Religious Education 3

Module No. 1: The Various Names and Images of the Church

Learning Activities/Assignments:

1. Reflection
 Give your reflection regarding the Sunday Gospel. Describe the people present in the
church

Upon listening to the Gospel accompanied by the homily given by the beloved priest that celebrated
the Eucharist that Sunday, I have learned multiple lessons that I didn’t expect to have impact as to how I
would plan to live my life in the millions of tomorrows that are coming my way. Sounds a little over
stretched, right? Believe me or not I have realized and garnered such relevant information from that
short Gospel.

Basically what I have observed is that the thought that the Gospel was trying to insinuate was Test
of Faith. Out of all the disciples that have been asked who they think the Son of the Living God is, Simon
Peter, had generated such unexpected and shocking answer. Why? Mainly because he believed that
Jesus was the Messiah which in fact, in all forms, he was far from being wrong. With that I have come to
think that if you do exercise your faith, as a Christian, and if you encounter such instance like Peter did,
you will definitely come out with not just correct answer but also the answer that you really and truly
believe that is true. Moreover, as to what Simon Peter has manifested, I have been encouraged to
rightfully and morally exercise my faith in God, spread His word and most importantly live up to the
ways his Son did here on Earth.

Personally, I am guilty that my faith is very comparable to a fluctuating material or element. Why?
Primarily because during tough and hard to endure instances, I become weak and so as my faith. I tend
to forget that I have a savior and a teacher that I can freely ask for help, just right around me. My
motivation to talk to Him through prayer is also being affected. I act up as if I am alone and all I can think
of is how I can be able to get rid of that certain excruciating and faith testing instance that I am into. Not
knowing that He is always there, ready and willing to help me take away my burdens. However, as to
being blocked by that awful situation, I become angry and stubborn, even to the extent of blaming Him
with what I was facing on that specific time. But as to all of that, I have come to a conclusion that I was
wrong all along.

I acknowledge that mistake and with that, comes a change and a betterment to my Faith in him. I
have now and will always bear in mind that when I am faced with such storm I should not be able to
forget that I have a powerful God that is far from what a storm can do to me because he shall save and
help me overcome all and different kinds of circumstances in life. As to that, he is the most powerful for
me. I am proud to say that I am somehow capable of rightfully exercising my faith. However, I also and
will always make sure to never forget that I am infallible, a creature that is capable of committing
mistakes. I shall acknowledge that for it will help me distinguish what is morally right from all these evil
situations that surround me.
 I also believe that as a Christian I have a task to fulfill which is to encourage all my fellow believers in
Christ to pass and share their learnings to each other so that we can all be able to reflect from each
other’s experiences of handling and exercising one’s faith. Hence, from what I have written I hope that
with everyone who was able to read this, may you all never fail not just to attend Sunday masses or
Eucharist Celebrations but most importantly to listen and reflect from the Gospel that we are so blessed
as to how God has given it to us. May we also live up our Christian Values and conform to what our faith,
it may be changing, is and will be telling us for it will lead us closer to God. Finally, may we all never get
tired of talking to Him through prayers for He is always there to listen and guide us with everything that
we do.

2. Make a rough sketch of the façade of the church in your town in the box below. Answer the
following question under the box.
a. What is the distinguishing mark of your parish church?

I believe that the distinguishing mark of my Parish Church is its architectural design and
structure. Why? Because although we live in a small town, I can’t be more impressed of how church
leaders managed to gradually improve its design from just being a normal to an extraordinary one and
all I can say is that perhaps our Parish Church can somehow compete (even though there is no
competition between churches that exists) with other prominent and well known churches in the
country.

b. How is your parish different from other churches that you see?

Just to add to what I have mentioned as the distinguishing mark of our Parish Church, it is also
painted with such lovely and quirky pastel colors like purple, light blue and pink which I think made the
design uniquely majestic compared to what a normal church painting looks like. So yes, it is somehow
different from other ordinary built churches because it has a hint of uniqueness done by the colorful
painting on its own.

c. How many people can be accommodated in your parish church? What is the basis for your
estimate?

