RE

(Midterms)

LESSON 1: INTRODUCING THE HOLY SPIRIT form the first Christian community in
Jerusalem.
 The Spirit gave the disciples courage to go out
INTRODUCING THE HOLY SPIRIT
and preach the message of Jesus Christ.
 The Third Divine Person of the Trinity first appears  The Church shares in the mission of the Spirit
in the Book of Genesis. and the Son to go to the ends of the Earth
 In the Old Testament, we see the Holy Spirit spreading the Good News of salvation.
participating in the work of salvation.  The Holy Spirit works in the Church to build her
 The Holy Spirit was fully revealed at Pentecost. up, to bring her new life, to guide her, and to
make her holy.
The Breath of God  Symbols of the Holy Spirit
o Water
HOLY SPIRIT
o Fire
 Is the Third Divine Person of the Trinity
o Dove
 Most often works "behind the scenes" rather
o Anointing
than on center stage.
o Throughout the Old Testament, the
INTRODUCTION
Holy Spirit works behind the scenes
preparing God's people for the coming GRACE
of the Messiah-especially through the  Is the gift of God's loving presence in our lives.
prophets.  At Baptism, we receive the life of the Holy
 Jesus and the Holy Spirit are inseparable from Spirit.
each other and from the Father.  The gift of grace from the Holy Spirit brings us
 The breath of the Holy Spirit gives us God's life. into a close relationship with the Holy Trinity.
 Through the Holy Spirit, we experience God's  The Holy Spirit gives us the help we need to
love and come to know Jesus. live as adopted sons and daughters of God.
 The Holy Spirit Prepares the Way
 The Holy Spirit was present in the Book of God Takes the First Step
Genesis as the wind or breath (ruah) that
 The human heart longs for God, and only God
moves over the waters to bring life out of
can satisfy that longing.
nothingness.
 We are made to be with God, and God offers
 Isaiah announces that the coming Messiah is
love and friendship to every person.
filled with God's Spirit and will bring justice.
 But God does not force his gift of love on us.
o We must choose to accept it. When we
In the Fullness of Time
allow God's grace into our lives, it
HOLY SPIRIT brings about real change in us.
 Its work of preparation for Christ's coming was  When we say yes to God's invitation to
completed in Mary, because she said yes to participate in his life, we begin to live and love
God's invitation. like Jesus.
o By the power of the Spirit, Mary was  Grace has an eternal effect on our relationship
"full of grace," full of God's life and with God.
love. o It allows us to fulfill our job
 The Holy Spirit brought people together into descriptions as Catholics to love God
relationship with Jesus. and our neighbor.

JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
 Jesus said that his mission and the Holy Spirit's  God gives us the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to help
mission are the same. us love him and live good and holy lives.
 Jesus' whole work is a joint mission with the  The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are special graces
Holy Spirit. that help us respond to God's call to live holy
 Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to his lives.
disciples and thus to the Church.  The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
o Wisdom
On a Mission o Understanding
 Feast of Pentecost o Counsel (Right Judgment)
o Fifty days after Jesus' Resurrection, the o Fortitude (Courage)
Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. o Knowledge
 Some people call it the birthday of the Church, o Piety (Reverence)
because the disciples went in confidence to o Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe).
 RE
(Midterms)

The Holy Spirit's Mission CHARISMS

 The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the benefit of
 The Holy Spirit has revealed the mission of
the Church and the world.
Christ, which is continued by the Church.
 Ordinary charisms
 The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostles and other
o are seen when we use our gifts and
disciples to share the Good News.
talents to help others.
 Pentecost:
 Extraordinary charisms
o The Church Revealed to the World -
o involve spiritual gifts beyond normal
Fifty days after Passover, Jesus'
human abilities.
followers gathered in Jerusalem.
 The Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit
Charisms of Leadership
o They could speak so that they could be
 The Holy Spirit offers gifts that enable leaders to
understood by all who heard them.
provide benefits to the whole Church.
The Age of the Church  Members of religious orders often try to pursue the
charism of their founder.
 Pentecost marked the beginning of the  The Pope and the bishops in union with him have
Church's mission on earth. the charism of infallibility.
 Christ was no longer present on earth in the  The Church Needs All Charisms
same way as before.  The Holy Spirit gives gifts to every member of the
 By sending us his Holy Spirit, Christ now acts in Church.
the world through his Church.  Each person can help to build up the Church.

The Holy Spirit's Work Salt and Light

 The Holy Spirit builds, animates, and sanctifies  Jesus tells us that we are sent to be salt and
the Church. light for the world.
 These elements of the Spirit's mission are  Christ calls us to bring out the true flavor and
evidence of the Holy Spirit's energy. goodness of the world.

