Unit 2 Religion Study Guide: Jesus the Incarnate Word and Becoming Who You Are

Practice vocabulary flashcards for Unit 2 covering Christology, Old Testament fulfillment and typology, Marian dogmas, Gospel beginnings, and Ignatian principles of becoming the true self.

Incarnation

The Son of God taking on a real human nature in Jesus Christ, who is truly God and truly human without ceasing to be God (John 1:14).

Logos

Greek for "Word"; in John's Gospel, the Word is with God, is God, and became flesh in Jesus Christ.

Messiah / Christ

Messiah is Hebrew for "anointed one" and Christ is the Greek equivalent; fulfilled by Jesus through suffering, self-giving, death, and Resurrection rather than merely political power.

CCC 456–460

Catechism teachings explaining why the Word became flesh: for our salvation (456), to reconcile us with God (457), to reveal God's love (458), to serve as our model of holiness (459), and to make us partakers of the divine nature (460).

Paschal Mystery

God's saving and redemptive plan encompassing the Incarnation, Jesus' life, Passion (suffering), Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost.

Typology

The practice of reading earlier people, events, or objects in the Old Testament as patterns or foreshadowings that find a fuller meaning in Christ or Mary.

Numbers 24:17 Prophecy

Old Testament prophecy referring to a star, connected in the class slides to the visit of the Magi in Matthew 2:1–12.

Jeremiah 31:15 Prophecy

Old Testament passage connected in the class slides to the massacre of the infants in Matthew 2:13–18.

Hosea 11:1 Prophecy

Old Testament passage stating "Out of Egypt I called my son," connected in the class slides to Jesus' family returning from Egypt in Matthew 2:19–23.

Suffering Servant

An Old Testament theme describing a servant who suffers and gives himself for others, helping explain why the Messiah's mission includes suffering and self-giving.

New Adam

A typological title for Jesus, whose obedience brings redemption and new life, contrasting with Adam whose disobedience brought sin into human history.

Paschal Lamb

Old Testament Passover lamb connected with deliverance from slavery in Egypt, foreshadowing Jesus as the "Lamb of God" who offers himself for salvation.

Immaculate Conception

The Catholic teaching that Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of her own existence by God's grace in view of her role as the mother of Jesus.

Annunciation

The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she will conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26–38).

Fiat

Mary's freely given "yes" to God ("Let it be done to me according to your word"), serving as a model of Christian discipleship.

New Eve

A title for Mary reflecting her faithfulness at Cana and at the Cross when addressed as "woman," contrasting with Eve's disobedience in Genesis.

Ark of the Covenant (Typology)

A typological comparison for Mary carrying Jesus, paralleling the Ark's contents: manna (Bread of Life), Aaron's staff (High Priest), and the Ten Commandments (New Law).

Emmanuel

A name meaning "God with us," connected in Matthew 1:23 with the identity of Jesus.

Baptism of Jesus

An event where Jesus sets an example for humanity, identifies with the human condition, and demonstrates obedience to God the Father.

Temptation of Desire

The first category of Jesus' desert temptations, in which Satan tempts him to turn stones into bread for immediate satisfaction (Matthew 4:3–4).

Temptation of Approval

The second category of Jesus' desert temptations, in which he is tempted to jump from the Temple and demand angelic rescue as a test of identity and worth (Matthew 4:5–7).

Temptation of Power / Success

The third category of Jesus' desert temptations, in which he is offered the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worshiping Satan (Matthew 4:8–10).

True Self

The person you are before God and the person God created you to be, where loving qualities are magnified and sinful tendencies diminish.

False Self

A mental self-image shaped by social agreement and built around what you think other people want or expect.

Becoming

A gradual lifelong journey, process (not a product), and method (not a recipe) involving time, experience, decisions, and discoveries to realize the true self.

The Double Journey

The interconnected spiritual reality that finding God and finding one's true self occur together: to find God, one must be found by God; to discover one's true self, one must allow God to reveal it.

Universal Call to Holiness

The Catholic teaching that all people are called to discover their true self and grow in holiness in their own specific and unique way.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

A personality typing tool used for personal reflection, rather than a definitive limit on personal identity or a replacement for the true self.

Thomas Merton

A Catholic writer and Trappist monk (1915–1968) whose life, vocational tensions, and quest for spiritual freedom illustrate the journey toward the true self.

Trappists

The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, a Roman Catholic cloistered and contemplative monastic order following the Rule of St. Benedict.

James Martin, SJ

Jesuit author of Becoming Who You Are, which explores the distinction between the true self and false self and the process of becoming.

Spiritual Consolation

In St. Ignatius of Loyola's writings, interior movements and thoughts (such as reflecting on Christ and the saints) that produce lasting peace, joy, and movement toward God.

The Three A's of Awesome

Core ideas presented in Neil Pasricha's TEDx talk: Attitude (the outlook one brings), Awareness (noticing and appreciating surroundings), and Authenticity (being genuine).