Catholic Book
A collection of 73 Books divided into Chapters and Verses
Christ
Meaning "anointed one"
Resurrection
The rising of Jesus from the dead after Good Friday
Ascension
A new life after death
Apostle
"One sent out" to complete a task or act in place of the sender
Disciple
Meaning "student" or follower of a particular teacher, specifically Jesus
Covenant
A binding agreement or promise made by 2 or more individuals
BC
Before Christ, time period before Jesus' birth
BCE
Before the Common Era, time period before Jesus' birth
AD
Anno Domini, time period after Jesus' birth
CE
Common Era, time period after Jesus' birth
Bible
A small library of books written by different people guided by God's Holy Spirit
Old Testament
Also known as Hebrew Scriptures, showing God's love and basis of Jewish religion
Pentateuch
Greek for "five scrolls," includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
Prophetic Books
Divided into Former Prophets and Latter Prophets
New Testament
Also known as Christian Scriptures, showing Jesus' love and teachings
Gospels
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, narrating the life of Jesus
Letters from Paul
Written by an early church leader and missionary
Three Stages of Biblical Development
Experience, Understanding, and Passing on stories
Three Types of Histories
Oral, Written, and Edited History
Literalist Approach
Reading the Bible word for word
Contextualist Approach
Putting words into context for better understanding
10 Literary Forms in the Bible
Myth, List, Prophecy, Law, Sermon, History, Letter, Proverb, Parables, Psalm
Truths in the Bible
Scientific, Historical, Moral, Proverbial, Symbolic, Religious truths
Creation
Understanding Creation, De-Creation, and Re-Creation
Adam and Eve
First man and woman who disobeyed God
Sin
Humans create sin, leading to alienation from God and others
Tree of Knowledge
Symbolizing moral knowledge and choice between righteousness and sin
Covenants - Abraham, Moses, and Noah
Holy agreements with God based on love and trust
The Story of Moses
Oppression, Hope, and Delivery
The Ten Commandments
Laws based on love to protect, guide, and unite us
Beatitudes
Eight statements by Jesus on achieving good values and blessings
Beatitudes
A series of directives guiding individuals on their journey to be with God, emphasizing spiritual values over earthly happiness.
Commandments
Laws focusing on what not to do, with consequences for breaking them, contrasting the Beatitudes' inspirational nature.
Blessed
Indicates experiencing heavenly and spiritually significant events, emphasizing the importance of the statements in the Beatitudes.
Stewardship of the Earth
The responsibility to care for God's creation, including both people and the planet, ensuring preservation for future generations.
Human Dignity
The belief that all humans are sacred and deserve respect, regardless of various factors, following the principle of treating others as oneself.
Preferential Option for the Poor
Emphasizes prioritizing the needs of vulnerable members in society, reflecting morality through caring for the less fortunate.
Mustard Seed Parable
Illustrates how small actions can lead to significant impacts, encouraging individuals to contribute to preserving God's creation.
Good Samaritan
Encourages treating others with compassion and helping those in need, reflecting the principle of loving one's neighbor.
Judgement of Nations
Describes how serving others is serving Christ, emphasizing the importance of love and care for one another.
Virtues
Inherent qualities enabling individuals to perform good acts and give their best, including theological virtues like faith, hope, and love, and cardinal virtues like prudence and justice.
Vocation
A call from God to follow Jesus, spreading the good word and using one's gifts to love God and neighbors.
Forms of Prayer
Blessing, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving, and Praise, expressing acknowledgment, requests, gratitude, and love towards God.
Sacraments
Signs of Jesus in life, means of receiving God's grace, including sacraments of initiation, healing, and service of communion.
Baptism
Initiation sacrament symbolizing new life in Christ, cleansing from original sin, and resurrection to a life of faith.
Confirmation
Initiation sacrament reaffirming faith in Jesus, strengthening the gift of the Holy Spirit, and sealing one's commitment.
Eucharist
Initiation sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, nourishing faith in Jesus through the reception of His body and blood.
Reconciliation/Penance
Healing sacrament for receiving God's forgiveness and healing grace through confession and absolution.
Anointing of the Sick
Healing sacrament uniting the sick with Jesus' suffering, bringing forgiveness of sins and healing grace.
Matrimony
Sacrament uniting a man and woman as a sign of unity between Jesus and His Church, requiring consent and symbolizing unending love.
Holy Orders
Men are ordained as priests, deacons, or bishops to serve as spiritual leaders and carry on the teachings of the apostles.
Signs of Holy Orders
Include laying of hands for blessing and anointing with oil to be chosen and sent out to minister to others.
Symbols of Holy Orders
Represented by oil for strength and touch for calling upon the Holy Spirit.
Five Kinds of Love
Companionship, Friendship, Family Love, Sexual Love, Charity (Hetaireia, Philia, Storge, Eros, Agape).
Chastity
Being in control of physical and emotional sexual urges, a process of self-mastery and self-control for true freedom.
Intimacy & Sexuality
The Catholic Church requires marriage and openness to procreation for love-giving and life-giving sexual intercourse.
Discipleship
Following a teacher or school of thought, and in Scriptures, it means learning and obeying teachings.
Goals of Discipleship
Loving God, family, and neighbors, being filled with the Holy Spirit, holy and pure, bearing spiritual fruit, among others.
Outline of Discipleship
Putting Christ first, daily devotional time, Bible study, witnessing, attending church, serving others, being teachable, giving, and showing fruits of the Spirit.
Terms to Know
Lent, Genesis, Advent, Exodus, Pentecost, Justice, Fortitude, Love, Prudence, Temperance, Myth, Psalm, Law, Parable, Proverb.