The Church as Sacrament of Salvation

The Church as Sacrament of Salvation

Chapter Objectives The student will be able to understand: • The Church as the Sacrament of Salvation • The Church as mystery • The Church as Sacrament of Communion • The hierarchical structure of the Church • The office of the papacy • The Roman Curia • The office of bishop • Ecumenical Councils • The office of priest • The office of deacon • The Magisterium • The Deposit of Faith • The development of doctrine • Infallibility • The sanctification of the members of the Catholic Church • Salvation of those outside the Church • Evangelization

Keys to Chapter 4 • The Church is both the sign and the means of the salvation of the world. • Christ gave the Church a hierarchical authority to teach, rule, and sanctify all the members. • The bishops, led by the Pope, exercise a servant leadership with the help of priests and deacons. • The Church both teaches and sanctifies.

For Discussion • What does it mean to say that the Church is the Sacrament of Salvation? • What is the meaning of the word church? • How is the Church both visible and invisible? • What is the role of the papacy in the Church? • What are the three levels of the Church’s hierarchy, and what is the function of each? • What does it mean when we say, “Outside the Church there is no salvation”?

The Churchas Sacrament of Salvation

Church • To what does the word “church” refer? • Building • Institution (organization) • Regional (“Church of Rome”) • Denomination (“Presbyterian Church USA”) • Mass (Do we have church today?) • Liturgical assembly • Local community • Parish, congregation • Universal community of believers

Church • All of these meanings have the same thing in common. What is that? • How does the Church fulfill man’s nature as a social being? • Man’s nature and deepest need as a social being is to be in communion with God and neighbor

Church • Primary meaning • Ecclesia - assembly (called out) • Ecclesial, Ecclesiology • Kyriake – “what belongs to the Lord” • Kirche, Kirk, Church • Qahal – people (Hebrew: qahal Israel) • Theological meaning • Body of Christ • People of God

Sacrament • What is a sacrament? • Don’t list them; define the word • A sign that accomplishes what it signifies • An event or item that gives what it shows • Examples: • Baptism is washing with water. It signifies (event) that God cleanses or purifies the soul using this sign (action). • Eucharist is a meal which feeds.

Sacrament • How is the Church “like a sacrament”? • CCC 775 • What does the Church signify? • The gathering of people before God • An anticipation of the fullness of heaven • Unity between humans • What does the Church give? • Salvation • Through the sacraments • The Church is the sacrament of Sacraments

Salvation • IMPORTANT: The final goal of the Church is union with the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit. • Occurs in the Kingdom of heaven • On Earth – at the Mass • Ultimately in Heaven • “Union with God” refers to an ongoing relationship • So the goal is not simply to “get to heaven.”

Salvation • “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” • One of the doctrines (teachings) of the Catholic Faith • Write a response to this statement • Explain what you think it means, and what it does not mean • Support your opinion with • True premises • “Because” statements • Reasonable examples

Quick Review • What are the three original words for “church”? • Latin, Greek, Hebrew • Which one is the basis for the English word “church”? • The church is an assembly or gathering. Who summons the church to gather? • Who is the visible foundation of the Church? • Who establishes the way the Church is governed?

The Mystery of the Church

Mystery • What is a mystery? • Something that cannot be figured out • Not fully revealed or unvieled • Something that gives what it signifies • A sacrament • Who is the greatest mystery? • In what way is God a mystery? • In what way is Jesus a mystery? • Why is the Church a mystery?

Mystery: Church & Eucharist • The Church is a mystery (mystical) just as the Eucharist is a mystery • Like the Eucharist, the Church has material properties but immaterial substance • Both Church and Eucharist are called “The body of Christ” • You are what you eat. • The body of Christ constitutes (begets and feeds) the body of Christ

Mystery: Church & Jesus • Syllogism • Jesus is human and divine • The Church is the body of Christ • The church is human and divine • Is Jesus both “visible” and “invisible” • How is Jesus “visible” and “invisible”? • How is the church “visible” and “invisible”? • What is the church’s “human” side? It’s “divine” side?

