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
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
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
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...