Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church Solemnity of All Saints Transfiguration of November 1, 2020 Jesus Pastor Rev. Randy Gonzales, CICM Our Mission +1-910-665-1530 (Office) To love and know more profoundly our Catholic +1 -919-710-0486 (Cell) faith, worship the Lord, minister to our members [email protected] and to further spread our faith in the community. transfigurationofjesusparish.org The Pope's Monthly Intention: November 2020 Deacon We pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may Deacon Mike Vandiver +1 -910-271-4444 always serve humankind. Bookkeeper JoAnn Booz +1-910-441-0810 Daily Mass Schedule Mon. 9 AM Tue. 5 PM Vespers Communion Service Wed. 7 PM Mass Magnolia Adoration Thur. 9 AM Fri. 9 AM Mass Schedule During Pandemic Revelation 7:2-4,9-14: John describes his vision: those who have endured the trials worship the Lamb. Sat. 5 PM (Eng) 7 PM (Spa) Psalm 24:1-2,3-4,5-6: Those who seek the face of the Lord shall be Sun. 8:30, 10:00 (English) rewarded. 11:00 AM (Spanish) 1 John 3:1-3: We are God's children now. 4:00 PM Sta. Clara Spanish Matthew 5:1-12: Jesus teaches what it means to be happy. Adoration Thursday after mass until 6 PM Background on the Gospel Reading Reconciliation Every year the Church recalls the example, witness, and prayer of the Thur. after 9AM mass holy women and men who have been identified by the Church as Saints. Sat. 4:00 PM These saints are more than just role models; they are family members or by appointment with whom we continue to share relation, in a bond of prayer, called the Communion of Saints. Every year when we celebrate this day, the Gospel Office Hours Mon. 9-12, 4-6PM we proclaim recalls for us Jesus' teaching about happiness, the Tue. Day-off Beatitudes. We quickly note in this reading that none of those Jesus Wed. 9-12 names as “blessed” or “happy” are expected . the poor in spirit, the 4-6PM Magnolia meek, the persecuted. Jesus' blueprint for happiness reflects little of what Thur. 9-12, 4-6PM Fri. 9-12, 4-6PM the world might call happiness. What does Jesus mean when he uses the word “blessed?” This word is Mass Intentions and Mass Cards sometimes translated as “happy” or “fortunate” or “favored.” In other Donna Schulz 910-285-0711 words, Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, who Parish Council mourn, who are persecuted. This might have been welcome and Julia Bryant 757-759-4951 surprising news to the crowds who heard Jesus that day. Chairperson The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Finance Council Because of this, it is natural that we proclaim this Gospel on the Feast of Mark Hopkins All Saints. Saints are people who lived the spirit of the Beatitudes as ChairEvents This Week Jesus lived. On this day, we too are challenged to model our lives on the Hispanic Ministry spirit and promises of the Beatitudes. Luis Galan – Coordinator https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/ Mass Intentions Saturday, Oct. 30: Pro Populo This Week’s Activities Sunday, November 1 Faith Formation (First Communion) Monday, November 2 Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (9:00 AM Eng.) Conmemoración de Todos los Difuntos (7:00 PM Sta. Clara) Bible Study (9:45 -10:45AM) Thursday, November 5 Adoration (9:30 -10:30 AM) RCIA Class (6:00 -7:30 PM) Friday, November 6 Youth Program in Sta. Clara (6:00 – 8:00 PM) Solemnity of All Saints "The intercession of the saints: Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . So, by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped." (CCC 956) All Saints Day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. This feast day is a Holy Day in which all the faithful are obliged to attend Mass. It is our belief that there is a prayerful spiritual communion between those in the state of grace who have died, and those who are living. We worship God in gratitude for the lives and deaths of His saints. All saints are honored, included obscure and lesser known saints, in addition to individuals who have personally led one to faith in Jesus, such as one's grandmother or friend. The current date of November 1st for the feast of All Saints, can be traced to our patron Saint, Pope Gregory III. All Saints Day differs from All Souls Day in that All Saints are already in heaven. Commemoration of all the faithful Departed Communion with the dead. "In full consciousness of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the memory of the dead; and 'because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins' she offers her suffrages for them." Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective. (CCC 958) Catholics believe that death can separate people who they love from them for only a while. We are still united with them in the Communion of Saints. On this feast of All Souls, and throughout the entire month of November, we recall our deceased relatives, friends, and all the faithful departed who may yet be waiting for the full joy of heaven in purgatory. We pray for them, remembering that likewise these people being purified have the power to intercede us too. Activities we can do for All Souls Day: • Visit the cemetery. Some cemeteries have special sections for infants, and you might wish to pray especially here. • Go to Mass: 9:00 AM at Transfiguration of Jesus (Eng), 7:00 PM Sta. Clara (Esp) • Pray the following: Let perpetual light shine upon them, with your Saints forever, for you are merciful. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, with your Saints forever, for you are merciful. Amen. National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated November 1-7, 2020 is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. Prayer for Vocations God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth and young adults. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Prayer Tree Prayer Tree Requests should be sent to all three committee members. This is to insure that no prayer request goes unanswered. Also, please make sure that permission is given by the person or family needing prayer, to send out the request. Cheryl Partyka -- [email protected] -- 910-285-6661 Donna Davis -- [email protected] --910-285-5326 Maureen Goodwin -- [email protected] -- 240-252-9727 Thank you, Transfiguration! Your outpouring of generosity has once again been demonstrated in the baby shower gifts for Room at the Inn. Diapers, clothes, books, toys—what a wonderful collection of items that families will certainly enjoy! All these items (plus $$ also donated) will be delivered to Room at the Inn in the next week or so. Can’t wait to see their reaction! Your support of Life and Human Dignity is most appreciated. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be grounded down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal. – St. John Paul II. Important Information Parish Registration: Welcome to our parish. New members are asked to call the Parish office to register. Current parishioners who relocate are requested to inform us of your move. To update your registration information, please contact Elaine Masinick ([email protected]). If you know of anyone who is ill, bereaved, celebrating a significant event or anniversary, or just needing a cheerful message, notify Julia Bryant so she can send a card from the parish to the person or family. Julia will need the name, address, and information on the occasion in order to do so. Homebound Ministry: If you know of someone who is homebound and would like to receive the Holy Eucharist, please contact Fr. Randy or Deacon Mike. In need of a Priest: Should you have an emergency or any life and death situation that requires, a priest, call Fr. Randy 919-710- 0486 Sacraments Baptism: Parents must attend 2 preparation classes prior to having your child baptized. Please schedule an appointment with Father Randy or with Deacon Mike to discuss this procedure. Marriage: The marriage preparation program for the Diocese of Raleigh takes six months.
Recommended publications
  • The Physics of a Miracle the Post-‐Resurrection Body of Jesus from the Pers
    The Physics of a Miracle The Post-Resurrection Body of Jesus from the Perspective of Quantum Theory Pablo Bandera It has often been noted that Christianity is more orthodox than orthoprax, being concerned primarily with a doctrine of faith, and secondarily with the practice of rituals. This might seem to generally emphasize the spiritual over the physical, but Christianity does nonetheless place a clear importance on the concept of the physical body. The most obvious example, of course, is the historical existence of Jesus and the death and resurrection of His body. In this essay I wish to focus on one particular aspect of the Resurrection. More specifically, I wish to investigate the fact that Jesus was not recognized even by His own disciples only a few days after His crucifixion. There are at least three passages that refer to this lack of recognition explicitly. The first is Luke 24:13-32, which recounts the two disciples’ encounter on the road to Emmaus… “While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him” The second passage is John 20:11-18, which describes Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus in the tomb… “When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.” The third passage is John 21:1-14, which describes the encounter of seven disciples with Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias… “Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.” For the sake of brevity, I will refer to this difference in the appearance of Jesus, and the resulting lack of recognition by Mary and the disciples, as the “post-resurrection transfiguration” of Jesus.