The Spirit Builds the Church Discipleship in Daily Life

 Instead of "Me first!" we serve one another.
 The Holy Spirit builds individuals' faith lives
 Instead of "You are on your own!" we are one
 It builds community and builds the Church by
in Jesus Christ.
calling new members.
 Instead of "Be this! Do this! Wear this!" we
adhere to the Gospel.
The Spirit Animates the Church

 The tongues of fire at Pentecost symbolize Take Responsibility for Your Faith Each Day
transforming energy.
 The life of a disciple involves participation in
 Followers who had been huddling behind closed
the celebration of the Sacraments.
doors were converted into bold missionaries
 Take time to pray.
who began to proclaim their faith.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The Spirit Sanctifies the Church
HOLY SPIRIT
 The Holy Spirit works to increase the holiness
 Is central to the life of the Church.
of the Church and her members:
 The Holy Spirit enlivens the mind as well as the
o through the Sacraments through the
heart.
virtue by which we live a moral life by
 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to honor
the many gifts the Holy Spirit gives to
God through our talents.
each person.
o Live with the End in Mind
Life According to the Holy Spirit
LESSON 2: INTRODUCTING THE ACTS OF THE
 When we ignore the Holy Spirit, we focus on
the gratification of our own needs APOSTLES
 When we live in the Holy Spirit, we focus on The New Testament
the well-being of others. The Acts of the Apostles
 The Holy Spirit allows us to deepen our  Is a unique book of the new testament
relationship with God.  It is not a Gospel or an Epistle
 RE
(Midterms)

o it is its own unique genre, with no  His three missionary journeys bring the
other book like it. Gospel message throughout the
 It is the only book that functions as “part 2” of Mediterranean world.
a Gospel. D. BARRABAS
 Written by the same author as the Gospel of  Paul’s travel Companion
Luke, it picks up the story of Jesus’ saving E. LYDIA
mission where Luke leaves off.  Paul’s first European convert Christianity
 More than the other New Testament books, in the city of Philippi in Macedonia
Acts reads like a history of the early Church. (Present-day Greece)

Structure of the Acts of the Apostles SAINT PAUL

 Saint Paul lived during the early to middle first
 1:1—2:13 century AD.
o the Ascension of Jesus and the sending of  He was born into a Jewish community.
the Spirit at Pentecost  He was a Roman citizen.
 2:14—8:3  He studied under Rabbi Gamaliel and became a
o the mission in Jerusalem Pharisee.
 8:4—9:43  He spent the first part of his life persecuting
o the mission in Judea and Samaria Christians, and he witnessed the martyrdom of
 10:1—15:35 Saint Stephen
o the beginning of the mission to the Gentiles
(non-Jews)
The Conversion of Saint Paul
 15:36—28:31
 Saint Paul encountered the risen Christ on the road
o the mission of Paul “to the ends of the
earth,” represented by the city of Rome to Damascus, in Syria.
 The story of his conversion is found in Acts, chapter
The Chronology of Acts 9. His conversion led him to become a true
Apostle.
 It was written approximately AD 85
 He established many Christian communities in
o After the epistles
major Roman cities.
o After Mark’s , Matthew’s, and Luke’s
 To remain in contact with these communities, he
Gospels
wrote letters offering advice, encouragement, and
o Before John’s Gospel
teaching.
 When did the events that Acts describes take
place?
PAULINE LETTERS
o Approximately AD 30 to 65
 They are letters written to individuals and
 During the early Church’s
Christian communities in the Apostolic Church.
missionary campaign.
 There are 21letters.
 During the missionary campaign,
 Over half of the letters (thirteen) are attributed
the Epistles began to be written,
to Paul or to disciples who wrote in his name.
but neither the Gospels nor Acts
was yet written.  9 of the Pauline letters are addressed to
communities and 4 to individuals.
Basic Facts about the Acts of the Apostles  Some letters are grouped into two
 The Book of Acts was written by the same subcategories:
evangelist who wrote the Gospel of Luke. o the captivity letters
o the pastoral letters
 he Acts of the Apostles picks up where the Gospel
of Luke ends.
CATHOLIC LETTERS
 It recounts how the early Church grew under the
 The word catholic here means "universal" or
guidance of the Holy Spirit
"general."
Key People in Acts  Are intended for a general audience or an
unnamed individual.
A. PETER  Seven non-Pauline letters are considered part
 Quickly emerges as a key leader in the early of the catholic letters.
church, despite his earlier denials of Jesus  These letters are named after an Apostle.
o Denied Jesus 3 times
 Like Paul's letters they offer advice,
B. PHILIP
encouragement, and teaching about
 The first apostle to preach the gospel
community life and faith in Jesus Christ.
message in Samaria
 The Letter to the Hebrews
C. PAUL
o Another non-Pauline letter found in the
 Embraces belief in Jesus after an encounter
New Testament
with the Risen Lord on the road to
Damascus;
 RE
(Midterms)

o The author of Hebrews supports and  Deepening a relationship that leads to marriage
enlivens faith in Jesus Christ. is similar to building a committed relationship
o The Letter to the Hebrews emphasizes with God through prayer
the divinity of Christ. Vocal Prayer: Courtship
o It also emphasizes the redeeming • Early in a relationship, the focus is on
power of Christ's Death on the cross. conversation.
• Speaking with a sincere heart is the foundation
LESSON 4: INTRODUCTION TO PRAYER of courtship.

