CLE quarter one

Rediscovering Jesus’ story of the foundation of the church

Caesaria Philippi - Where Jesus met his disciples, Located at the foot of Mount Hermon. Described in the gospel as the “Gates of Hades” or “Gates of hell” because of an entrance to a big cave that can be seen.

Haides - Refers to the netherworld, Is called Sheol in Hebrew

• The very site where Jesus founded the church was earlier known as a center for pagan worship. Formerly called the city of Panias, until it became Banias.

• Comes from the Greek god “Pan” meaning “Half man half goat god of fright”, where the word Panic originated.

The gospel story tells us that Jesus founded the church on Peter, the rock. It is believed that the presence of Jesus at the gates of Hades in Caesaria Philippi was a sign of his triumph over evil and death.

Matthew's account - Jesus first asked, “Who do people say that the son of man is?” The disciples answered that people thought of him as Elijah, Jeremiah, or a prophet.  Those responses were far from the truth. Jesus asked them directly “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter then declared “You are the messiah, the son of the living god.” 

Jesus blessed Simon, son of Jonah, and called him by the name Peter. And Jesus would order the disciples to keep his identity as messiah a secret.

Peter - Comes from the Greek terms “Petros” which means stone. And “Petra” Which means rock. Peter is not a Hebrew name, In Hebrew he is Shim’on. In aramaic, Peter is Kepha.Jesus gave him the authority to lead the church. And he became the first known catholic church.

Rock - Denotes an office or a function, the function of the pope as bishop of rome for example, is called the Petrine Office

Church`- The church refers to a place of worship. Church comes from the Latin word ecclesia, Greek ekklesia, and Hebrew qahal. The German word Kirche, means “what belongs to the lord..

Dogmatic Constitution on the church -

Also known as Lumen Gentium. It tells us that Jesus Christ is the light of humanity. Based on Matthew 16:18, Jesus is the founder of the church. 

Pastoral Constitution on the church in the modern world - Gaudium et spes, the church is a community of men and women.

Life and Miracles of St. Benedict

• St. Benedict and St. Scholastica were born in Nursia, Italy Their parents were Anicius Eutropios & Abundantia 

 St. Scholastica - Patron saint of; Benedictine nuns, education, And convulsive children,  and is invoked against storms and rains.

St. Benedict - born c. 480 CE, Nursia [Italy] — died c. 547, Monte Cassino; feast day July 11,    ( formerly March 21)

• St Benedict's Miracles

1. The broken sieve - As Cyrilla, St. Benedict's nurse was using the sieve it broke, To fix it St. Benedict prayed to God and it was miraculously fixed.

2. The Poisoned wine - Benedict, desiring to be alone with God fled to the wilderness of Subiaco and stayed there for 3 years. A monk named “Romanus” from the monastery regularly sent him food. Later on Monks from Vicovaro heard of Benedict’s holiness and invited him to become their superior. they eventually planned to poison him through the wine because they could not tolerate St. Benedict’s Discipline. St. Benedict found out the wine was poisoned because as he prayed, the wine glass shattered.

3. Maurus(12 y/o)  walks on water to save Placid(7 y/o) - As Placid was retrieving water from the river, he fell in and maurus called benedict to save him, Benedict blessed maurus so he could walk on water and save placid.

• Other miracles

• The Mending of the Broken Tray/Sieve

• A glass pitcher is shattered by the Sign of the Cross

• A monk is cured of wandering about during prayer

• At the Saint’s word, water streams down the mountain side

• One of Benedict’s disciples walks on water

• A raven carries off a poisoned loaf of bread

• A heavy rock is lightened by the saint’s prayer

• St. Benedict Medal

• A young monk is crushed under a wall and then restored to life

• Generous supply of flour is discovered in front of the lobby during a famine

• The miraculous discovery of some money saves an unfortunate debtor

• A glass vessel strikes against the rocks without breaking

• An empty cask overflows with oil

• A dead boy is raised back to life

Tracing Jesus’ Paschal Mystery and Pentecost event

Acts of the Apostles - St. Luke's account of the story of beginnings of church. Continuation of his gospel which focuses on Paschal Mystery and life/teachings of Jesus.

• Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after his resurrection appearances, this coincided with Pentecost, which is also called Shavuot

CFC 1300 -  Pentecost. In St. Luke’s Acts, the Church is inaugurated with the spectacular outpouring of the Holy Spirit. All were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4) ( This is when the apostles prayed and the holy spirit came to them)

CFC 1301 - Pentecost is the birthday of the church the holy spirit exersizes these three functions;

1. To give life

2. To unify

3. To move the whole body

• The Risen Lord is present within and among us today in His Spirit.

• The Spirit is the inner source of our life of faith by which we accept Jesus. 

 The CFC enumerates the actions of the holy spirit among us

1. adopts us as children

2. enables us to love as Christ commanded

3. empowers us to bear witness to Christ

4. know the truth

5. draws us into community, unity, and service

6. inspires us to live a truly Christian life.