    [Show full text]
  • The Resurrection As Christ's Entry Into His Glory (Lk. 24:26)
    Pieter G.R. de Villiers THE RESURRECTION AS CHRIST’S ENTRY INTO HIS GLORY (LK. 24:26) ABSTRACT This essay discusses some apocalyptic perspectives on Luke’s portrayal of the resurrection as Christ’s entry into his glory (Lk. 24:26) in order to point out its mystical nature. After a discussion of some recent developments in research on Luke’s Christology and apocalyptic literature, the importance of glory in Early Jewish and Christian apocalypses is discussed. This is followed by an explanation of the glory motif in Luke 24:26, its place in Luke’s resurrection account in general and in the story of the disciples of Emmaus in particular. The essay then compares the mystical use of the glory motif in Luke 24:26 with Luke’s use of glory elsewhere in his writings. It concludes with general remarks about the mystical nature of the resurrection in Luke’s writings. 1. INTRODUCTION In the episode of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-35), the resurrected Jesus, unrecognized by two of his disciples, joins them and questions them about their discussion of the empty grave (Lk. 24:17). The two, surprised at his lack of knowledge of events (Lk. 24:18), inform him about the earthly ministry of Jesus. At the end of their explanation of Jesus’ ministry and death they mention the discovery of the empty grave and the news that Jesus was alive (Lk. 24:22-24). Jesus, having reprimanded them for their unbelief, then interprets the resurrection events to them with the words, “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”(οὐχὶ ταῦτα ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν χριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ; Lk.
    [Show full text]
  • HAPPY to BE NOBODY Catalog No
    PENINSULA BIBLE CHURCH CUPERTINO HAPPY TO BE NOBODY Catalog No. 1079 Matthew 5:1-3 SERIES: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT First Message Gary Vanderet August 18, 1996 Last week I spent time gathering old photographs the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17), and the Ser- and other memorabilia from my Junior High days in mon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). preparation for teaching our Junior High students dur- The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best ing the middle hour this morning. As I browsed known of the teachings of Jesus—and probably the least through my keepsakes, I was struck by two things. obeyed. These words, which are Jesus’ description of First, I see that I’m getting old, and second, the things what he wanted his followers to be and do, are the near- that used to enthrall me are no longer important to me. est thing to a manifesto that he ever uttered. The Ser- Once I thought being successful was a goal worth striv- mon on the Mount is the best explanation, and the clear- ing for, but not anymore. est illustration, of what true Christianity is all about. In my search through my childhood mementos I Christians desperately need to know the difference thought of the children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit, the between true Christianity and the counterfeits that are tale of a toy rabbit who wanted to be more than just a so prevalent today. One man writes: “We live in a day toy sitting on a shelf. I enjoy children’s literature.
    [Show full text]
  • The Beatitudes Julia Wade Not Come to Abolish the Law
    The Beatitudes Julia Wade Not come to abolish the Law Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He portrays himself as the New Moses, as he goes on a Mt. Sinai to give his famous “Sermon on the Mount” teaching, the new and perfect law. Happy: often associated with having a “good time” True happiness is spiritual and moral, not merely emotional or pleasurable. The saints in heaven are happy because they are with God, the source of all happiness. The beatific vision: seeing God face-to-face. Matthew 5: 3-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” St. Augustine on the Beatitudes St. Augustine begins with the profound assertion that “anyone who piously and earnestly ponders the Sermon on the Mount—as we read in the Gospel according to Mathew—I believe he will find therein … the perfect standard of the Christian Life.” St.
    [Show full text]
  • The Meaning and Message of the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Ranko Stefanovic Andrews University
    The Meaning and Message of the Beatitudes in the Sermon On the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Ranko Stefanovic Andrews University The Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 5-7 is probably one of the best known of Jesus’ teachings recorded in the Gospels. This is the first of the five discourses in Matthew that Jesus delivered on an unnamed mount that has traditionally been located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum, which is today marked by the Church of the Beatitudes. New Testament scholarship has treated the Sermon on the Mount as a collection of short sayings spoken by the historical Jesus on different occasions, which Matthew, in this view, redactionally put into one sermon.1 A similar version of the Sermon is found in Luke 6:20-49, known as the Sermon on the Plain, which has been commonly regarded as a Lucan variant of the same discourse. 2 The position taken in this paper is, first of all, that the Matthean and Lucan versions are two different sermons with similar content delivered by Jesus on two different occasions. 3 Secondly, it seems almost certain that the two discourses are summaries of much longer ones, each with a different emphasis, spiritual and physical respectively. Whatever position one takes, it appears that the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew is not just a collection of randomly selected pieces; the discourse displays one coherent literary theme. The Sermon is introduced with the Beatitudes, which are concluded with a couplet of short metaphoric parables on salt and light.
