Church (CLE 8) Q3 Concepts

• These study notes cover the Church (CLE 8) concepts from the third quarter.

What is the Church?

• The Church is the community of believers.
• It is a Christian community sharing faith in Jesus Christ.
• The word "church" originates from the Greek word "ekklēsia," meaning "assembly" or "called-out ones."

Nature of the Church

• The Church embodies the Body of Christ.
• It exists as a community of believers devoted to love and service.
• It is built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and His apostles.
• It is missionary-focused.

Three Types of Church

• Church Militant: Refers to the pilgrim church on Earth, including both laity and clergy.
• Church Suffering: Refers to those in Purgatory.
• Church Triumphant: Refers to those in Heaven.

Four Marks of the Church

• One: Characterized by unity in faith and worship.
• Holy: Called to be set apart and follow God.
• Catholic: Universal and open to all people.
• Apostolic: Built upon the apostles' teachings, ensuring the teachings of Jesus remain unchanged.

One True Path

• Jesus is considered the one true path to salvation.
• Baptism calls people to spread the Good News.
• As stated in John 14:6, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.

Deposit of the Word of God

• Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition form a single deposit of the Word of God.
• The Church encounters God through this Word.

Life is Sacred

• The Church recognizes the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death.
• All human life should be treated with care and dignity.

Sacraments of Initiation

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Eucharist or Communion

About the Sacraments

• Baptism: A rite of rebirth within the Catholic Church.
• Confirmation: Strengthens the connection between the baptized individual and the Catholic Church.
• Eucharist: A sacrament considered the most important in Catholic life.
• The Eucharist involves blessing and consuming bread and wine, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ.

Things to Reject in Baptism

• Sin
• Evil
• Satan

Three Types of Baptism

• Water: Administered by the Church.
• Blood: When the unbaptized suffer martyrdom for Christ.
• Desire: When one loves God above all things, despite being unaware of Christ.

Matter, Form, and Minister of Baptism

• Matter: Water is used.
• Form: "N, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
• Minister: Bishops, Priests, and Deacons typically administer. In emergencies, anyone can perform.

Why Baptism is Necessary

• According to John 3:5, one must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

The Eucharist

• Symbolizes the breaking of bread and sharing of wine that Jesus did before his death.
• It’s a memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
• Is the same sacrifice Jesus did on the cross.

Matter and Form of Eucharist

• Bread and wine are used.
• The words of consecration are spoken.

Minister and Recipients

• Bishops and Priests can minister.

• Any baptized Catholic without mortal sin can be a recipient.

• The Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ (Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity) under the appearance of bread and wine.

• CCC 1324 States "The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life"

Why the Eucharist is the Source and Summit of Christian Life

• Source: It nourishes spiritual life, as mentioned in John 6:55-56.
• It is Christ Himself, offering His body and blood.
• Summit: It is the highest form of worship and thanksgiving to God.
• It brings people closer to Christ and the Church.

Jubilee Year

• Is a special year of grace and renewal in the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years.
• It involves forgiveness, reconciliation, and renewal.
• It’s a time to reconnect with God, others, and creation.

Origin of Jubilee

• The Jubilee was a time to forgive debts, free slaves, and return land to its original owners.

• Pope Boniface VIII established the tradition of the Holy Year in 1300.

• The Catholic Church has a Jubilee every 25 years.

• Pope Francis declared 2025 as a Jubilee Year with the theme "Pilgrim of Hope."

• Focus will be renewing faith, rekindling hope, and showing charity.

Why Holy Doors are Important

• Symbolize the spiritual journey from sin to grace.
• Represent God’s mercy.
• Strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.
• Express a willingness to follow Jesus.

Lent

• Lent is among the five seasons in the Liturgical Year.

• People are encouraged to remember and reflect on the Lord's passion by preparing their spirituality, converting, and penance.

• Lent is a time to renew baptismal vows and live as sons/daughters of God and disciples of Christ.

• The season of Lent begins on Wednesday.

• Ash Wednesday is celebrated by other Christian denominations such as Lutherans, Episcopalians, Anglicans, and Methodists.

Formula Used in Imposing Ashes

• Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
• Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Lent: Invitations

• Repentance
• Reconciliation
• Penance
• Discipleship

Three Pillars of Lent

• Prayer
• Fasting
• Almsgiving

Three Universal Temptations

• Pleasure

• Power

• Popularity

• A person needs to stay away from these temptations

• Holy Week is the climax of Lent.

• Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday and ends with the Holy Triduum.

• Triduum lasts for three days, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.