chapter 7: the call to evangelization

Chapter 7: The Call to Evangelization

THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION

ANTICIPATORY SET

Incorporate the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats into the class’s opening prayer and then lead a discussion on its message.

1. Lord, Teach Us To Pray

BASIC QUESTIONS What is prayer? What is the Lord’s Prayer?

KEY IDEAS Prayer is a two-way dialogue between God

and each man. Taught by Christ to his Apostles, the

Lord’s Prayer is a summary of the entire Gospel.


What is the Christian encapsulation of the entire moral law?Loving God and our neighbor in the way that Christ has loved us.

What are the three ways we can grow in holiness, which this chapter will set forth?Prayer, the Sacraments, and service.

What is a brief description of each of these means?Prayer is talking with God. The Sacraments are the channels of grace God gives us through his Church. Service is the aid we give to others who are in need.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is prayer?Prayer is an inner communion or conversation with God.

What can we pray about?Anything: our needs, hopes, joys, and failures.

How is prayer a dialogue?It is two-directional: we speak to God, but we also listen to what he has to say to us.

What is the role of prayer in the lives of the saints?All the saints were first and foremost men and women of prayer, which was the basis of their activity in the world.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


Why is the “Our Father” called the Lord’s Prayer?Jesus Christ, the Lord, taught it to his disciples.

Why is the Our Father a perfect prayer?It sums up the entire Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why should we pray the Lord’s Prayer before praying for our own particular needs, according to CCC 2761?The Lord’s Prayer contains the most universal petitions, which are common to all. After that come “petitions which are peculiar to [individual’s] circumstances.”

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What was the startling way in which Jesus Christ referred to God the Father?He called him “Abba,” a term similar to the English word “daddy.”

What is the difference between the way Jesus referred to God the Father and the way he taught his disciples to refer to the Father?Jesus referred to God is “my” Father, and he taught his disciples to refer to God as “our” Father.

What is the significance of calling God “our” Father, rather than “my” Father?God is “our” Father by reason of “our” incorporation into Christ through the Church.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is the extent of the “our” in “Our Father”?Those whose Father is God make up the Communion of Saints, which includes all the saints on earth, in Heaven, and in Purgatory.

What does St. Augustine say this petition of the Lord’s Prayer means in his “Letter to Proba” (see page 269)?He means that God’s name, which is actually and unchangeably holy, should also be holy to men and not held in contempt.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Conduct a think/pair/share on the following question:

What do you think Pope Benedict means when he says, “being human is essentially about relation to God”?


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students work with a partner to make a bullet-point list of Christ’s example of prayer.


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students free write for a few minutes on what Reinhold Schneider might mean by his statement that the word “Father . . . contains the whole history of redemption.”

Share responses and try to reach a consensus on the sense in which God’s fatherhood is what redemption is all about.


According to Matthew (6:33), what is the key to our getting everything we want in life?If we seek God’s kingdom and holiness, we will be given everything else as well.

To what extent has God’s kingdom actually come?The kingdom was inaugurated with the Incarnation of Christ and is being established in the age of the Church, although its culmination will not occur until the end of time.

What is the law of the Kingdom of God?Christ’s law of love.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What does Kingdom of God essentially mean?Christ himself and his reign in men’s hearts.

How does earth become Heaven, according to Pope Benedict XVI?Earth becomes “Heaven” when and insofar as God’s will is done.

What is the relationship between the law of love and God’s will?God’s will is essentially the law of love: to love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


How do we concretely know God’s will in our lives?In prayer, we consider the circumstances of our lives in light of the teachings of Christ. The conclusions we draw, led by the Holy Spirit, is God’s will for us. We are then to act accordingly, aided by grace.

What does the “forgive us” petition call us to do?To have mercy on others by forgiving them and to seek forgiveness from those we have wronged.

What is the condition for us being forgiven our sins?We must forgive those who have offended us.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


Ought we to pray for our material needs?Yes. The Lord’s Prayer directs us to pray for our daily bread.

Should we worry about having enough material things?No. Christ said not to be anxious about what we will eat.

What is included in the petition about our daily bread?Everything that is best for us and for others.

