religion unit 4

prayer?

• our living relationship with god

contemplation?

• different form of consciousness that requires constant union with god so that everything is a prayer

• deeper form of prayer; this connection with god is not easily acquired

• occurs when we see god’s presence in the ordinary

sacrament?

• sacred christian rite instituted by jesus

sign vs symbol?

• a sign is any object that represents something else that is seemingly unrelated (ex. a stop sign is just a piece of metal, but it also tells us to stop)

• symbols are like signs, but they have three distinguishable characteristics:

  • emotional significance; they spark a deep response (ex. a siren will make you think of a car accident or a tense moment

  • symbols are related to what they represent, instead of imposing meaning on them with signs

  • they have more than one meaning (ex. dove, cross)

cultural symbol?

• symbols that hold meaning to / are dependent on a specific group of people

  • canadian maple leaf, christian cross, yin and yang

universal symbol?

• symbols that are clearly recognized throughout the world, can be understood by many people of different cultures (ex. butterfly, fire)

ritual?

• set of actions or words performed regularly

personal vs communal prayer?

• an individual offers personal praise to god

• prayers by a group of people

5 types of prayer?

• praise and adoration

• blessing (calling for divine favour)

• thanksgiving

• petition (request to god for yourself — guidance, help, etc)

• intercession (asking god for something on behalf of others)

three types of sacraments?

• initiation

  • baptism (cleanses original sin and enters us into the church), eucharist (receiving body and blood of christ), confirmation (deepens baptismal grace)

• healing

  • reconciliation (confessing one’s sins), anointing of the sick (spiritual / physical healing to those who are ill / near death)

• service

  • marriage, holy orders (ordained as priest, bishop, or deacon)

what lesson can we learn from job’s story about pain and suffering?

• suffering is not always a punishment

• god hears us in the silence, and will eventually answer our prayers

• god values raw and authentic connection over polished answers (job cried out of frustration and grief)

4 reasons people ask for anointing of the sick?

• serious illness

• change in chronic condition

• upcoming surgery

• illness is difficult to bear (ex. depression)

priest role during reconciliation?

• they were given permission from jesus (he passed it down to the saints, then they passed it down to the priests)

• they represent jesus

• priests cannot tell authorities about what is confessed during reconciliation under any circumstances

8 characteristics of ritual?

• movement and gestures with meaning (clapping hands, kissing, waving goodbye, etc)

• repeated actions

• symbolic celebrations

• important events

• significant words (words are not always incorporated, so they are secondary to actions (ex. what you say during sign of the cross)

• linkages to the past (ex. canada day fireworks)

• communal actions

• participation, not observation

significance of eucharist in catholic faith?

• jesus is fully present in the eucharist

• taking the eucharist includes benefits, such as closer union with god and spiritual strength

• eucharist comes from a greek word that means thanksgiving

• last supper is significant as it is when jesus instituted the sacrament

• TLS was a passover meal —> the jewish version involved god freeing the israelites in egypt, so jews believed they were spiritually participating in it

  • the eucharist is similar— it is more than remembering jesus’ sacrifice, and believers participate in it and receive his presence

example of a ritual?

• reading late at night on fridays and saturdays

• reduces stress, promotes mindfulness and helps me relax