    [Show full text]
  • Blessed Are You: Living the Beatitudes
    Blessed Are You: Living the Beatitudes Christopher J. Ruff, M.A., S.T.L. Blessed Are You Novo Millennio Press 1541 Old Hickory Drive La Crescent, MN 55947 www.ChristopherRuff.com Nihil obstat: Rev. Jesse D. Burish, S.T.L. Censor Librorum Imprimatur: William Patrick Callahan, OFM Conv. The Discipleship Series Bishop of La Crosse January 14, 2018 Novo Millennio Press The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is con- tained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat and impri- matur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed. Copyright © 2018 by Christopher Ruff. ISBN 978-0-9831257-7-8 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or trans- mitted in any manner whatsoever, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Excerpts from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catho- lic Church for use in the United States of America copyright © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc. - Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with Permission. Cover art: Kenneth D. Dowdy, Sermon on the Mount Used by permission. All rights reserved. Graphics and Design: Alice Andersen Socha The Beatitudes Author’s Note: eeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and Jesus proclaimed eight Beatitudes in his Sermon on Swhen he sat down his disciples came to him.
    [Show full text]
  • Gospel of Matthew Matthew 5:1-12
    Gospel of Matthew Matthew 5:1-12 The King’s Sermon – The Beatitudes The Sermon on the Mount was the greatest sermon delivered by the greatest preacher. One Sunday after church, a pastor asked his wife on their way home, “How many really great preachers do you think there are?” To which his wife replied, “I’m not sure about that, but there is one less than you think.” The Sermon on the Mount is the first of five important discourses in Matthew: • The Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7) • The Mission of the Twelve (Mt. 10) • The Parables of the Kingdom (Mt. 13) • The Childlike Nature of the Believer (Mt. 18) • The Olivet Discourse about End-Time Events (Matt. 24-25) The Sermon on the Mount became the foundation for all of Christ’s teaching and ministry. John MacArthur describes the main theme of this sermon: “This sermon is a masterful exposition of the law and a potent assault on Pharisaic legalism, closing with a call to true faith and salvation (7:13-29). Christ expounded the full meaning of the law, showing that its demands were humanly impossible (5:48). This is the proper use of the law with respect to salvation: It closes off every possible avenue of human merit and leaves sinners dependent on nothing but divine grace for salvation (Rom. 3:19-20; Gal. 3:23-24). Christ plumbed the depth of the law, showing that its true demands went far beyond the surface meaning of the words (Mt. 5:28, 39, 44) and set a standard much higher than the most diligent students of the law had heretofore realized (Mt.
    [Show full text]
  • The Beatitudes
    THE BEATITUDES “As Moses had covenanted with God by virtue of the law received on Mount Sinai, so Jesus, from a hill on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, gives to his disciples and to the crowd a new lesson which begins with the Beatitudes. … The Beatitudes are the path that God indicates as the answer to man’s innate desire for happiness, and they perfect the Commandments of the Old Covenant. We are accustomed to learning the Ten Commandments … but we are not used to repeating the Beatitudes. Let us try however, to remember them and to impress them upon our heart. … The Beatitudes are the portrait of Jesus, his way of life; and they are the path to true happiness, which we too can travel with the grace that Jesus gives us.” -- Pope Francis, General Audience – 8/6/2014 =========== Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
    [Show full text]
  • Lenten Journey, We Want to Spend Time Reflecting on the Scripture and in Prayer
    LENT, A JOURNEY TO DICIPLESHIP A PERIOD FOR PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT A PERSONAL WALK ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS Jesus himself drew near and walked with them on the road to Emmaus. The unknown stranger spoke and their hearts burned. Walk with us too! Let our hearts burn within us! Their eyes were opened when he blessed and broke bread. Let us know you in the breaking of the bread, and in every person we meet. They begged him to stay with them in the village they called home. Please stay with us. Do not leave us at the end of this day, or at the end of all of our days. #1214167v1 1858-26 1 INTRODUCTION1: Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In this year’s Lenten journey, we want to spend time reflecting on the Scripture and in prayer. We are not unlike the disciples who were accompanied by the Lord on the road to Emmaus. They reflected on the Scripture as Jesus explained it to them. And they engaged in the most formidable type of prayer known to us, a dialogue with the Risen Lord. The materials that follow are presented to you as “signposts” on your personal walk with Jesus this Lent.
