RE

Definition:
- Purpose of the sacrament: To confess sins and receive Absolution (forgiveness) from God through a priest.
Components:
- Contrition: True sorrow for having sinned, an essential component for receiving forgiveness.
- Confession: The act of naming and admitting specific sins to the priest.
- Penance: Actions taken to make amends for the sins committed, signaling a commitment to change.
Importance:
- Restores the "state of grace" for the individual, allowing them to heal their relationship with God and the community.

Word of God:
- Belief that the Bible is divinely inspired while being written by human authors; acknowledges both divine and human influence in Scripture.
Historical-Critical Method:
- An analytical approach that investigates the context, culture, and authorial intent behind biblical texts to derive deeper meanings.
Literary Genre:
- The necessity of distinguishing between various forms of literature in the Bible, such as history, poetry, law, and parables, to extract spiritual truths.

Definition:
- Not a physical location; rather, it represents the reign of God within individuals' hearts and actions.
Characteristics:
- Depicted by values such as justice, peace, and unconditional love.
Status:
- Described as "already but not yet"; initiated by Jesus and will be fully realized at the end of time.

Marginalised:
- Individuals on the fringes of society, including the poor, lepers, tax collectors, and sinners.
Inclusion:
- Jesus' actions, such as eating with social outcasts, demonstrate a rejection of taboos and an affirmation of their inclusion in God's family.
Gentiles and Women:
- Notable outreach by Jesus to non-Jews (Gentiles) and notable elevation of women in roles, exemplified by Mary Magdalene as the first witness to the Resurrection.

Margaret and Barry Mizen:
- Parents of Jimmy Mizen, who was murdered in 2008; they exemplify reconciliation and non-violence.
- Their refusal to seek revenge demonstrates a commitment to preaching forgiveness and peace, acting as a living example of the Gospel message.

Parables:
- Earthly stories with heavenly meanings employed by Jesus to convey complex theological concepts.

Signs:
- Miracles are interpreted as signs indicating the Kingdom of God entering the world, not mere entertainment or trickery.
Power over Sickness:
- Miracles reveal Jesus' divinity and emphasize His ability to restore human wholeness through healing.
Anointing of the Sick:
- A sacrament offering grace, peace, and courage to individuals suffering from illness or the elderly, highlighting God's care in times of suffering.

Corporal Works of Mercy:
- Activities that serve the physical needs of others, including elder care, feeding the hungry, and sheltering the homeless.
Spiritual Works of Mercy:
- Actions targeting emotional and spiritual needs of individuals, such as comforting the sorrowful and forgiving injuries.

Origin:
- Suffering is often connected to Original Sin and the inherent gift of Free Will, which allows people to choose between good and evil.
Meaning:
- Many Christians believe that suffering can lead to spiritual growth and transformation; also, they hold that God is present in their suffering, providing comfort and aid.
Suffering Servant:
- Reference to Jesus as depicted in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, portraying Him as one who suffers silently to effect salvation for others.

Types of Suffering:
- Jesus underwent various forms of suffering, including:
- Physical: Scourging and crucifixion, which were intense physical punishments.
- Emotional: Betrayal by friends and abandonment by followers, indicating profound human pain.
- Spiritual: A feeling of forsakenness, culminating in His cry of abandonment during crucifixion ("My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?").
Purpose:
- To bridge the gap between God and humanity created by sin, this act is known as Atonement, emphasizing the integral relationship between suffering, redemption, and divine love.