The Divine Invitation and Call to Communion

Telos - somethings purpose or end goal

Our ultimate desire is infinite. We are made for God. God fills out infinite desire with himself.

God reveals himself through supernatural and natural revelation.

We respond in faith: Yes, I believe.

We are made in the image and likeness of God, therefore:

1) Intellect to know, will to choose

2) unique manifestation of God’s love

3) we have infinite value and we will live forever

4) we are made for communion

5) We have Great Dignity that can never be taken away

God loves the Son eternally, the Son loves God eternally. This eternal exchange of love creates the Holy Spirit.

What is Communion? A friendship or relationship with God through prayer and the Eucharist

Gifts of the Original Man: 1) clear intellect 2) strong will 3) ordered emotions 4) no sickness or death

1) Clear intellect: intimate understanding and knowledge of God

2) Strong will: no attraction to sin, the ability to love

3) Ordered emotions: Not no sadness, but perfect balance of positive and negative

4) No sickness or death: immortality

4 FOLD COMMUNION: With God, With Self, With Others, With Creation

Man is made in God’s image and likeness

Crescendo of Creation: Eve was made from Adam’s side —> They are alike in dignity

freedom: the ability to choose good

“tohuwabohu” - formless void

God gives the Earth form, then fills it

Covenant: an oath which makes us part of God’s family

God’s Plan for creation: He creates us out of pure love and goodness, he draws us back to him to share in this love and goodness.

Message of the biblical story of creation: Adam and Eve were made for each other, we were created just before the 7th day: we were created for rest

We are the Crown of Creation

The Fall

Everything was good at first, we lived in communion with God.

The serpent is extremely cunning

He does not challenge God’s existence, but His trustworthiness

The first sin was disobedience, it was a lack of trust and love

The Father is heartbroken by sin

love requires sacrifice

State of Concupiscence: tendency/ attraction to sin

We must learn to sacrifice

The Proto Evangleium: The first gospel —> God promises Jesus through Mary

The Covenant of Creation

Mediator: Adam and Eve

Family Group: One Holy Couple

Sign: The Sabbath - 7th day

Promise: be fruitful and multiply

Prayer: Father, you created me to rest in your heart

The Kerygma

The Heart of the Gospel Message

1) We are created for Communion

2) We sin

3) God offers us forgiveness and salvation through his son

4) We are invited to turn back to Him