What is the “hidden” meaning of “our daily bread”?The Eucharist, which is the “bread from Heaven.”

FOCUS QUESTIONS


How do our temptations relate to Christ’s?Christ suffered temptations from the Devil, which he withstood to the point of dying on the Cross. This opens up for us the ability to also withstand temptation.

What is our internal source of temptation?The inclination to sin called concupiscence.

Can we be tempted to sin beyond our power to resist?No. God’s grace gives us the strength we need to overcome any temptation we face in our lives.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is the positive thing about temptation?Every temptation presents us with a moral choice and, hence, an opportunity in which we can say “Yes” to God.

What is the literal meaning of Amen?It is the Hebrew word meaning “so be it.”

What does our use of Amen at the end of our prayers express?It expresses our faith in God and the belief that the things we prayed for will come to pass.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


CLOSURE Have the students write a paragraph on how the Lord’s Prayer summarizes the Gospel.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Reading

Prayer Is a Dialogue with God through Scripture as a Source of Prayer (pp. 242–245)

Study Questions Questions 1–9.

Practical Exercise 1.

Workbook Questions 1–10.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Many Christian writers have written commentaries on the Lord’s Prayer, for example, see On the Lord’s Prayer—A Letter to Proba, by St. Augustine in the Supplemental Readings at the end of this chapter.

Have the students complete Practical Exercise 1 (p. 273), free writing their own commentary on the Lord’s Prayer, with one or two sentences on each of the petitions, explaining it in their own words and relating it to their own lives.


ANTICIPATORY SET

Choose a Scriptural passage and use it as the basis of the class’s opening prayer, leading your students through the four steps of the lectio divina.

2. Prayer as Dialogue & Praying with the Sacred Scriptures

BASIC QUESTIONS What kind of dialogue is prayer? How can we hear what God wants to tell us? What is lectio divina?

KEY IDEAS Prayer is a dialogue with God that initiates the eternal

communion to which the soul is called and for which it longs.

The Sacred Scriptures are the primary place we can hear what God wants to say to us.

The lectio divina is a traditional method of praying with the Scriptures involving listening, meditation, dialogue, and contemplation.


What does God’s secret name for each one of us indicate, according to Benedict XVI?It indicates God’s totally personal love for each individual related to each one’s mysterious uniqueness.Do we have an intrinsic desire for God?Yes. It is “written” in the human heart.According to CCC 27, what is the essence of man’s desire for God?It is the need for loving communion with his Creator.What is an indication that natural, earthly life is not enough for us?Nothing satisfies us, no matter how hard we try to find peace from restlessness.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students complete the following table to see more clearly the method of lectio divina.


Step Method

Lectio

Meditatio

Oratio

Contemplatio

GUIDED EXERCISE


Step Method

LectioRead a Scriptural passage slowly, focusing on what the Word of God is saying.

MeditatioUse your reason to reflect on the Scriptural passage, both what itmeans and how it applies to your life.

OratioTalk to God about what you learned or experienced in your meditation.

ContemplatioSilently listen for God’s response.

How does prayer relate to our need for God?Prayer begins a communion with God in which we raise our mind and heart to him.

What are some of the benefits of a life of constant prayer?Knowledge of God’s will; greater ease in doing God’s will; the sense of Jesus’ support for us when we are in difficulty; becoming more Christ-like; and drawing others to Christ.

When should we pray, according to CCC 2697?We should pray at all times and also at specific times.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What are some specific forms of prayer in which we can or should engage?The Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, the Angelus, and grace before meals.

What is the importance of the Christian family for prayer?The family is the “domestic church” where God’s children learn to pray.

How is Heaven like prayer?Heaven is an eternal loving conversation or communion with the Trinity, which begins on earth in prayer.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

After having the students silently read the paragraph “A regular life of prayer . . .” (p. 243), lead a class discussion using the following questions:

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of prayer?

What capacity is increased by consistent prayer?


What is the relationship between words and the heart in prayer?Prayer necessarily involves words, yet the fervor of one’s heart is what gives prayer its effectiveness.

What is the primary way of listening to God?By reading God’s Word in Sacred Scripture.

