Theology I FINAL 2024-25 Notes
Key Social Groups and Figures
Sadducees: A powerful social group that recognized only the Torah as authoritative.
Pharisees: Known for strict adherence to Jewish law and separation from others.
Essenes: Rejected temple sacrifices, viewing the priesthood as corrupt.
Samaritans: A group of spiritually corrupt Israelites mixed with pagans, considered heretics by Jews.
Magi: Traveled from the East to seek Jesus during Herod's reign.
David: The second king of Israel, ancestor to Jesus, fulfilling God's covenant by establishing Jesus's claim to the Davidic Kingdom.
John the Baptist: The first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
At Jesus’s baptism, the heavens opened, the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and a voice proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Gifts of the Holy Spirit: A list will be attached to the exam; understand what they are and how they are used.
Fruits of the Holy Spirit: A list will be attached to the exam; understand what they are and how they are used.
Entering the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus taught how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven through parables and the Beatitudes.
The Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes were given during the Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount
Three Themes:
The Beatitudes
The Perfection of Mosaic Law
Purity of Intentions
(Reference: C 4 Pages 139-143)
Types of Parables
Similitudes: Compare the Kingdom of Heaven to familiar objects. Examples include the Mustard Seed, the Leaven, the Hidden Treasure, the Good Shepherd.
Short, simple comparisons using familiar things to illustrate a larger truth.
Often begin with "The kingdom of heaven is like…"
Parabolic Sayings: Short, one-liner statements that convey a message. Examples include "The kingdom of heaven is like a storehouse owner" and "Unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Brief, pithy statements packing a lot of meaning.
Full Parables: Complete stories with a clear moral message, involving human characters and everyday situations. Examples include the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, and the Wise and Foolish Builders.
Parables for the Exam
The Mustard Seed:
The mustard seed grows from the smallest seed into a large plant, symbolizing the growth of the Kingdom of God from small beginnings (Jesus and the disciples) to a worldwide following.
The birds represent Gentile people, indicating that the Kingdom of God will include other nations, not just the Jews (Mark 4:30-32).
The Tax Collector and the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14):
A Pharisee boasts about his righteousness, while a tax collector humbly asks for God's mercy.
Jesus says the tax collector, recognizing his sinfulness, is justified rather than the self-righteous Pharisee.
Lesson: Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
The Good Shepherd (Matthew 18:12-14):
A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one that has strayed.
He rejoices more over the one found than over the ninety-nine who did not stray.
Lesson: It is not the will of the heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost; all are equal in the eyes of the Lord.
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37):
A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked and left half-dead.
A priest and a Levite pass by without helping.
A Samaritan helps the man, bandaging his wounds, taking him to an inn, and paying for his care.
Lesson: Love thy neighbor; everyone is your neighbor, and all people have sacred worth.
The Virgins and The Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13):
Ten virgins await the bridegroom; five are wise and bring extra oil, five are foolish and do not.
The bridegroom is delayed, and the foolish virgins run out of oil and cannot enter the wedding feast.
Lesson: Stay awake and be prepared, for you know neither the day nor the hour of the Lord's return.
The Parable of the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16):
Theme: God’s grace and mercy are for everyone, regardless of how long they have believed.
Type: Full parable
Characters: Owner, Workers
Why are some of the laborers upset? They thought they should get paid more because they worked longer
Who does the landowner represent? God the Father
A landowner hires laborers at different times of the day, promising a daily wage.
At the end of the day, all laborers receive the same wage, regardless of how long they worked.
The workers who worked longer are upset, but the landowner reminds them they agreed to the wage.
Lesson: God’s grace and mercy are for everyone, regardless of how long they have believed.
Written Responses/Short Paragraphs or Essays
Describe and discuss who Jesus is, considering his birth, life, teaching, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection.
Discuss what you have learned about the revelation and nature of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in light of the Blessed Trinity.
What are the three basic themes of the Sermon on the Mount? Explain two of the three basic themes of the Sermon on the Mount in terms of achieving and spreading the Kingdom of God.
How can you follow the teachings of the Beatitudes in your daily life? Give three examples.
The natural effects of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are called the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Referring to the attachment, which seems to be the most important to you? How would you use it to help others? Please write in complete sentences
Vocabulary
The Deposit of Faith: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
The Magisterium: The Teaching Authority of the Church.
The Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Matthew and John were apostles and wrote the Gospels of their own accord.
The Last Supper: When Christ gathered with his apostles to celebrate Passover, it was held in the Upper Room, this became known to us as The Mass or the Last Supper.
Sacraments and Other Religions
Baptism and Confirmation are both Sacraments of Initiation; Confirmation completes baptism grace.
How is Christ viewed by other religions?