I do believe that our Parish Church can accommodate hundreds of people for it has a wide and large
area with 3 huge and long sitting compartments where people can sit comfortably and a huge alter
which mainly the center of the building.

3. Watch a movie showing different kinds of oldest churches structure all over the Philippines.
Give each brief history and its purpose.

San Agustin Church (1607) Parish Church of San Agustin of Intramuros, Intramuros, Manila

- is considered the oldest church in the Philippines that's made of stone. Before its stone
structure was erected in 1607, its first incarnations, the earliest in 1571, were constructed using bamboo
and nipa leaves. Built in the southern wall of Intramuros, these were eventually destroyed because of
typhoon and strong winds.

Designed by architect Juan Macias, the structure built along the intersection of Calle Real and St.
Lucia Street, later became a monastery. Construction started in 1587 and was completed in 1607, under
the supervision of Augustinian Fathers Francisco de Bustos, Ildefonso Perez, Diego de Avila, and Brother
Alonso de Perea. It has withstood many earthquakes and man-made disasters from 1645 up to the
present. This includes the British occupation in Manila in 1762, when the church and its graves were
profaned. The church was also spared during the Spanish–American War in 1898, the Japanese invasion
in 1942, and the bloody Battle of Manila.

Quipayo Church (1616), Parish Church of Immaculate Concepcion of Quipayo, Calabanga, Camarines Sur

-Established as a town in 1578 by Franciscan missionaries, Fr. Pablo de Jesus and Fr. Bartolome
Ruiz, not only is Quipayo one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, it's one of the earliest structures
built during the Spanish Regime in the region. Until now, the church stands as an enduring symbol of
Catholicism in Bicol.

This church services the parishes of Ligmanan (Libmanan), Baigon (Siruma), Calabangan
(Calabanga), and Bombon. The patroness of Quipayo is Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion. There
were also some artifacts excavated at the site of the church, which are now displayed in a museum
behind the church altar.

Majayjay Church (1649), Parish Church of San Gregorio Magno of Majayjay, Majayjay, Laguna

-This structure was originally made with plywood, which didn't last long. The version of the
Romanesque church of Majayjay we see today is 200 feet long, 56 feet wide, and 54 feet meters high.
One of the most noticeable things about it is the façade—not only does it have three levels, but each
level is scaled proportionally. Atop the highest level is a triangular pediment with a circular window. As
one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, it contains antique images of saints, reliquaries, and
century-old liturgical objects.

Pililla Church (1673), Parish Church of Saint Mary Magdalene of Pililla, Pililla, Rizal

-The first missionary priests arrived in Pililla in 1572. Franciscan priests ordered that a church be
made, and the natives managed to build one made from bamboo and cogon in 1583. Another structure
of palm trees was used from 1670 to 1673, before the current stone structure was erected in its place.
Pililla Church is the fourth oldest church in the Philippines. The church was built to pay tribute to St.
Mary Magdelene with a small retablo housing the image of the saint inside the baptistery.

Baras Church (1686), Parish Church of Saint Joseph of Baras, Baras, Rizal

-The Franciscans originally built the church in 1595. After Aetas burned down the town as an act
of rebellion, the town was transferred to Ibayo in 1636; it returned to its present site in 1682. The
Jesuits administered the parish from 1616 to 1679, and the present church was completed in 1686.
Baras Church is designed in the Baroque style, evidenced by its dark and simple layout. Even the facade
is quite bare, save for the stream of balustrade, trimming its triangular pediment, and the checkerboard
pattern of brick and stone on the pediment’s upper portion.

