3.1 Morality: A Response to God’s Love 3.1 Morality: A Response to God’s Love

Chapter 3

The Church

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3.2 Chapter Overview3.2 Chapter Overview

The communion of saints refers to holy things, especially the Eucharist. It also refers to holy people from the past, present, and future who are inspired by the Holy Spirit to use their talents for helping others.

The Church is the God-given gift that assists us in our moral lives.

The Church’s sacraments are the “masterworks of God” that give us grace to follow Christ.

The Church is a source of moral guidance for Catholics.

V3.1 VocabularyV3.1 Vocabulary

Communion of saints (p. 43): This title refers to two realities. First of all, it designates the “holy things” such as charity and the Eucharist, by which the unity of the faithful is brought about. Second, it refers to the unity in Christ of all the redeemed, those on earth and those who have died.

Ecclesia (p. 48): A Greek word for a duly summoned assembly; also means Church.

V3.2 VocabularyV3.2 Vocabulary

Alienation (p. 50): An experience of isolation and separateness from God and others.

Reconciliation (p. 50): An experience of reuniting and reconnecting with God and others.

Magisterium (p. 52): The teaching office of the Church.

V3.3 Vocabulary V3.3 Vocabulary

Rabbi (p. 55): Hebrew for teacher, a term frequently applied to Jesus.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (p. 55): A “synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine, as regards both faith and morals, in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church’s Tradition.” (Catechism, #11)

Encyclical (p. 56): An official letter from the pope, usually addressed to all Church members.

3.3 Review3.3 Review

1. Briefly describe how Elizabeth of Hungary and Maximilian Kolbe modeled saintliness.

2. What is the communion of saints?

3. Describe the ways that the Church is a gift to God’s people.

3.4 Review 3.4 Review

4. How can Saint Paul’s analogy of the body be applied to the Church?

5. What does the Greek word for Church imply?

6. Describe the relationship between the sacraments and morality.

3.5 Review 3.5 Review

7. What are the Sacraments of Initiation? Describe one way that each of these three sacraments sets a direction for living a moral life.

8. What does the number seven mean in biblical symbolism? What does it say about Jesus’ message of forgiveness?

3.6 Review 3.6 Review

9. Define the terms alienation and reconciliation.

10. What does the sacrament of Reconciliation celebrate?

11. In the Gospels what title is applied most frequently to Jesus?

3.7 Review3.7 Review

12. Distinguish among the five types of written Church documents described in the text.

13. What did classical thought emphasize as the way to truth?