Christology/Discipleship Midterm

What is typology?

Viewing events, persons or statements from the Old Testament as foreshadowings of the New Testament (prefiguring)

Why did God create man?

to make them share in His own Divine life

What is God's response to sin?

mercy

What is the protoevangelium?

God's promise of a Savior; the First Gospel

What is the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit?

to draw humanity back to the Father

How is the mission carried out in the present day?

through the Church

Explain the quote: "God, infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in His own blessed life."

God has always existed and He is perfectly good and sufficient in Himself, without us, but He had so much love and goodness that He willingly made man like Him to have them take part in His infinite love and happiness

How would you respond to someone who asks: "Didn't God change between the Old Testament and New Testament?"

St. Augustine said that "The New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New." The idea of prefigurement is key when comparing the two. God had promised a savior in the Old Testament, and His people met their savior in the New Testament when God became flesh

What is the difference between a type and antitype?

a type is a prefigurment and an antitype is the fulfillment (example: Adam is the type, Jesus is the antitype)

What is the difference between typology and allegory? Why is this significant when looking at Scripture?

Typology: Real events, people from an earlier era

Allegory: Every significant detail of the text stands for something else; can be symbolic, fictional (like a parable, fable)

How did Gabriel address Mary at the Annunciation? What did this mean?

full of grace: means that she is full to overflowing and favored: God gave her a grace that He did not give to others

What does Mary do after the Annunciation?

goes in haste to spread the Good News

What is Mary's fiat?

Her yes to God's will, "let it be"

What did the prophet Isaiah foretell about the name of the Messiah? Was this name fulfilled or not? Explain.

Emmanuel=God with us. the name was fulfilled, as Jesus is God in the flesh

What does Mary do after the Anunciation and, how is this a model of discipleship?

She goes to visit Elizabeth; she is a model of discipleship because she acted on God's call with humility

Give a summary of Elizabeth's proclamation to Mary. What two key titles and descriptions did Elizabeth give to Mary?

Gave Mary titles: "Blessed among women" and "Mother of my Lord;" John leaps for joy

Compare Elizabeth/John the Baptist (New Testament- Visitation) and David (Old Testament- Ark of the Covenant)

They both rejoice at Jesus/God's presence and celebrate it

Why does Elizabeth say that Mary is blessed? (Two reasons)

God's promise is fulfilled in Mary, and she bears Jesus

How was the Holy Spirit involved in Elizabeth's proclamation?

He guided Elizabeth and inspired her to praise Mary

What is a central theme of the Magnificat? What is the Magnificat?

Mary’s Magnificat is a song of praise to God

How many months did Mary stay with Elizabeth?

3 months

Why did the announcement of Christ's birth come first to the shepherds?

to represent that God came for the humble, lowly, and poor - also, Christ is the Good Shepard

What were the two signs given to the shepherds, indicating how they would identify the newborn Messiah?

"You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" and the star

What were the Israelite's expectations of the Messiah (aka what did they expect him to be like)?

they expected Christ to be a military leader or political leader

What is redemption?

Redemere, “to buy back.” - In the context of the Bible, Redemption atones for all sin and renews the soul. A profound change happens in the interior of the human person. Saved from our sins by Jesus

What is the indwelling of the Trinity?

It means that the Blessed Trinity dwells in our souls. We first received this in the sacrament of Baptism.

It grows according to God's grace and our openness/cooperation with God

What is kenosis?

"self-emptying", when Jesus became flesh. Jesus' entire life was a kenosis, but especially His Passion and Death. By this self-emptying, He proves His sacrificial love and won our salvation

What is the partaking of the Divine Nature?

Jesus gave us a share in the Divine life by giving us the gift of the Indwelling of the Trinity

What is the exultet?

It proclaims that Christ rose from the dead; chanted at Easter Vigil, and it means "rejoice"

What is the Great Commission?

Jesus tells his Apostles to make disciples, and he gives them the power to forgive sins

What is logos?

word, reason, plan. The divine reason implicit in the cosmos, ordering it and giving it meaning.

John identifies Jesus as the Logos

What is compassion?

“Suffering with” “Inward parts wrenched.” Jesus was so moved with compassion for us that he healed us, taught us, and died for us

What is redemptive suffering?