Why are the Mass and traditional Catholic piety rich sources for prayer?The Mass and Catholic piety are filled with the words of the Scriptures.

What is lectio divina?It is a method of prayer based on a meditative reading of Sacred Scripture.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


CLOSURE Have the students write a paragraph explaining why the Sacred Scriptures are important for having a dialogue with God.



God Answers All Prayers through Difficulties in Prayer (pp. 245–249)




ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT As a group, have the students pray one of the offices of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Many people and parishes make available copies of the Liturgy of the Hours; several resources are also online.


ANTICIPATORY SET

Incorporate into the class’s opening prayer each of the forms of prayer.

You might begin with the Sign of the Cross followed by an act of the presence of God, and then ask each student to pray silently: first in thanksgiving (with a sufficient pause to pray), then in reparation (or contrition), then in adoration, and, finally, in petition. You might end with a doxology.

3. Forms of and Difficulties in Prayer

BASIC QUESTIONS Does God always answer our prayers? What are the major expressions and forms of prayer? What are the major difficulties in prayer?

KEY IDEAS God always answers our prayers by giving us what is

best for us. The major expressions of prayer are vocal, meditative,

and contemplative. Some of the forms of prayer include blessing, adoration, praise, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and contrition.

Difficulties in prayer include lack of time, distractions, and spiritual dryness.


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students work with a partner to develop an apologetical argument that explains the seeming discrepancy between Jesus’ promise that God will give us whatever we ask (cf. Jn 14:13–14) and the experience that often God does not seem to answer our prayers.


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students complete the following table to easily view the various forms of prayer.


Form Definition Concrete Example

Blessing and Adoration

Petition

Intercession

Thanksgiving

Praise

Contrition or Reparation

GUIDED EXERCISE


Form Definition Concrete Example

Blessing and Adoration We bless and worship God because he is God.

The Gloria prayer from the Mass.

Petition We request the good things God wants to give us.

“Please help me do my best in the game this afternoon.”

IntercessionWe pray for others or ask others to pray for us.

“Our Lady, please ask your Son to cure my uncle who has cancer.”

ThanksgivingWe express gratitude for the good things God has given us.

“Thank you for the good friends you have given me, especially Lucy.”

Praise

Joyful giving glory to God because of his greatness.

“God, you are infinitely great because you have created a universe that has produced a mind‑bogglingly incredible assortment of beings.”

Contrition or Reparation

Sorrow due to our or other’s sins and offenses against God.

“I am sorry for people who make and look at pornography, which degrades the people depicted and the ones who view it.”

What are the three traditional expressions of prayer in the spiritual life?(1) Vocal prayer is simple conversation with God; (2) meditative prayer is prayer of understanding; and (3) contemplative prayer is a resting in God’s presence.

What best categorizes vocal prayer?The use of words, spoken or unspoken, to talk with God.

What are some examples of vocal prayer?The Rosary and the Mass are vocal prayers. We can also use our own words to express whatever we want to say to God.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What does Benedict XVI mean by saying in vocal prayer, word proceeds thought?Normally thought precedes word: thought tries to express itself in words. However, in praying a set prayer first we speak the words and then try to center our minds on it.What are some examples of Christ’s use of vocal prayer?The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus’ exultant blessing of the Father, and his prayers on the Cross.What is the aim of meditation?We attempt to gain a greater understanding of the life of Christ or of a particular mystery of the Faith and how these insights could be applied to our lives.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


Why are texts useful in meditation?Texts help us sustain the attention required to meditate.

What are some of the “texts” we can use for meditation?The Sacred Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts of the day or season, writings of the spiritual fathers, works of spirituality, nature itself, and human history.

Is meditation entirely intellectual?No. Meditation can engage thought, imagination, emotion, and desire.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is contemplation?A prayer of simply being in God’s presence to share in his love.

How is contemplation like the experience of a couple who love one another?A couple who love one another often do not need to speak words: they simply enjoy being together. In contemplation, we simply enjoy being with God, whom we love and who loves us.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students complete the following table to organize the material on “Difficulties in Prayer,” defining each and providing a possible remedy.