As a Prophet: Islam
As an enlightened individual: Buddhism
As a historical figure.
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost, a Jewish feast 50 days after Passover.
They began speaking in tongues (Glossolalia).
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
The natural effects of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are called the fruits of the Holy Spirit; these are supernatural acts or works that flow joyfully from the Christian life.
The soul begins to experience peace and freedom that God has won for us.
St. Paul lists nine fruits, and the Tradition of the Church includes modesty, chastity, and goodness.
LOVE
Helps us love God and neighbor as we ought.
JOY
An inner spirit of happiness despite troubles and tragedy.
PEACE
Comes from the awareness of God's presence within us.
PATIENCE
A virtue that is lacking terribly in modern society, where instant gratification seems to be the goal of so many people. If we love and trust God and know the peace that only he can give us, we will find ourselves becoming more patient with ourselves and with others.
KINDNESS
Comes from recognizing Christ in every person.
GENEROSITY
.
Is a measure of our response to all that God has given us. Whatever good we have is meant to be shared-whether it is our faith, our time, or our wealth. The generous person will recognize that carrying out the mission of Christ in this world means having a very generous spirit toward those around us who are in need
FAITHFULNESS
The fruit that mitigates against some of the insidious influences that can whittle away at our relationship with Christ. Laziness, lukewarmness (a certain apathy in spiritual practice), and peer pressure can tear us away from the practice of our Faith in small ways that can rapidly become big ways. When we begin to rationalize not making time to pray or when we fail to stand up for the truths of the Faith, we have begun to waver in our fidelity. The Holy Spirit can help us maintain the faithfulness demanded of us by Christ.
GENTLENESS
Related to kindness, patience, and love. A gentle disposition is necessary if we are to treat others charitably and with respect for their feelings. The opposite of gentleness would be a general insensitivity, or the attempt to control others by threat or intimidation.
SELF-CONTROL
Means having a control over our passions. This virtue involves avoiding unjust or disproportionate anger, gluttony, drunkenness, and sins against purity. As St. Paul reminds us, the body is a "temple of the Holy Spirit," and our thoughts and actions with regard to the body should reflect that divine presence.
MODESTY
Means avoiding the sin of pride or vanity by boasting or seeking praise from others. It also means modesty in how we dress, act, and treat others.
CHASTITY
Means to practice purity within one's state of life. For priests and religious who have taken vows, as well as for unmarried persons, chastity means avoiding inappropriate sexual expression. For a married couple, it means ensuring that every sexual expression is open to new life and an act of love (rather
than primary an act or lust) snared with each other exclusively and with proper respect for the church's
teachings on sexuality.
GOODNESS
Means having an essentially good nature. The Holy Spirit can help us maintain our desire
to do only good and to detest all that is evil. This fruit helps us consider the well-being of each person,
the common good of the community, and our own pursuit of virtue in every action or decision we make.
A person who lives a profound love for God will manifest goodness in all of his or her thoughts, words,
and actions.
People who possess these gifts are concerned for others and do not begrudge others' success.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom: Deep, loving understanding of God and His works; enjoying the presence of God.
Understanding: Grasping the mysteries of faith more profoundly; discerning divine truths.
Counsel: Guiding our decisions to align with God's will; making wise decisions.
Knowledge: Recognizing God's presence in creation and using it wisely; using created things wisely.
Fortitude: Strength to overcome obstacles in our faith; overcoming obstacles.
Piety: Deep reverence and love for God and others; reverence for God and others.
Fear of the Lord: Profound awe, respect, and reverence for God; serving God faithfully.
The Sermon on the Mount
Jesus' universal invitation to the Kingdom, perfecting the Mosaic Law with the commandment of love.
Insists on conversion of heart: reconciliation, love of enemies, prayer for persecutors, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else (CCC 2608).
Like Moses on Mt. Sinai, Jesus gives the New Law, not abolishing the Old but perfecting it with love.
The Decalogue, the Sermon on the Mount, and apostolic catechesis describe the paths to the Kingdom (CCC 1724).
The Beatitudes
Criteria for discerning spirits and finding the right path.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Example: Acknowledging dependence on God
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Example: Comforting someone who is grieving
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Example: Respond passively/gently to insults
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Example: Seeking justice for everyone
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Example: Forgiving someone who wronged you
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Example: Being honest in thoughts or actions
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Example: Reconciling broken relationships
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Here's a breakdown of the meanings behind the provided Beatitudes: 1. **Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth:** This means that those who are gentle, humble, and patient will receive God's blessings and find true fulfillment. 2. **Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied:** This signifies that those who earnestly seek justice and moral perfection will be fulfilled by God. 3. **Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy:** This indicates that those who show compassion and forgiveness to others will receive God's mercy in return. 4. **Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God:** This means that those who are sincere, honest, and undivided in their devotion to God will have a clear vision of His presence. 5. **Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God:** This signifies that those who work to reconcile and bring harmony to relationships will be recognized as children of God. 6. **Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:** This means that those who suffer for doing what is right will be rewarded with eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Example: Remaining faithful despite opposition
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Example: Enduring insults for following Jesus
"Beatitude" means "blessed." Keeping the Beatitudes brings God's love both here and in Heaven.