After Christ's Passion and death no human suffering needs to be without meaning, and when we unite our sufferings to the cross of Christ, we receive grace for ourselves and for those for whom we offer up our sufferings

What is public ministry?

Jesus’ preachings from age 30-33. We can find out about this in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Started when he got Baptized. He preached, healed, taught. Ended when he got crucified

What does it mean to say "the Word became flesh"? What or who is the Word?

Word = Logos, reason, plan

"the Word became flesh" means that God the son, Jesus, The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity (different titles for the same divine person) took on a human nature

What are the four main reasons why the "Word Became Flesh"?

1. For Our Redemption,

2. To Manifest God's Love,

3. To Offer a Model of Holiness,

4. To Allow a Share in Divine Life

What three things does Christ's redemption do for mankind individually and as a whole? 

1. Expiation for our sins

2. Reconciliation with God and Humankind

3. Restoration of what our human nature lost by sin

Why is it fitting that our redemption happens through Jesus (He who is God and man)?

He is the perfect mediator between God and man because he was both. He had divine and human natures in one divine person. A human had to atone for a human mistake, but a divine person had to be the one to forgive sins. Since Jesus was both, He was able to redeem us

What was the redemptive sacrifice which Jesus offered?

Every action of Christ's life on earth from his conception until his Ascension was redemptive, but especially His Passion.

What do we learn about Mary's role from the Wedding at Cana?

Mary tells the servants to "do whatever He tells you." She sees our need and points us to Christ when we forget to bring our concerns to Him. Additionally, we learn she is the new Eve when Jesus calls her "woman," and it was destined that the woman's offspring would conquer evil

What is the purpose of fasting?

When Jesus fasted in the Desert, He did it to prepare for His public ministry. We can do it to prepare the space to rejoice in the feast of the promise

List examples of Jesus' healings. What do we know about Jesus by the way He heals (3 things)? What do they tell us about what He wants for us?

- He pardons sins

- His healings confirm His mission of reconciliation

- He restores what human nature lost by sin

Jesus desires to reconcile. There will never be a sin God cannot forgive since He desires for all to come home. By His actions, Jesus shows every person that he has infinite compassio

How does Jesus give us a share in the Divine life?

Jesus gave us a share in the Divine life by giving us the gift of the Indwelling of the Trinity

What is the Indwelling of the Trinity? When do we first receive it? How can it grow?

It means that the Blessed Trinity dwells in our souls. We first received this in the sacrament of Baptism. It grows according to God's grace and our openness/cooperation with God

What did Jesus endure during His Passion? What kinds of suffering?

Jesus endured so much physical and emotional suffering during His passion. Physically, he was whipped, crowned with thorns, carried a heavy cross, and sweat blood.

Emotionally, he knew many would reject his gift, he was abandoned by his friends, he was anxious, and he had to watch his mother in anguish

How is Christ in solidarity with every human being who suffers?

Christ is in solidarity with every human being who suffers because He has experienced every kind of pain that a person could experience. Because He suffered, He understands our suffering. Jesus takes on all our suffering by dying on the cross

What do we know about Jesus' glorified body?

Jesus's glorified body was a real, physical, yet transformed human body that retained his wounds but transcended earthly limitations, capable of passing through walls, appearing and disappearing at will, and moving with incredible speed

What were some of Jesus' last words on the cross?

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" (Luke 23:46) / "Eli, Eli, lema sabacthani" - "My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?" (Mt 27:46) / "It is finished" (John 19:30)

What do we mean when we say Jesus "descended into the dead (hell)?"

After his death on the Cross, he descended into Sheol, the place where all those who have died, both evil and righteous, waited for a Savior. He truly experienced bodily death, and He descended in his human soul united to his divine person as the Savior

What is the Resurrection? How does it affect us?

The Resurrection happens during Holy Saturday night into early Easter morning. Right before the Resurrection, Jesus had descended into the dead for 3 days

What does St. Paul say about the Resurrection and our faith?

He means that we become "partakers of the divine nature" (= adopted children of God the Father in union with Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit). He doesn't mean we become omnipotent, but in a REAL sense, we share Christ's life. In a way, this sharing in God's divine nature is what Adam & Eve grasped for & missed, because they wanted to be "like God" but apart from God

What woman is recorded to have first witnessed the resurrected Jesus in all 4 gospels? How is she like us?

Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene. She is the first witness of Jesus' resurrection and is the first evangelist of His rising. She is given the title "the Apostle to the Apostles."

When was the Ascension (in relation to the other events of the Paschal Mystery) and what was this event?

The Asension was 40 days after the Resurrection. Ascend means "to go up." The Ascension is when Jesus goes up to Heaven in His divinity and humanity

How does the Ascension apply to us?

Jesus is in Heaven praying for us and preparing a place for us, and He is interceding for us. He ascended body and soul into Heaven so that we can also be in Heaven body and soul

How does 33 Days of Greater Glory connect to themes of Unit 2?

Everything Jesus does is out of love for us; he shows us how great the Father's mercy is. Unite us in love

What is the overarching goal of 33 Days of Greater Glory?

To drawl us to closer to Jesus by knowing him, and he reveals the Father's love to us

List 3 takeaways from your homework readings on 33 Days of Greater Glory

ANSWERS WILL VARY

What is ekklesia?

(to "call out of" or "assembly") is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament (Qahal in Hebrew) for the assembly of the Chosen People before God

What is Holy?

God's grace makes us holy

What is Apostolic?

Apostles = special witness who pass on the church. Apostolic succession; founded on the apostles

What is One?

united in Christ

What is Catholic?

universal (fullness) family of God; given and sent out

Why do we have a Church? How do we know that the Church is "willed and cherished" by God, especially by each member of the Blessed Trinity?

Before time began (and now), God desires all people to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Though we sin, God also knows that some will respond to His grace & cooperate with His plan. It was founded & preached by Christ while He was on earth. Formed from Christ's side on the Cross. Holy Spirit was sent by Father and Son (Pentecost) to provide for her growth from now until the end of time.

How do we know Peter was given an office that was to be passed down?

Peter is given an office. An office is meant to be passed on (doesn't end once that occupant dies) Jesus is setting up a position of leadership and authority in His Church

Describe how the Church was foreshadowed in the Old Testament and born in the New Testament.

The New Testament builds on images of the Old Testament and offers images that are linked to Christ as the Head of this people which is his Body

The Church is sent by the Holy Spirit to do what?

1. announce

2. bear witness

3. make present

4. spread the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity

List at least three images of the Church and describe their deeper, spiritual significance.

1. Body of Christ- with Christ as the head and members (believers) with different functions

2. Bride of Christ- church as bride and Jesus as bridegroom

3. Sheep, flock- Jesus as the Good Shepherd, leading, protecting, and guiding His ssheep

4. Citizens of heaven- Jesus as the leader and we are the citizens

5. Temple of the Lord (stones built together into one building)- the church as a spiritual dwelling place for God's Spirit

6. Clothed with Christ- Christ is the garments we are clothed with

What is the best way to describe the Church's mission in relation to Christ?

meant to continue his redemptive work by making disciples and proclaiming the Gospel to all nations (shares in God's mission)

Is the Church necessary for salvation? Explain.

"Outside the Church, there is no salvation" To those who had been baptized by heretics and were wondering if they needed to be "rebaptized" to become Catholic

1. Baptism

2. Desire

Jesus provides the graces of salvation through the Church, His Bride and the "sacrament of salvation"

What are the four "marks" of the Church? Why are they important to know?

Marks = one, holy, catholic, and apostolic

What if the Church doesn't seem to have one of the marks? Does it mean that the marks aren't real or valid?

Every church fails: It is recognized that every local congregation or individual member fails to reflect these marks perfectly. A "Never-Ending Task": The church is always in need of being reformed in accordance with the Word of God. A lack of visible holiness or unity is often a call for renewal rather than proof of a lack of legitimacy

Who wrote Acts of the Apostles? What else did he write? His profession? What makes him unique of all human authors of the Bible?

The author is St. Luke. He also wrote the Gospel of Luke. St. Luke was a physician. He is the only writer who is a Gentile

Compare the Annunciation and Pentecost: how is Mary a model for the Church in the mission of evangelization?

