Vocabulary Unit 3-4 Test on Thursday, February 5th

atheist; atheism:

One who denies the existence of God; the denial of the existence of God.

blasphemy:

Speaking, acting, or thinking about God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or the saints in a way that is irreverent, mocking, or offensive. It is a sin against the Second Commandment

covenant:

A solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being in which mutual commitments are made.

divination:

The practice of seeking powers or knowledge through supernatural means apart from the one, true God; a sin against the First Commandment.

eschatology:

The area of Christian faith having to do with the last things: the Last Judgment, the particular judgment, the resurrection of the body, Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.

evangelical counsels:

To go beyond the minimum rules of life required by God (such as the Ten Commandments and the Precepts of the Church) and strive for spiritual perfection through a life marked by a commitment to chastity, poverty, and obedience.

examination of conscience:

Prayerful reflection on, and assessment of, one’s words, attitudes, and actions in light of the Gospel of Jesus; more specifically, the conscious moral evaluation of one’s life in preparation for reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

heresy:

The conscious and deliberate rejection of a dogma of the Church.

idolatry:

The worship of other beings, creatures, or material goods in a way that is fitting for God alone. It is a violation of the First Commandment.

magic:

The belief in supernatural power that comes from a source other than God; a sin against the First Commandment.

monotheism:

The belief in and worship of only one God.

pantheon:

A group of gods and goddesses worshipped by a particular people or religion.

perjury:

The sin of lying while under an oath to tell the truth. It is a sin against the Second Commandment.

profanity:

Speaking disrespectfully about something that is sacred or treating it with disrespect.

Sabbath:

In the Old Testament, the “seventh day,” on which God rested after the work of Creation was completed. In the Old Law, the weekly day of rest to remember God’s work through private prayer and communal worship. For Catholics, Sunday, the day on which Jesus was raised, which we are to observe with participation in the Eucharist in fulfillment of the Third Commandment.

sacred: The quality of being holy, worthy of respect and reverence.

The quality of being holy, worthy of respect and reverence.

sacrilege:

An offense against God. It is an abuse of a person, place, or thing dedicated to God and the worship of him.

simony:

Buying or selling something spiritual, such as a grace, a Sacrament, or a relic. It violates the honor of God.

superstition:

Attributing to someone or something else a power that belongs to God alone and relying on such powers rather than trusting in God; a sin against the First Commandment.

theological virtues:

The name for the God-given virtues of faith, hope, and love. These virtues enable us to know God as God and lead us to union with him in mind and heart.

tithe:

A commitment to donate a tenth or some other percentage of our income to the Church and other charitable causes.

venerate:

An action that shows deep reverence for something sacred. For example, on Good Friday, individuals in the assembly venerate the cross by bowing before it or kissing it.

adulation:

Excessive flattery, praise, or admiration for another person.

boasting:

Exaggerating accomplishments in order to make oneself seem more praiseworthy.

calumny:

Ruining the reputation of another person by lying or spreading rumors. It is also called slander and is a sin against the Eighth Commandment.

catechist:

A person called by God to the ministry of the education and formation of Christians by teaching others the essentials of Christian doctrine and forming them as disciples of Jesus Christ.

civil authorities:

Leaders of public groups that are not religious institutions, particularly government leaders.

detraction:

Unnecessarily revealing something about another person that is true but is harmful to his or her reputation. It is a sin against the Eighth Commandment.

impunity:

To be exempt from punishment.

rash judgment:

Assuming the worst about something someone says or does without knowing all of the facts.

reparation:

Making amends for something one did wrong that caused harm to another person or led to loss.

solidarity:

Union of one’s heart and mind with all people. Solidarity leads to the just distribution of material goods, creates bonds between opposing groups and nations, and leads to the spread of spiritual goods such as friendship and prayer.

vocation:

A call from God to all members of the Church to embrace a life of holiness. Specifically, it refers to a call to live the holy life as an ordained minister, as a vowed religious (sister or brother), in a Christian Marriage, or in single life.