Difficulty Definition Remedy

Lack of Time

Distraction

Spiritual Dryness

GUIDED EXERCISE


Difficulty Definition Remedy

Lack of Time

Being too busy to pray or running out of time

Pray at a set time, often in the morning.

Distraction

People or our own minds keep taking us off course.

Find a quiet place to pray and keep refocusing your mind on God.

Spiritual Dryness

A feeling of abandonment by God or the uselessness of prayer.

Perseverance in prayer.

CLOSURE Have the students write a paragraph summary on the three major expressions of prayer and three of the particular forms of prayer.



Part II: Sacraments as Sources of Grace through The Sacrament of the Eucharist (pp. 251–256)

Study Questions Questions 15–21. Practical Exercises 2–3.



ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Have the students work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 3, coming up with three examples of petitions that God might answer in a way different than what the petitioner hopes.


ANTICIPATORY SET

Incorporate John 6 (the feeding of the multitude and the bread of life discourse) into the class’s opening prayer and have the students free write for a few minutes on what most surprised them about this lengthy passage.

Share responses.

4. The Sacraments of Initiation

BASIC QUESTIONS What are the Sacraments? What is Baptism? What is Confirmation? What is the Eucharist?

KEY IDEAS The Sacraments are the seven effective signs established by

Christ and entrusted to the Church to convey the graces of his redemption to man.

Baptism frees man from sin and incorporates him into the life of God and the Church.

Confirmation is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that brings one to Christian maturity.

The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ, which gives us communion with him.


Why are the Sacraments of the highest importance to the Christian life?They are the primary vehicles of grace in the Christian life.

How do the Sacraments make the Catholic Church important?The Catholic Church is the instrument through which we receive the graces of Christ’s redemption by means of her Sacraments.

What is a Sacrament?It is an effective sign established by Christ to convey grace.

What is the relationship between the Sacraments and the redemption?The Sacraments give us the graces won by Christ through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What does it mean to say that the Sacraments convey grace ex opere operato?This Latin term, “from the work being done,” means that the Sacraments convey grace automatically if properly celebrated.

What factors determines how much grace a person receives through a Sacrament?The person’s attitude and dispositions: his or her attention, devotion, and desire to improve.

What two types of grace do the Sacraments impart?Sanctifying grace and sacramental grace.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


Why are there seven Sacraments?The sacramental grace of each Sacrament is different, helping people perform different acts and reach different ends.

Why is Baptism a Sacrament of Initiation?Through Baptism, a person enters into the supernatural life of Christ and the Church.

What does Baptism take away?Original and actual sin.

How does Baptism change our relationship with God?Baptism makes us children of God.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


How is Baptism an effective sign that gives grace?Water is the sacramental sign of Baptism. Just as water cleanses the body and gives it life, Baptism cleanses the soul and imparts grace, the soul’s source of supernatural life.

How do we know, from Acts 8, that Baptism and Confirmation are separate Sacraments?Some people in Samaria had become Christians: they received the Word of God and were baptized. The Apostles Peter and John then went and laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit, confirming them.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What are the signs by which Confirmation is accomplished?The laying-on of hands, the anointing of oil, and the words, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Why is Confirmation a Sacrament of Initiation?It perfects the grace of Baptism through the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling one to spread and defend the teachings of Christ and the Church.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students work with a partner to perform a focused reading of the sidebar “St. Rose Philippine Duchesne” (p. 254) using the following question:

How are the graces of Confirmation evident in St. Rose’s life?


Why should we receive the Eucharist as often as possible?We should receive it as often as possible both because of the graces we receive and because we receive Christ himself in a foreshadowing of the communion we will enjoy with him in Heaven.Why is the Eucharist also a Sacrament of Initiation?It fully incorporates the believer into the Church.When did Christ institute the Sacrament of the Eucharist?At the Last Supper.How did Christ anticipate the Sacrament of the Eucharist before the Last Supper?In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St. John, Jesus refers to himself as the “bread come down from heaven.”

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What are the words of the institution of the Eucharist?Christ’s words, “This is my body . . . this is my blood of the covenant” said over bread and wine.