Jesus to the Apostles about Pentecost: "when the holy Spirit comes upon you;" Gabriel to Mary during Annunciation: "the holy Spirit will come upon you" / We are called to receive the Holy Spirit and allow God's love to flow through us to others. Mary was open to the Holy Spirit, received the holy Spirit, was attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and went out to tell Elizabeth, as the Holy Spirit led

Mary and the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit then went out (praising God) to share the Gospel

What happened at Pentecost? What does this reveal about the way God works?

Holy Spirit came as a driving wind and descended upon the apostles as tongues of fire, which enabled them to proclaim the Gospel in heavenly languages and in languages they never knew before. God makes his presence known by wind and descending as fire

What does it mean that the Church possesses the gifts of infallibility and indefectibility?

Indefectibility: the promise of Jesus from Matthew 16 that the Church would always remain and be guided by the Holy Spirit

Infallibility: the gift of the Holy Spirit which enables Peter, united with the apostles, and their successors to interpret the law and Scripture and make declarations in matters of faith and morals = the power of the keys, binding and loosing

Are the miracles, healings, and acts of the apostles types of things that God stopped doing after the apostles died or do they still happen through the Church today?

They still happen today through the guidance of the Holy Spirit

What's the story of St. Stephen's martyrdom?

Stephen was the a Jewish convert to Christianity. He was taken before Jewish authorities and falsely accused of blasphemy. Stephen kept his peace and defended his faith in Jesus, and he was stoned to death

What are some ways we see the Holy Spirit at work in Acts of the Apostles?

Personal holiness, conversion of the thousands, freedom from illness, freedom from prison, freedom from death, freedom from ignorance of Christ, growth in the Church

Immediate vs Intermediate work of the Holy Spirit

Immediate: (personal) in prayer, inspiration, prompting, reception of gifts, charisms, fruits

Intermediate: (ecclesial, intercessory) received through the intercession of another person who has received the Holy Spirit

How did Jesus ensure his authentic teaching would not be changed or disappear after the death of the Apostles?

Through Apostolic Tradition—He entrusted His divinely-revealed teaching to the Apostles, who handed it on to the bishops ordained by the Apostles, who handed on to the next bishops

What did the early Christians understand about Baptism and the Eucharist?

Baptism and the Eucharist were both understood among the early Christians as we understand it today

Baptism: original sin is removed, any personal sin is forgiven, one is incorporated into the mystical Body of Christ

Eucharist: Christ’s Body and Blood are, through His words spoken by the priest, truly made present in the Eucharist under the appearance of bread and wine

What evidence can one find for Peter's primacy among the Apostles in the Gospels, the Council of Jerusalem and the Tradition of the early Church?

1. Matthew 16: Jesus appointed Peter as head of His Church on earth

2. Council of Jerusalem: Peter's word, guided by the Holy Spirit in the council, had the authority to settle the issue at hand

3. Tradition: letters from bishops in the first century show that Peter's successor, Pope Saint Clement I, had the authority to settle matters in other areas, like Corinth

How did Paul view his imprisonment?

with hopeful confidence in Christ

Who was Paul's audience?

the Jewish through signs and wonders

What was St. Paul's background?

His name was originally "Saul." Prior to his conversion, Paul persecuted many Christians. He was blinded on the way to Damascus and experienced a conversion of heart there

Who was St. Paul's successor?

Saint Timothy

Did St. Paul know Jesus during Jesus' earthly ministry?

no

Where did Paul's journeys end? How many journeys did he go on?

It ended in Rome. He went on 4 journeys

What are some themes in the letters of St. Paul?

+ Only one God- Father, son, HS

+ Salvation is through Jesus

+ Death and Resurrection of Jesus are the heart of the Gospel

+ Salvation is a Gift, it can't be earned

+ We are all brothers and sisters in Christ

+ to suffer Christ means to suffer gladly

Looking back on both your Saint Journal entries and all the saints we discussed in Units 1-4, what do the saints teach us about discipleship?

ANSWERS MAY VARY

+ Christopher: no matter what, we will always be guided by God; He will always be there for us and draw us back to him

+ Peter: you can still be a sinner, and Jesus will be waiting to redeem us

+ Mother Thereasa: how we serve the poor and how to give of yourself