Theology 12: McDermott Chapters 1 & 2, and Grace

mystery

"A truth which, though it is not against reason, so far transcends it that no created intelligence could ever discover it, and which, even when it is revealed, is in its nature impenetrable by any created intelligence"

characteristics of mystery

1) does not contradict reason 2) transcends reason 3) is suprarational 4) goes beyond what a finite and created intellect can comprehend

the trinity, the incarnation, and the eucharist

The three main mysteries of the faith include...

mysteries expressed in the structure of a paradox

1) God is both one and three 2) Jesus is both fully human and fully divine 3) Mary is both virgin and mother 4) The cross brings about both death and life

one and three

God is both...

fully human and fully divine

Jesus is both...

virgin and mother

Mary is both...

life and death

The cross brings about both...

divine, angelic, and human

What are the three kinds of persons?

divine persons

Pure spirit with intellect with will; uncreated

angelic persons

Pure spirit with intellect and will; created by God

human persons

Body and soul with intellect and will; created by God

soul

Created by God
and given to us at conception, it is what makes us human and is a divine gift only to human beings.

soul

Is immortal, and the innermost aspect of ourselves. It will live on after our death and allows us to be in communion with God that is not limited by time and space.

Why did God create us?

To know him, to love him, and to serve him in this world to be happy with him forever in heaven.

Union with God

What is the goal or end of life?

reasons for the incarnation

1) To save us by reconciling us to God 2) That we might know God's love 3) To be our model of holiness 4) To make us partakers of the divine nature

grace

A supernatural gift of God bestowed on us through the merits of Jesus Christ for our salvation

grace

The free gift of God's life and friendship

grace that justifies

The gracious gift that God gives us to make us participants in his Trinitarian life and able to act by his love. It is referred to as "habitual" "sanctifying" or "deifying" grace.

habitual grace

Stable, resides in the soul, and is not transient

sanctifying grace (deifying grace)

Confers on our souls a new life, that is, a sharing in the life of God himself (makes us holy)

sanctifying grace

the principal of our supernatural life

in Baptism, the Eucharist, and in the sacrament of Penance

When do we receive sanctifying grace?

deifying grace

Divinizes us, makes us like God

frees us from sin and sanctifies our souls

What are the effects of justification?

actual, sacramental, and charisms

What other kinds of graces are there?

actual graces

Enlightens our mind and strengthens our will to do good and avoid evil (gifts for specific circumstances)

sacramental graces

Gifts proper to each sacrament...

special graces, or charisms

Gifts that are intended for the common good of the Church...

characteristics and effects of sanctifying grace

a) stays in the soul
b) makes the soul holy and pleasing to God
c) gives the soul supernatural life
d) is supernatural life
e) confers on the soul a new life
f) heals the soul of sin
g) gives us a participation in the life of God
h) elevates and perfects the soul
i) makes us a child of God
j) makes us a temple of God
k) enables us to live in heaven
is necessary for salvation

characteristics and effects of actual grace

a) is a supernatural push or encouragement
b) is transient (i.e., it is passing)
c) does not live in the soul
d) acts on the soul from outside, so to speak
e) gets the will and intellect moving so we can seek out and keep sanctifying grace
f) helps us to act as a child of God
g) enlightens the mind and strengthens the will to do good and avoid evil
h) given to us for specific circumstances
i) moves us to have supernatural life restored to us in penance when lost through mortal sin
j) brings about an increase in sanctifying grace by helping us perform virtuous acts

To be in perfect and absolute union with God, the source of all life

Why do we need sanctifying grace to be able to live in heaven?

deadly

What does the word "mortal" mean?

Because they are deadly and kill supernatural life or sanctifying grace

Why do we refer to some sins as being "mortal"?

nothing, but they weaken us

What do venial sins do to supernatural life?

There is nothing we can do to regain it on our own. In order to regain supernatural life, we need to receive actual graces from God.

If we lose supernatural life, can we regain it on our own? Explain.

charisms

Special gifts of the Holy Spirit which are bestowed on individuals for the good of others, the needs of the world, and in particular for the building up of the Church

healing, miracles, tongues, and prophecy

Examples of charisms mentioned in 1 Cor 12:4-11

sacramental grace

Grace of the Holy Spirit which is given by Christ and is proper to each sacrament.

This grace helps the faithful in their journey toward holiness and so assists the Church as well to grow in charity and in her witness to the world

graces of state

The help God gives to particular ministries in the Church

grace

the life of god in the soul

sanctifying grace

the principal of our supernatural life

grace

restores God's image in us and enables us to reach our final end

sacraments and prayer

What are the two main channels of grace?

grace

is a gift to be received and can never be earned

opposed

grace and nature are not...

human nature

sanctifying grace does not violate...

everyone, even if they are not Christian

God sends actual graces to...

effects of deifying grace

justification, divine indwelling of the Trinity, divine filial adoption, deification

justification

the act of being made right with God, sins are forgiven and forgotten, and friendship with God is restored

should determine how we act

Our identify as children of God is fundamental to who we are and...

deification

the act of being made into a god

deifying grace

through this grace we become partakers of God's nature beginning in this life

Baptism

the process of deification begins in...