Two Natures (Aspects) • In what way is the Church a visible society? • Hierarchy • Institution (organization) • Living people • In what way is the Church an invisible society? • Angels • Saints • Faithful departed • “Anonymous believers”

Sullied Mystery • How is the Church a “mixed composition”? • Remember Jesus • Weakness & strength • Sinners & holiness (saints) • Why is the Church itself infallible (not sinful)? • Remember Jesus • Remember that the Church is not simply an early organization

The Church as the Sacrament of Communion

Authority in the Church The Hierarchy & The Papacy

Authority in the Church The Roman Curia

Authority in the Church Bishops, Priests and Deacons

Infallibility • Define Infallibility • What • Who

Curia • Define Curia • What • Who • Summarize the four main “sections” of the Curia • What about the Pontifical Swiss Guard? • Answer Workbook #12

Bishops • Bishops • Specific power • Local duties • Universal concerns

Qualifications for Bishops • 3 The saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; 5 for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil; 7 moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Tim 3)

Priests • Priests • Another name • Specific duties • What does in persona Christi mean? • To whom does it apply? • During which occasions does it apply?

Deacons • Deacons • History (Acts 6) • Two types • Specific duties

Qualifications for Deacons • 8 Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; 9 they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons. 11 The women likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well; 13 for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 3)

The Church as Teacher

Key Questions • What is the Magisterium? • Define • Ordinary • Extraordinary • What is the Deposit of Faith • Two parts

Traditions vs. Sacred Tradition Traditions Sacred tradition Interpretation of Scriptures Liturgy & Rites Lives of Saints Canon Law • How people go forward for Eucharist • Which way the altar faces • Whether there is an offering

Sacred Tradition • St Paul says, “Stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us.” • What is the difference between traditions and Sacred Tradition? • What “traditions” is St Paul talking about? • Examples • Who teaches Sacred Tradition?

Sacred Tradition • IMPORTANT: What is the relationship of Sacred Tradition to the Deposit of Faith? • Sacred Tradition is revealed • It is believed as much as Sacred Scriptures • Example: Assumption of Mary • Example: Order of the Mass

Sacred Tradition • Will there be additions to Sacred Tradition? • Not new revelations, but developed understanding or explanations • Example: interpretation of Scripture • Example: Creeds from Councils

Sacred Tradition • IMPORTANT: What is the relationship of Sacred Tradition to Sacred Scriptures? • Canon of Scriptures • NOT same as “Canon Law” • The Scriptures come from the Church • The determination of which books are authoritative is made by the Church • Which are truly inspired? • Which are read at the Liturgy?

Sacred Scripture • Where do the Scriptures begin? • How do the Apostles hand on the teaching of Christ? • How are these teachings written down? • Inspiration • Will there be new Scriptures? • They are the record of the Apostles

Magisterium & Sacred Tradition • What is the Magisterium? • Teaching Officeor Authority • By the Spirit in the Church through the Bishops • Sacred Tradition in the movement of the Spirit in the Church

Magisterium & Sacred Tradition • Does the Magisterium reveal or discover new truths? • In matters of Faith? • Example: new sacraments, new dogmas about Jesus or Mary • In matters of morals? • Example: new understandings of marriage, new rules about priesthood?

Magisterium • What should be the response of Catholics to a Magisterial teaching in Faith or morals? • Learn the phrase “obedience of faith” • What is a “cafeteria Catholic”? • Has the truth of the Catholic Faith or morals changed? • Can it change?

The Church as Sanctifier

Sanctify • What does the word “sanctify” mean? • What is the basis for our sanctification? • Is the Paschal Mystery simply about Jesus dying to forgive sins? • Is salvation nothing more than the act of being saved? • What is the right way to live after being saved?

Precepts of the Church • What are the Precepts of the Church? • Precept = Law or rule • Point: Discipline, Self-Control • What do these Precepts have to do with your sanctification? • What is the danger if you do not follow the Precepts of the Church? • How are these disciplines like fences or guardrails?

Precepts of the Church • What is the overriding purpose of these disciplines? • They are intended to help us draw closer to Christ • Do the Precepts of the Church change over time? • Generally – no • Specifically – yes

Salvation & the Church • What do you think of this statement: “There is no salvation outside the Church”? • Say this statement in a positive form. • All salvation comes from Christ the Head through his Church, which is his Body • What is the difference between someone who leaves the Church (or refuses to enter her), and a person who doesn’t know about the Church?

Salvation & the Church • What is the relationship between Catholics and Protestant Christians? • Separated brethren • Imperfect communion • Missing necessary elements of the Faith • Examples:

Salvation & the Church • Are the Orthodox Christians separated brethren? • The communion is so profound that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Eucharist. • What is the key difference? • Same: Apostolic succession, valid Sacraments • Missing: Unity (communion) with the Pope

The Church as Sacrament of Salvation