the graces received in Baptism

The Church is the culmination of Salvation History From creation of the world, God has intended human beings to share in divine life. In the Church, this sharing finally becomes a reality.

Salvation History Story of God’s action in human history Refers to the events through which God makes humanity aware of, and brings humanity into, the kingdom of God Begins with the creation of the world Ends with the Second Coming of Christ

Covenant Partnership between God and humanity which God has established out of love New covenant is offered through Christ The blood which Christ shed on the cross is a sign of the new covenant

Body of Christ on Earth The depth and breadth of God’s love for humanity and trust in humanity is revealed in the establishment of the Church On Pentecost a new era in God’s relationship with humanity began

God Remains Incarnate in Church Through the Church, God chooses to be made known present and tangible. God communicates truth and grace through the Church

God Remains Incarnate in Church Church is the sacrament of salvation Points people toward God Makes God an accessible reality for them

The Church is Necessary for Salvation Salvation comes to the world only through Jesus Jesus remains present in the world through his body, the Church. The Church is necessary for salvation because Jesus is necessary for salvation

Salvation True, complete, and permanent unity with God and with one another The end goal of all creation The fulfillment of the human desire for ultimate truth and goodness Made possible by Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension.

To be Faithful to Christ, the Church Must… Reach out with compassion to everyone Challenge its own members to live as Christ lived Strive for perfection Offer God’s all-encompassing love

What is the true Church? Shares God’s healing and forgiveness with other. Places people above rules Membership in the body of Christ should be evident in a person’s priorities and behaviors Importance of doing what God would have us do.

Church as Bride of Christ One in will, one in action Christ surrenders himself to the Church Allows the Church to express his will to the world The Church surrenders itself to Christ Makes Jesus’ will its own.

The Church is Unchanging yet Developing Jesus Christ is the absolute self-communication of God to humanity. Nothing new will be revealed to us. Our understanding of Jesus and the truth, which he revealed, is constantly growing and deepening.

Role of Church as body of Christ Continue to reveal the presence of God and to lead all people to unity with the Father just as Jesus did Interpret what is going on in today’s world in light of the gospel

Three things in Church which cannot/will not change: Constitution Body of dogma Ethic

Permanent Constitution Basic form and makeup of Church Structure makes it possible for church to be church Elements in the Church’s structure which were established by Jesus Includes the presence of the hierarchy

Apostle “One who is sent” 12 men Jesus chose Given authority by Christ To teach and baptize in his name

Bishops are the successors of the apostles Jesus will continue to guide those who will succeed the apostles until the end of time Called to protect the central truths of our faith from ideas and beliefs which are not compatible with the truth revealed by Jesus

Bishop “Overseer” Successor to the apostles Head of a particular church Together with the pope exercise leadership over the universal church

Responsibility of the Magisterium College of bishops = bishops of the world Maintain continuity between faith of today and of the past Authentic teachers of the faith Hand on the deposit of faith from generation to generation

Responsibility of the Magisterium Ensure that the teachings of Christ are not dissipated or corrupted Convey messages so they can be understood

Pope Bishop of Rome Successor of Peter Highest office of teaching and governance in the Catholic Church

Magisterium Bishops acting in unison with the pope Teaching authority of the Church Authentic interpreter of scripture and Tradition Essential to the Church Established by Jesus

Tradition Doctrinal, moral teachings which have been passed on from generation to generation

Magisterium serves non-Catholic Christians Ensures that issues such as abortion, justice for the poor will be discussed in relationship to Christian faith Ensured the preservation of certain beliefs and practices many Protestant Churches had ignored for a time, but are now reclaiming

Can an individual disagree with the Magisterium? Need to make an informed decision Study, reflection, prayer, consult with others knowledgeable about Church teaching Must continue to pray for conversion and strive to form conscience in conformity with the teaching of the Church

Permanent Ethic God is unchanging, and therefore there are certain things that have always been and will always be opposed to God Certain behaviors always undermine our relationship with God and others

Permanent Ethic Moral teachings which are essential corollaries of the Church’s understanding of God revealed in Jesus

Responsibilities to the Church’s permanent ethic Impossible to be a Catholic and reject it Every Catholic is responsible for learning and embracing this ethic

Responsibilities to the Church’s permanent ethic If knowingly rejects all or part of the moral order revealed by Jesus he/she puts self outside of Catholic Church May reject interpretation of ethic in regard to specific set of circumstances and not be separated

Hierarchy Structural order of leaders within the Church Refers to all of the ordained ministers in the Church Pope Bishops Priests Deacons

Permanent Dogma Absolute truths revealed by Christ Essential to Christian faith Essence can never be changed

In Conclusion Church is a mystery because it is the culmination of Salvation history Aspects of church which do not change make it possible for Church to be the body of Christ and to function as the body of Christ Structure (constitution) Ethic Dogma