Confirmation ch 5

What does it mean that we have received a spirit of adoption?

• We are with the holy spirit, the trinity everybody has adopted us, we are a part of the family and body of christ. 

What do Pauls words to the Christians in Rome do to us?

•  Paul's words to the Christitans in Rome encourage us. He is reminding them that through Jesus’ death and the Spirit they received they have really become God’s children. Gentiles and Jews could now call God, Abba or Father. The letters to the Romans discuss how the effects of Adam's sin have been reversed in Jesus- the new Adam. It also explains how the Genitals endure and are overcome by the hope that they have been given through the “spirit of adoption”.  

Because we are adopted children of God we are able to

• use our talents in spite of natural weaknesses. 

When things are hard the spirit

intercedes, helping us to be good, even holy. 

As children of God we receive through the Spirit, the

theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and love.

Why are they called Theological virtues?

These virtues have their source in God, are infused in us by him, and as we grow in using them, we are drawn more deeply into the mystery of God. That is why they are called Theological virtues.

When practicing these virtues what does it do for us overtime?

•  Practicing these virtues strengthens us overtime and helps us make good decisions and give the best of ourselves.  

Faith-

• God’s gift to you is the ability to believe in God and give your life to him 

• It makes you able to trust God completely and to accept all that God has revealed and teaches through the Catholic church 

Hope-

• the desire for all of the good things God has planned for you. Hope gives you confidence that God will always be with you and that you will live with God forever in heaven 

Charity/ Love-

• Leads you to love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself. This love involves more than just your feelings. It is the way you think about God and act towards him. Charity brings all the virtues together in harmony. So faith, hope and love remain but the greatest of these is love.   

How do you require cardinal virtues

• These are the virtues that you require from human effort

Cardinal comes from the Latin word

cardo which means hinge

What type of strengths depend on the cardinal virtues

• All of your moral strengths depend on these virtues 

Prudence-

helps you to decide what is good and then to choose to do it. It leads you to stop and think before you act

Justice-

• Leads you to respect the rights of others and to give what is rightfully theirs. They just person considers the needs of others and always tries to be fair

Fortitude-

Gives you the courage to do what is right even when it is very difficult. It provides you the strength to resist the temptations you face and even when it is difficult to do what you know is right

Temperance-

• Helps you balance what you want with what you need. It helps you moderate your desire for enjoyment and builds self control. 

What do the Theological and Cardinal virtues do if you practice them?

The cardinal and theological virtues are strengths that can improve your life if you practice them. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which you received at baptism help you to live a life of virtue. These gifts are strengthened in Confirmation. They help you keep your friendship with God strong and guide you in critical situations when you find it hard to make decisions. They help you respond to God fully and lovingly

Know God’s Will:

Wisdom, understanding, right, judgement, knowledge 

Wisdom:

Enables you to see life from God’s pov and to recognize the real value of persons, events, and things. 

Understanding:

Grows through prayer and the reading of the scriptures.

Right Judgment- Council 

• Helps you seek advice and be open to the advice of others. It also helps you give advice. You are able to help others with their problems, you speak up and encourage them to do the right things

Courage- Fortitude

• Enables you to stand up for your beliefs

• To live as a follower with jesus

• With this gift you have the inner strength to do what is right in the face of difficulties and to endure suffering with faith.

Reverence- Piety

• Gift that helps you love and worship God

• Call us to be faithful in your relationship with God and others.

• Helps be respectful and generous to others. 

Knowledge-

Helps you to know what God asks of you and how you should respond. You come to know God. You come to know who you are and the real value of things through the experience of your life 

Wonder and Awe

Fear of the Lord 

Helps you recognize the greatness of God and your dependence on him. It leads you to marvel at God’s incredible love for you.