Theology FInal 2

Samaria

Many of the inhabitants intermarried with the foreign occupants when Assyria conquered. Samaritans were not allowed to help with the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem due to differing beliefs and tension. Samaritans were often despised by other Jews.

Judea

Land which included Jerusalem, The City of David. Political and Religious center (location of the Temple).

Galilee

Northern region meaning 'Circle of Gentiles' - Land surrounded by Gentiles. Looked down upon by Jews for this reason. Jesus was raised here and did most of his ministry here.

Pharisees

Comes from the Hebrew 'Perushim' meaning 'set apart.' Well-educated. Focused mainly on strict observance of the law.

Sadducees

Most powerful Jewish sect during the time of Jesus; collaborated with Romans. Made up mostly of Priests; focused on Temple practices. Believed in cooperation with Gentiles. Hated by Pharisees. Followed the Torah only. Did not believe in the Resurrection or angels.

Essenes

Group that withdrew completely from the world and political activity to prepare for the coming of the savior. John the Baptist was likely one of these.

Zealots

Rebellious movement of militant Jews who battled for Jewish independence. Believed the Messiah would be a military leader. Led uprisings against the Romans.

Gospel

Good News.

Synoptic

Gospels with a shared vision of Jesus; focus upon His humanity.

Different sections of the New Testament

Made up of 27 books focusing on Jesus' life and the early church. The 4 parts are: Gospels, Historical (Acts), Epistles/letters (Pauline and Non-Pauline), and Apocalyptic (Revelation).

Relationship between the Old and New Testament

They reveal a unified revelation of God. 'The NT lies hidden in the OT and the OT is unveiled in the NT.'

General information about Jesus

Born of Mary (virgin), Father is God, adoptive father Joseph (carpenter from Nazareth). Jesus was raised Jewish, spoke Aramaic, taught the OT and Jewish laws.

Public ministry and death of Jesus

Began ministry at ~30 years old, lasted 3 years. Arrested for blasphemy and treason, sentenced by Romans, crucified, died, buried, rose after 3 days, appeared to followers, ascended to heaven.

Historical evidence for Jesus

Writings from Thallus, Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, Josephus, Suetonius, and Mara bar Serapieh mention Jesus or early Christians.

Why do we have four gospels?

The Gospels are the heart of the NT. Each evangelist wrote for different audiences and emphasized different aspects of Jesus' life to help us know Jesus and learn to follow Him.

Gospel of Matthew focus and audience

Focuses on Jesus as the Messianic King and fulfillment of Jewish expectations. Audience is mostly Jewish Christians.

Gospel of Mark focus and audience

Focuses on Jesus as the suffering Servant Messiah. Audience is Roman Gentiles.

Gospel of Luke focus and audience

Focuses on Jesus as fully human and Savior of all people, especially marginalized. Audience is Gentiles.

Gospel of John focus and audience

Focuses on Jesus as God incarnate and emphasizes His divinity.

Focus of the Gospel of John

Focuses on Jesus as God incarnate and emphasizes His divinity.

Audience of the Gospel of John

Audience is all Christians.

Difference between Synoptic Gospels and John's Gospel

Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) share a common vision focusing on Jesus' humanity; John focuses on His divinity.

How were the Gospels written down?

Written between 65-

. Writers used oral traditions and eyewitness accounts to organize the life of Jesus into written form.

Nativity

The birth of Jesus Christ.

Emmanuel

"God with us."

Magi

"Wise men" who followed a star to find Jesus.

Epiphany

The feast that celebrates the mystery of Christ's manifestation as the savior of the world.

Logos

Means "Word." The Father created everything by His eternal Word, Jesus (the Word of God).

Incarnation

When the Son, the Word of God, took on human nature (became flesh).

Fiat

"Let it be"; Mary's YES to God's will.

Lent

The liturgical season of 40 days that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal mystery on Holy Thursday evening.

Annunciation

When the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary and says: "You will conceive in your womb & bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus" (Lk. 1:31).

Mary

Mother of Jesus.

Joseph

Adoptive father to Jesus.

Gabriel

Angel who tells Elizabeth and Zechariah they will have a child named John who will prepare the people for the Lord; also tells Mary she will carry the Son of God, Jesus.

Zechariah

A priest in the Temple, husband to Elizabeth, father of John the Baptist.

Elizabeth

Mary's relative, wife of Zechariah, mother of John the Baptist.

John the Baptist

Jesus' cousin who first recognizes Jesus' presence while still in the womb of Elizabeth.

Peter

Disciple who betrayed Jesus three times.

Main similarity between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant

Like the Ark, Mary holds the presence of God, making her the New Ark of the Covenant.

Matthew's Genealogy

Written to a Jewish audience; emphasizes Jesus as the promised Messiah, legal heir of Joseph; includes 4 women (Ruth, Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba) to show inclusion of Gentiles and sinners.

Luke's Genealogy

Written to Gentiles; traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam to show Jesus as the Savior of all humanity; likely biological lineage through Mary's father (Heli).

Luke's Infancy Narrative

Focuses on shepherds, manger scene, Mary's perspective, Annunciation and Visitation, Mary's genealogy.

