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What is the place of the Church in Salvation History? How did it begin? Saan
nga ba talaga galing ang Simbahan? O Kanino siya galing? What is really the
Church? Is it just the building? Who are the Church? What is the mission of
the CHURCH? Why do we have the Church?
Knowing these shall lead us to think of the nature of the Church. Action
follows being, so what is the Church?
The Church reflects Christ (Where Christ is, there is the Church). The Church is a
mystery of Gods love.
Everything redounds to the love of the Father to all of us, to the world, filled with
sinfulness. The perfect sign and sacrament of that love is Jesus Christ. That is why
Jesus is also called the sacrament of Gods love to the world. (The Primordial
Sacrament)
The Church continues what Jesus has established.
Ways of understanding the word Church
family of the Lord
those called out, convocation, assembly
Gods Chosen People in the Old Testament
the community of Catholics that assemble to worship
the local gathering of Catholics in a particular neighborhood
the worldwide gathering of those who have faith in Jesus Christ
The Church as a Mystery of Gods Love
The Church is both a means and a goal of the great mystery of Gods love
for us
The Mystery of the Church
Pope Paul VI called the Church a reality filled with Gods hidden presence.
The Church is a mystery and a sacrament where the human and the divine
meet.
This means that the nature of the Church is beyond the capacity of sheer
intellect. (Where reason ends, faith begins)
Each Person of the Blessed Trinity had a role in the planning of the
Church:
God the Father created the world which foreshadowed the Church
Jesus Christ established the Church on Peter and the Twelve Apostles
The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost to make the Church holy and lead her in
its mission of preaching the Good News to all
Pentecost
The Church became visible to the whole world.
The Holy Spirit came to make the Church holy and to lead her in her mission.
The Church Welcomes Gentiles
Salvation was intended for Gentiles as well as Jews.
By the end of the first century, Christianity was a religion for both Jews and
Gentiles.
St. Paul
Saul: a tentmaker, a Pharisee, a Roman citizen, a persecutor of Christians, an
educated man.
Paul: the greatest missionary for the early Church.
The Apostle to the Gentiles.
Some images of the Church:
Pilgrim continuous journey to God.
Gods family each member is important and has a role to play. It speaks
of belongingness
Gods building and farm God continuously plows it, trims it. She is
special in His eyes.
Our Mother nourishes us in many ways, e.g. in the Mass, we are
nourished by the Word and by the Eucharist.
Christs vineyard Jesus is the vine, we are the branches.
A visible society and spiritual community
Organized hierarchically and the mystical body of Christ
An earthly community blessed with heavenly riches
The Flock of Christ Jesus is the Good Shepherd
The Bride of Christ in procession to meet the Bridegroom, Jesus. She is
seeking unity with Christ.
Four Images of the Church from the CCC
1) Body of Christ
A communion of people with God
The unity is achieved especially in the holy Eucharist
Because of Christ we are linked in a special way to the poor, persecuted, and
suffering
Each Catholic is important to the health of the Body of Christ
2) Temple of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit dwells in the Church to give it life
The Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church
The Church is the sacrament of the Holy Trinitys communion with us (CCC; 747)
The Holy Spirit works through its members to continue the work of Salvation
3) Sacrament
Jesus and his Holy Spirit are present
The profession of one faith/creed which goes back to the time of the Apostles
Divine worship celebrated in common, especially in the Seven Sacraments
The succession of bishops from the time of the Apostles to today
Communion of Saints
On Earth - The Pilgrim Church
In Purgatory - The Church Suffering
In Heaven - The Church in Glory
The Church is Catholic
1. Members of the Catholic Church are baptized Christians who: accept Jesus as
Lord and Savior accept the entire system of Salvation Christ left the Church
continue Christs work of Salvation
2. Catholics minister God in the Church in different ways:
the hierarchy the laity
the consecrated life
3. Baptism into the Church makes each
Catholic a child of God with equal dignity
Three categories of membership in the Church
The hierarchy the order of ministry established by Christ on the Apostles
and their successors
The laity any baptized Catholics who have not received Holy Orders nor
belong to a religious state
The consecrated or religious life can be members of the hierarchy or
laypeople and include hermits, consecrated virgins, secular institutes,
different apostolic societies, and men and women in religious orders
Laity and Religious
The laity includes any baptized Catholic who has not received Holy Orders,
and who is not a member of a religious order.
Members of religious orders take vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty.
Catholics share in the three ministries of Christ
PRIESTLY (sanctifying) - Offering yourself with Christ in his sacrifice to the
Father
PROPHETIC (teaching) - Becoming witnesses of Christs truth to the world
KINGLY (governing) - Serving those in need
Ways the Pope and bishops exercise their prophetic role:
1. Magisterial teaching the task of the Magisterium is to proclaim the Gospel, build
up Christian love and service, and see the proper administration of the sacraments
2. Ecumenical councils such councils bring the Pope and bishops together to offer
unified teachings
3. Infallibility when it comes to essential matters of faith and morals, the Church is
free from error
Godbless!