    [Show full text]
  • Jesus and the Mystery of the Beatitudes
    Jesus and the Mystery of the Beatitudes Michael Patrick Barber / Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology Website: www.TheSacredPage.com / Twitter: @MichaelPBarber Ineffable Creator, you are proclaimed the true font of light and wisdom, and the primal origin raised high beyond all things. Pour forth a ray of your brightness into the darkened places of my mind; disperse from my soul the twofold darkness into which I was born: sin and ignorance. You make eloquent the tongues of infants. Refine my speech and pour forth upon my lips the goodness of your blessing. Grant to me keenness of mind, capacity to remember, skill in learning, subtlety to interpret, and eloquence in speech. May you guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to completion. You who are true God and true Man, who live and reign, world without end. Amen. (Prayer Before Study of St. Thomas Aquinas) The Sermon on the Mount “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24–26)1 “I think that whoever meditates in earnest love upon the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, found in St.
    [Show full text]
  • Transfiguration of Jesus Catholic Church Important Information
    December 1, 2013 First Sunday of Advent Transfiguration of Jesus ‘ Catholic Church Pastor Our Mission Fr. Alex González To love and know more profoundly our Catholic Faith, 910-285-1876 worship the Lord, minister to [email protected] our members and to further spread our faith in the Deacon community. Rev. Robert Price 910-285-7426 Sunday, December 1 - Sunday, December 7 Mass Schedule: Sunday Is 2.1-5 Psalm 122, Rom 13.11-14, Mat 24.37-44 Mondays -- 8:30 am Monday Is 4:2-6, Psalm 122; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesdays -- 5:30 pm Tuesday Is 11:1-10, Psalm 72, Lk 10.21-24 Wednesdays -- no mass Wednesday Is 25.6-10a, Psalm 23, Mt 15.29-37 (mass in Magnolia at St. Thursday Is 26 .1 - 6 Psa lm 118, Mt 7.21, 24-27 Clara) Friday Is 29.17-24 Psalm 27, Mt 9.27-31 Thursdays -- 8:30 am Saturday Is 30.19-21, 23-25; Psalm 147, Mt 9.35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 Fridays -- no mass except Sunday Is 11.1-10 Psalm 72, Rom 15.4-9, Mt 3.1-12 on First Fridays (at 9 am)N Saturdays at 5 pm (English) and 7 pm (Spanish) Sundays at 8:30 am Adoration: Important Information Thursday after Mass until Parish Registration: Welcome to our parish. New members are asked to call the Parish office to register. 6:00 p.m. Current parishioners who relocate are requested to inform us of your move. To update your registration information , please contact Elaine Masinick ([email protected]).
    [Show full text]
  • The Beatitudes and Moral Choices
    The Beatitudes and Moral Choices LESSON OVERVIEW Overview Jesus’ central moral discourse begins with Connection to the those famous paradoxical promises, the Catechism Beatitudes, directing the human pursuit of happiness. In the modern era, many have ӹ CCC 580 come to view the world as a subjective ӹ CCC 1716 assembly of events and ideas in which ӹ CCC 1722 there is no universal or objective reality, ӹ CCC 1723 and happiness has been relegated to the ӹ CCC 2053 eyes of the beholder. But happiness is not simply a sentiment; instead, happiness is a Essential Questions conscious decision to will the good of the Are happiness and other over self. Jesus’ love is demonstrated ӹ goodness different? Are in this: “I have told you this so that my they compatible? joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love ӹ Is Christianity simply one another as I love you. No one has a religion that aims to greater love than this, to lay down one’s life help individuals justify for one’s friends.” sadness, rejection, and injustice? ӹ Why is the human heart the central battleground Grade Level between good and evil? HS ӹ What did Jesus do to become victorious, and how is that victory Time ongoing? One fifty-minute class BIBLICAL TOUCHSTONES Do not think that I have come to abolish the law Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but the fulfillment of the law. to fulfill.
    [Show full text]