Matthew's Infancy Narrative

Focuses on the Magi (wise men), gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, Joseph's perspective, angel's dreams, flight to Egypt, massacre of the innocents.

Meaning of Bethlehem

Bethlehem means "house of bread." Jesus was born in a manger, which is an open trough for animals to eat from, symbolizing Jesus as the Bread of Life.

Gold (Three Gifts of the Magi)

Kingship, monarchy.

Frankincense (Three Gifts of the Magi)

Priesthood, worship.

Myrrh (Three Gifts of the Magi)

Foreshadows Jesus' suffering and death (used to prepare for burial).

Reason for Holy Family fleeing to Egypt

King Herod ordered the Massacre of the Innocents because he feared the newborn Messiah would overthrow him. An angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt.

Jesus in the Temple

Teaching the Rabbis.

When did Jesus' public ministry begin?

At about 30 years old, when He was baptized.

Who baptized Jesus?

John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

Did Jesus need to be baptized?

Jesus did not need baptism because He was sinless.

How are all three Persons of the Trinity present at Jesus' baptism?

God the Father speaks from Heaven, the Son (Jesus) is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove.

Three pillars of Lent

Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.

Prayer

Deepening relationship with God and preparing for baptism by reflecting on Jesus' Passion.

Fasting

Abstaining from meat and other foods on certain days (Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Fridays of Lent).

Almsgiving

Giving money, goods, or time to the poor and others in need.

Rabbi

A Jewish teacher who was well-educated in scripture.

Disciple

Learner.

Kingdom of God

Jesus' primary message: God's rule has come, triumphing over evil and death.

Sermon on the Mount

A section in Matthew's Gospel where Jesus teaches how to live; Jesus is our model of holiness.

Beatitudes

The fullest expression of the Law; the way to supreme happiness found only in God.

Parable

A short story used to teach a moral lesson.

Levite

A Jew from the tribe of Levi, responsible for Temple duties.

Samaritan

A resident of Samaria, despised by Jews.

Paschal

Passover.

Passion/Patior

To suffer.

Paschal Mystery

Jesus' work of redemption through His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Protoevangelium

God's first promise to send a Savior, told to Adam and Eve.

Ascension

Jesus' glorified body returning to God the Father's right hand.

How is Jesus' teaching different from other rabbis?

He taught with authority, speaking truth plainly, not just quoting past teachers.

How does a disciple follow their rabbi?

Disciples follow the rabbi everywhere, learning from his words and deeds.

What is the relationship between Samaritans and Jews?

Samaritans were despised by Jews; Jews believed touching dead bodies caused ritual impurity requiring purification.

What is the moral sense of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

We must love all people as neighbors, showing compassion especially to those in need.

What is the allegorical sense of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

The robbed man = Adam/sinners, the priest and Levite = Old Testament priesthood, the Good Samaritan = Jesus, the inn = the Church where healing and salvation continue through sacraments.

Summarize the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

A younger son wastes his inheritance, returns repentant, and is welcomed joyfully by his father, while the older son struggles with jealousy.

What is the significance of the younger son's request and the father's response?

The son's request is like rejecting his father's presence; the father's forgiveness shows God's unconditional love and welcoming sinners.

How does Jesus compare to Moses in the Sermon on the Mount?

Jesus is the new Moses, giving the new law from a mountain just as Moses gave the Old Law.

What are the 4 kinds of miracles Jesus performed?

Healing, exorcism, nature miracles, and raising the dead.

What is the greatest miracle?

The incarnation and redemption through Jesus' death and resurrection.

How is Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross a 'Passover'?

It frees us from sin and death, like the Passover freed the Israelites; Jesus is the new Lamb of God.

Why was Jesus coming to Jerusalem?

To celebrate the Jewish Passover.

Eucharist

Really Jesus' Body and Blood—He truly gives Himself in the Eucharist.

Sacraments instituted at the Last Supper

Eucharist and Holy Orders.

Jesus' Agony in the Garden

He experiences intense agony, sweating blood, knowing what He will endure.

Accusation against Jesus

Blasphemy.

Pilate's condemnation of Jesus

Claiming to be a King, seen as a political threat.

Who helps Jesus carry His Cross?

Simon of Cyrene.

Entry into Jerusalem

Palm Sunday.

Jesus' Death

Good Friday.

Jesus' Resurrection

Easter Sunday.

Lectio Divina

"Sacred Reading." An ancient Benedictine prayer tradition of reading and meditating on Scripture.

Liturgy of the Hours

Prayer that sanctifies the day and all human activity.

Liturgy

"Public work" of the people, through which Christ continues to save us by celebrating the Paschal Mystery.

Liturgical Calendar

The Church's yearly celebration of the Lord's birth, life, death, and resurrection.

Psalms

A collection of prayers in the Old Testament.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The part of Mass offering the Son to the Father, and ourselves to the Father.

Liturgy of the Word

The part of Mass that includes readings from the Gospels, Old Testament, and Psalms.

What is prayer?

A vital and personal relationship with the living and true God.