Marks of the Church

1. Marks of the Church

2. Marks • Marks can be used to help identify. • For example, you put a mark on your notebook to identify it, or a birthmark may help identify a person. • “One, holy, catholic, apostolic” help to identify the Church of Christ. • Marks can be us to set standards. • When cutting wood, you place a mark where you want the cut to be made. • “One, holy, catholic, apostolic” sets the standard for how the Church should be.

3. Marks of the Church • One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic • Read the article on the marks of the church • When finished, get the worksheet and answer the questions.

4. Christian Denomination Flowchart

5. Homework • Read Article 19 • Answer the following questions in your notebook: • What is ecumenism? • What are the goals of the ecumenical movement? • What elements of holiness, truth, and salvation do all Christians share?

6. Ecumenism • Ecumenism – movement to restore visible unity and full communion among Christians • Ecclesial Communities • Share in elements of holiness and truth • Do not share apostolic authority • Do not have fullness of Sacraments or salvation • Read Lumen Gentium 8 • What is the main idea of each paragraph?

7. Lumen Gentium #8 • What does it say about the Church? • Church of Christ is both visible & invisible • Visible Church & Mystical Body of Christ are one & same reality (think Incarnation) • Established by Christ as a community led by Peter & successors • The Church of Christ “subsists in the Catholic Church” • Catholic Church remains true to structure Christ set up • Elements of sanctification and truth are found outside the visible structure of the Church • Rooted in the Trinity, these promote unity.

8. The Church and Salvation • Lumen Gentium #14-15 • What is the main idea of each paragraph? • #14 refers to Catholics • #15 refers to other Christians • Read article 33 in the book. • Write a paragraph essay to explain the necessity of the Church for salvation.

9. Homework • Homework: Read Article 20 & 21. Write & define bold words in your notes notebook and write your own definition of holy.

10. Lumen Gentium #14 • Addresses Catholics • Church is necessary for salvation • Church is the body of Christ • Christ is the one Mediator and unique way of salvation • The way to enter the Church, Christ’s Body, is through baptism • Incorporation to Christ through his Body the Church is what saves us. • Being in the Church in body but not spirit is not enough.

11. Lumen Gentium #15 • Addresses other Christians • Elements of salvation shared with other Christians • Baptism • Scripture • Sacraments • Prayer • Gifts of Holy Spirit • Devotion to Mary • Martyrdom • United spiritually but not completely.

12. HOLY • What makes the Church Holy? • The Holy Spirit! • Holy Spirit assures the Church carries out her mission, despite sins & failures of her people. • God created the Church • Christ gave himself to the Church to make her holy.

13. HOLY • Church of saints & sinners • Parable of weeds among wheat • Donatist controversy • Need for continual Conversion

14. Holy • God’s grace is what makes us holy • Grace • free and undeserved gift of God’s loving presence in our life. • Transcends the power of intellect & will (supernatural) • Requires a response from us to enter into relationship with God.

15. HOLY • Ways we experience grace: • Sanctifying grace – baptism –orients us to God • Actual grace – God’s support in everyday life • Sacramental grace – God’s encounter with us through the body of Christ, the Church

16. Lumen Gentium #39-42 • Universal Call to Holiness • Through baptism, we become holy by sharing in the divine nature. • Baptized must hold onto and complete in their lives the holiness they have received. • Increase in holiness through cooperating with the divine will in daily life. • All faithful have obligation to strive for holiness

17. Universal Call to Holiness • After reading the document and reflecting on your previous definition how would you now define holiness? • Use at least two quotes from the document to supplement your definition.

18. Catholic • catholic means “universal” • Capital “C” Catholic • Catholic Church, founded by Christ • Body of Christ • Both visible & invisible elements • Fullness of Sacraments instituted by Christ • God’s presence in the totality of a person’s life • Includes the three levels of the Catholic Church

19. catholic • lower case “c” catholic • Contains the fullness of Christ • Given the total means of salvation for all people • Therefore has a mission to all people to gather all people to one in the one creator

20. Other world religions • What is the Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions? • Read article 27, 34 & Church and Other Religions (Lumen Gentium Packet #16) • What is relationship of Church with Judaism? • What is relationship of Church with Islam? • What is relationship of Church with other world religions?

21. Lumen Gentium#16 • All salvation comes through Christ • One true, unique mediator of salvation. • God wills all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) • How do we hold these two truths in balance? • Begin with an attitude of respect and open dialog.

22. Other world religions • What is relationship of Church with Judaism? • Share belief in one God, Scripture (Hebrew Scripture = Old Testament), roots of Christianity is Judaism, promises made to Jews are not revoked. • What is relationship of Church with Islam? • Share belief in one God and creator of all, faith of Abraham, and the final judgment of mankind. • What is relationship with Eastern Religions? • Hindus – contemplate divine mystery • Buddhists – meditation, seeking God through confidence and love

23. Other world religions • What is relationship of Church with other religions and people of no religion? • Connected to all those who seek God, goodness, or truth, which brings us together. • Preparation for the Gospel, which proclaims Jesus who is Goodness, Truth, and Justice. • Those who do not know the Gospel of Christ or the Church but sincerely seek God can attain salvation • Salvation still occurs through the Body of Christ, the Church. • Necessary to continue to share the Gospel with everyone.

24. Apostolic • Read article 30 & 31 • Answer questions 1-4 on pg. 123

25. Apostolic • Church is • Built on foundation of the apostles • Preserves & hands on teaching of apostles • Taught, made holy, & led by successors of apostles • Apostle – one who is sent on a mission • Sent to continue the mission of Jesus, spreading the Kingdom of God to the world • Great commission – Matthew 28 • All disciples of Christ are obliged to live apostolic lives of spreading the Good news of Christ.

26. Apostolic Tradition • Bishops preserve and pass on Divine Revelation • Tradition – handing on the truths Jesus taught • Word of God completely reveals God, but our understanding of God is always incomplete • Both Scripture and Tradition are necessary • Scripture is based on Tradition (oral & written) • Tradition continues to interpret Scripture

27. Review Essays • Explain why the Catholic Church is necessary for salvation, and how other Christians can participate in salvation even if they are not part of the Church. • Explain why the Church is the path to salvation even for those who are non-Christians. • Describe in words or pictures the relationship between the Church of Christ, the Catholic Church, and other Christian denominations.