Evaluation

1. Written test
 Answer the following questions briefly.
1. What is Church?

Church, in Christian doctrine, the Christian religious community as a whole, or a body or

organization of Christian believers. The Greek word ekklēsia, which came to mean church, was originally
applied in the Classical period to an official assembly of citizens. In the Septuagint (Greek) translation of
the Old Testament (3rd–2nd century BCE), the term ekklēsia is used for the general assembly of the
Jewish people, especially when gathered for a religious purpose such as hearing the Law (e.g.,
Deuteronomy 9:10, 18:16). In the New Testament it is used of the entire body of believing Christians
throughout the world (e.g., Matthew 16:18), of the believers in a particular area (e.g., Acts 5:11), and
also of the congregation meeting in a particular house—the “house-church” (e.g., Romans 16:5).

2. Other than being a building, what does “Church” mean?

It is an Organization: People use the word church to identify the larger religious group for which
they belong. They talk about the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Baptist Church, Vineyard Church,
Methodist church, Non-Denominational Church or countless other variations.The church is not limited
to the larger religious organization you identify with.

It is a Hierarchy of decision making: People use the word church to indicate the government
implemented by their particular brand Christianity.. Bringing something before the “church” means
bringing a particular issue before a congregation, elders, deacons, pastors, priests, bishops or whatever
other offices are instituted in your bylaws. Your church is not your decision making structure.

3. How is the Church used by Christians?

For Chrstians, Church is a building used for Christian religious activities, particularly for Christian worship
services. The term is often used by Christians to refer to the physical buildings where they worship, but
it is sometimes used as an analogy to refer to buildings of other religions. In traditional Christian
architecture, a church interior is often structured in the shape of a Christian cross. When viewed from
plan view the vertical beam of the cross is represented by the center aisle and seating while the
horizontal beam and junction of the cross is formed by the bema and altar.

4. Etymologically, what does the word “Church” mean?

Etymologically speaking, the word church means “house of the Lord.” The modern word church
is a direct descendant of the Old English word cirice or circe. The first recorded use of the Old English
word is from the thirteenth century, and it could refer to either a body of Christian believers or to the
place where they gathered. The early Quakers, as a matter of principle, refused to call the buildings
where they met “churches,” since the biblical word church referred to people, not a building. The
Quakers instead called a building designed for Christian worship a “steeplehouse.” That term is now
archaic, as many church buildings no longer have a steeple.

Going further back than Old English, the word church ultimately traces its origin to a Greek term,
kūrikón, which was related to kurios, “lord.” The phrase kūrikón oikía meant “the Lord’s house.” In the
Middle Ages, the Greek term for “house of worship” was shortened to kūrkón. And that’s the word that
was loaned to West Germanic as kirika and eventually to Old English as cirice. Old Norse borrowed the
Old English word cirice to form kirkja, and that’s where the Scottish word kirk came from. During the
Middle English period, the word kirk was borrowed from the Scots, so now Modern English has both
church and kirk as synonyms.

Many English words, especially those related to Christianity, came from Greek and passed
through early German dialects. The word church is one of those words. Other English ecclesiastical
words that share a Greek origin include Christ, angel, evangelism, baptize, episcopal, apostle,
Presbyterian, and charismatic.

5. Why is the church also described as “Spouse of Christ”?

In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul compares the union of husband and wife to that of Christ and the
church. The central theme of the whole Ephesians letter is reconciliation of the alienated within the
unity of the church. Ephesians 5 begins by calling on Christians to imitate God and Christ, who gave
himself up for them with love

The imagery and symbolism of marriage is applied to Christ and the body of believers known as
the church. The church is comprised of those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior
and have received eternal life. Christ, the Bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the church to
be His bride (Ephesians 5:25–27). Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the
bride and groom were separated until the wedding, so is the bride of Christ separate from her
Bridegroom during the church age. Her responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Him
(2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:24). At the rapture, the church will be united with the Bridegroom and
the official “wedding ceremony” will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will
be actualized (Revelation 19:7–9; 21:1-2). Christ loves the church as He loves Himself (Ephesians 5:28-
30). Likewise, a husband is to love his wife as himself, considering their marriage as "one body."