What is the doctrine of transubstantiation?It defines the change in the substance of the bread and wine into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Why is the Eucharist reserved in the Tabernacle outside of Mass?The Eucharist is reserved so that those who are too sick or infirm to attend Mass may be brought the Sacrament and so that the faithful may adore Christ outside of Mass.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


Why should we treat the Eucharist with the utmost respect?Because it is Christ himself, the Eucharist is the holiest thing in the world.

Why do Catholics genuflect when passing a Tabernacle?Out of respect for Christ who is present inside it in the Eucharist.

What does St. Paul say about a person who receives the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin?He says that person is “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord . . . [and] eats and drinks judgment unto himself.”

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament.

Here is one way they could do it as a group:

• Maintain silence in the chapel.• Genuflect before entering the pew.• Kneel.• Have a period of silence.• Recite the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be together, beginning and ending with the Sign of the Cross.• Leave the Chapel, genuflecting again as they leave the pew.


CLOSURE Have the students write a paragraph summarizing the three Sacraments of Initiation.

4. The Theological Virtues of Faith and Hope


The Sacrament of Reconciliation through The Sacrament of Matrimony (pp. 257–260)




ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT The section on the Sacrament of Baptism (p. 252) lists a great many effects and gifts which Baptism confers. Have the students work with a partner to identify what they consider the most important effect of Baptism and why.

Then have the students share responses.


ANTICIPATORY SET

Incorporate 1 Corinthians 13: 1–13 into the class’s opening prayer and then have the students free write for a few minutes on why they think so many Catholic couples choose this reading for their wedding Mass.

Share responses.

5. The Sacraments of Healing and the Sacraments in Service of Communion

BASIC QUESTIONS What is Reconciliation or Penance? What is the Anointing of the Sick? What is Holy Orders? What is the Sacrament of Matrimony?

KEY IDEAS The Sacrament of Reconciliation forgives sins committed

after Baptism. The Anointing of the Sick prepares one to face serious illness

and death. Holy Orders passes on the powers of the Apostles to bishops,

priests, and deacons who serve the Church. Matrimony joins a Christian couple in a lifelong bond of

mutual service.


GUIDED EXERCISE

Based on the paragraphs beginning, “While the Church requires . . .” and “Regular Confession also . . .” (page 257) have the students work with a partner to make a list of bullet points that demonstrate the positive benefits of frequent confession.


Why do we still sin after Baptism?Because the inclination to sin, called concupiscence, still remains.

Why did Christ establish the Sacrament of Reconciliation?It is a means to receive God’s forgiveness and healing for sins committed after Baptism.

When did Christ institute the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to whom?Christ entrusted the ministry of Reconciliation to the Apostles after the Resurrection when he breathed on them and said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.”

FOCUS QUESTIONS


Who has the power to forgive sins?Bishops and priests through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

What is the difference between perfect and imperfect contrition?Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin out of love for God. Imperfect contrition is sorrow for sin out of fear of punishment. Either is necessary for forgiveness.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Conduct a think/pair/share using the following question:

Why are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick properly called Sacraments of Healing?


What part of life does the Anointing of the Sick address?This Sacrament is for those suffering from grave illness or the advance of old age.How does Sacred Scripture witness this Sacrament?St. James refers to the prayer and anointing by the elders of the Church of one who is sick to forgive sins and heal.When should one receive this Sacrament?As soon as there is danger of death from sickness, old age, or prior to a serious operation.Can Anointing of the Sick be repeated?Yes, it may be repeated if a person’s condition becomes more serious.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?It is the Sacrament by which the mission entrusted by Christ to the Apostles is handed down.

What are the three levels of authority in Holy Orders?(1) Bishops who participate fully in the priesthood of Christ, usually heading a diocese; (2) priests who assist bishops and care for communities called parishes; and (3) deacons who serve within parishes.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is the relationship between a bishop and the Apostles?Bishops are the successors of the Apostles.

What is the main purpose of Holy Orders?It is service of the Word of God and Christ’s Sacraments.