True happiness is found by denying ourselves, seeking Christ, and helping others to salvation.
The Beatitudes describe how we can best follow the example of Christ.
A pure heart is a loving heart in communion with Jesus Christ.
The Perfection of the Mosaic Law
Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not abolish it, situating commandments in the context of love.
Commandments become positive affirmations of love.
Jesus distinguished his teachings from the Pharisees, who knew the Law but missed its spirit.
Jesus repeatedly declared, "It was said of old…, but I say to you…"
THE LAW OF MOSES
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
Divorce permitted.
Do not swear falsely.
An eye for an eye.
Love your neighbor, hate your enemy.
CHRIST'S LAW OF LOVE
Reconcile with your brother.
Do not look at a woman lustfully.
Marriage is permanent.
Say simply "yes" or "no."
Turn the other cheek.
Love your enemy.
The Law of Moses was perfected by Christ's message of unlimited love.
We must learn to live the teachings of Christ to reach perfection.
Motivated by Love: Purity of Intentions
Perform good deeds for the love of God and neighbor, not for praise or admiration.
Give alms, fast, and pray privately, seeking only the will of God.
Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before
you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men.
Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left
hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father
who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for
they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by
men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room
and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will
reward you. And in praying do not cheap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that
they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need
before you ask him. (Mt 6:1-8)
Hearts cannot be divided; seek treasure in Heaven, not on earth; cannot serve God and money.
Be single-minded in serving God; wealth can distract from true riches.
Those who give up everything for Christ will be rewarded a hundredfold.
The Last Supper
Four days after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples
in the Upper Room. It was a Passover like no other, what today we call the Last Supper. In the course of the
evening meal, Jesus gave his "commandment of love" and provided a dramatic example of how to love and
serve others. He also instituted the Eucharist, a sharing in his own Body and Blood, and established his
priesthood. Later that night, he prepared himself for his coming Passion in the Garden of Gethsemane and
was arrested, betrayed by one of his own Apostles:The Washing of Feet and the New Commandment
Jesus tied a towel around his waist, filled a basin with water, and began to wash and dry the feet of his Apostles. The message becomes clearer a short time later when he revealed to the Apostles his new commandment of love:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love
one another; even as I have loved you, that you also
love one another. By this all men will know that you
are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
The Eucharist
Jesus left many signs and teachings that foreshadowed the Eucharist.
At that Passover supper, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and distributed it to his Apostles, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Then, with the blessing cup of wine after supper, he proclaimed, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
God declared that the firstborn of every person and beast in Egypt would be killed. God reinforced the request with a series of ten plagues upon
the land of Egypt. To the Hebrews, however, he gave these instructions through Moses: each household was to take an
unblemished year-old male lamb or goat, slaughter it, and then apply some of its blood to the doorposts of
their home. They were told to roast the lamb and eat it that night along with unleavened bread and bitter
herbs. They were to dress as though they are ready to flee their homes quickly. The feast became known as
Passover, because on that night, the Lord "passed over" the homes of the faithful Hebrews who marked their
doorposts with the lamb's blood.In the new Passover meal of Christ, it is the sinless Jesus who is the unblemished and sinless Lamb of God,
who sheds his blood and dies in order to save his people:
Passion and Death
Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Roman authorities. Pilate had inscribed upon Jesus’ Cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King
of the Jews.”Jesus died on the Cross. His body was taken down and laid to rest in a tomb. The tomb was sealed by a
large stone and placed under Roman guard. In his human soul united to his divine Person, the dead Christ
went to the realm of the dead. He went there to open Heaven's gates for the souls of the just who had gone
before him.
The three core themes of the Sermon on the Mount are:
The Beatitudes: These are a series of blessings that describe the qualities of those who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. They outline a path to true happiness through humility, mourning, meekness, seeking righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and enduring persecution.
The Perfection of Mosaic Law: Jesus fulfills the Old Testament law by reinterpreting it through the lens of love. He emphasizes the spirit of the law over the letter, urging his followers to go beyond external compliance and cultivate inner transformation.
Purity of Intentions: This theme stresses the importance of performing good deeds, such as giving alms, fasting, and praying, with a sincere desire to please God rather than to gain the approval of others. It calls for a focus on inner motivation and a commitment to seeking God's will in all actions.