Prayer Meditation: Engagement

 Raising our minds and hearts to God. • Moving toward a deepened commitment
 Or the requesting of good things from God.” requires considering various aspects of a shared
 Prayer is more than words. life.
 It includes insight and affection. • Active discernment is the heart of the
 When we pray: engagement period.
o We may get a flash of insight.
o Our attitudes may gradually change as God Contemplation: Marriage
forms our intellect. • In intimate relationships, silently enjoying the
o We can be healed by God’s love and presence
become more loving in our relationships. of the other is a joy.
 It is not about using the right words or • Allowing the other to draw near is the essence
techniques. of marriage.
 It is about being a person who wants a
relationship with God. Vocal Prayer, Meditation, Contemplative Prayer
 Everyone is called to prayer.  The heart must be present and open to the beloved,
who is God.
Friendship with God  The heart must be present and open to the beloved,
 Many of the qualities that enhance our friendship who is God.
with others contribute to our friendship with God.
Challenges of Prayer
- Guides for Prayer –
 Prayer in the Old Testament Misconceptions of Prayer
1. Prayer is just psychological activity.
 The prayer of Jesus as model
2. Prayer is only saying memorized words.
 The prayer of Mary
3. Prayer requires expertise.
 Saints and prayer traditions
 Our families Difficulties in Prayer
 Priests, deacons, religious, catechists, prayer 1. Distractions
groups, spiritual directors 2. Dryness

God’s Grace THE FORMS OF PRAYER

 No sin can ever separate us from God’s love and
forgiveness. Different Ways to Pray
 The Holy Spirit communicates God’s grace to us. God wants to be in relationship with us in every
 Grace is the help God gives us to respond to our aspect of our lives.
vocation to be his adopted sons and daughters. Different forms of prayer connect to different times
 Experiencing God’s Grace and situations in our lives.
o Stop to give praise for all creation. We do not need to have our lives in perfect order
o Be more aware of God’s presence in before we pray.
your daily life. We can bring struggles, imperfections, confusions,
o Pray, worship, and participate in the and sins to God in prayer.
Sacraments.
o Conversion: our lifelong journey with Blessing and Adoration
and to God • In blessing, we ask God’s care for a person,
place, or activity.
PERSONAL PRAYER • is a response to God’s many gifts.
• Sometimes a blessing invokes God’s
Prayer as Personal Relationship power and care over a person, object,
 Our experience of building personal place, or event.
relationships can be a metaphor for our prayer • In adoration, we acknowledge God as our
life. Creator.
 RE
(Midterms)

• acknowledges that we are creatures • We can see these moments as times when
before the One who created us. our love for God is being purified.
• A petition asks God for something we
need.

Petition
• First we ask for forgiveness, and then we ask
God for help.
• This is the most usual form of prayer because it
is the most spontaneous.

Intercession
• We ask God to help another person or group.
• We grow in love for someone when we pray for
them.
• We are invited to broaden our circle of concern.
• is asking God’s help for another person.

Thanksgiving
• We show gratitude for the gift of life and the
gifts of life.
• recognizes that all we have comes to us as a gift
from God.

Praise
• We acknowledge that God is God, giving him
glory.
• expresses our love for God simply because God
is.
• The Gloria at Mass, a doxology, and the term
alleluia all praise God.

Expressions of Prayer
 Vocal prayer uses words either spoken aloud or
recited silently.
 In meditation, we ponder God’s presence and
activity
in our life and in the world.
 Contemplative prayer involves deep awareness
of the presence of God.

Misconceptions about Prayer

 Prayer is merely a psychological activity.
 It requires us to rattle off memorized words.
 It requires expertise.
 We should spend every waking moment in prayer.

Difficulties in Prayer
 Distractions
• reveal our preferences and attachments.
 Dryness
• is feeling separated from God and losing the
joy and peace of prayer.
• We can turn our focus back to the Lord.
 Darkness
• Spiritual darkness can begin with dryness
due to carelessness . . .
• or it can be as profound as feeling that we
have been abandoned by God.