Why is Holy Orders called a Sacrament at the Service of Communion?Because it primarily exists for the sanctification of others.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is the purpose of Matrimony?The Sacrament of Matrimony enables a married couple to love each other with the same self-sacrificing love with which Christ loved his bride the Church, perfecting and sanctifying their love.Can a sacramental marriage be dissolved?No. It is lifelong.Who are the three partners in a sacramental marriage?The husband, the wife, and God.Why is the Sacrament of Matrimony good for the spouses?The Sacrament gives each spouse graces that make a total gift of self possible.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


CLOSURE Have the students write a paragraph summarizing, in two sentences each, the four Sacraments discussed in this lesson.



Part III: Being a Disciple of Christ through Conclusion (pp. 261–266)

Study QuestionsQuestions 39–53.

Workbook Question 21.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT

Have the students create and complete a table on the Seven Sacraments that will allow them to compare them on their purpose and one other criterion. For example:


Sacrament Purpose How Often Celebrated

Baptism

Confirmation

Eucharist

Penance

Anointing of the Sick

Holy Orders

Matrimony

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT


Sacrament Purpose How Often Celebrated

BaptismTakes away Original Sin and gives sanctifying grace to be and live as a Child of God.

Just once.

ConfirmationStrengthens with the Holy Spirit so one can witness to Christ in a mature way.

Just once.

Eucharist Gives one communion with Jesus Christ sacramentally.

At least once per year, but ideally as often as possible.

Penance

Forgives post-baptismal sin. At least once per year, but ideally as often as necessary and frequently even when not necessary.

Anointing of the Sick

Prepares one to face death. Whenever facing a serious injury or illness or old age. Repeated if the situation grows worse.

Holy Orders

Passes on the teaching and sanctifyingauthority of the Apostles to bishops, priests, and deacons.

Once, although a deacon can be ordained as a priest and a priest as a bishop.

MatrimonyPerfects and sanctifies the self-giving, lifelong love of husband and wife.

Once, as long as both spouses are alive.

ANTICIPATORY SET

Incorporate the Parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25–37) into the class’s opening prayer and then have the students free write for a few minutes on how the parable answers the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

6. Being a Disciple of Christ through Service and Witness

BASIC QUESTIONS What does it mean to love our neighbor? What does it mean to bear witness to Christ?

KEY IDEAS We love our neighbor as our self by serving anyone who

is in need. We bear witness to Christ by the example of an

authentic Christian life.


GUIDED EXERCISE

Conduct a think/pair/share using the following question:

What is the “consumer mentality” and what is wrong with it?


What is the new commandment?To love as Christ loved.What are the two “great” commandments?“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”According to the Parable of the Good Samaritan, what is the definition of neighbor?Anyone who is in need, even an enemy.To what extent has the Church been faithful to the command to love our neighbor in need?This has been a constant of Catholic life from the beginning.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Have the students work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 4, providing one concrete way they could actually practice each of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in the situation in which they now live.


Why is Christian witness more than a form of social work?Christ’s mission was primarily directed toward the redemption of man, even though Christian love necessarily includes concern for people’s material needs.

How do we know that witnessing to Christianity is necessary for salvation?Christ declared that “whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Who is called to witness to Christ?Every baptized person.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


What is the basis of Christian witness?First and foremost, it means to live according to the message of Christ, the testimony of our lives being the most powerful witness to Jesus Christ.

Why is Christian living effective witness?People can see that life in Christ is possible and brings real happiness.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


GUIDED EXERCISE

Conduct a paragraph shrink on the excerpt from Pope John Paul II’s Message to Youth beginning “Enlightened by the Word . . .” (p. 263).


What is the only real failure in life?Not to save one’s soul.

Except for sin, is there any circumstance or experience in life which cannot be a way of pursuing sanctity?No.

What three “roads” to sanctity did this chapter outline?Prayer, the Sacraments, and Christian service.

FOCUS QUESTIONS


CLOSURE Have the students write a paragraph summarizing Christ’s call to service and witness.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions

Questions 54–62. Practical Exercises 4–5.



ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Have the students work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 5, responding to the seven themes of Catholic social teaching.


The End

chapter 7: the call to evangelization

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