Understanding Catechesis

Our Faith

• Includes belief, life, and prayer.

Catechesis

• Understood as the Church’s pastoral and missionary activity.
• Evangelization is the term used for this activity.
• Evangelization involves 2 senses:
  • Initial conversion via Gospel proclamation
  • Bringing the Good News to humanity

Foundation and Center of Evangelization

• The proclamation of Jesus Christ, salvation is offered as a gift of God's grace and mercy
• God's Gift of Faith means entrusting oneself freely to God.
• The Church helps all to accept God, His ideas, values and ways
• These ways are revealed in Jesus Christ

Aims of Catechesis

• Make men's faith active through instruction
• The goal is to put people in communion with Jesus Christ.
• The heart of Catechesis is Jesus of Nazareth
• Catechesis involves studying the mystery of Christ in all dimensions, including His teachings
• Christocentricity is key

Specific Goals of Catechesis

• Understanding the sources of faith:
  • Holy Scripture
  • Church Teaching
• Aim is developing love for the Word of God in scripture
• Educate in the basic principles and practice of Christian morality.
• Characteristics of moral life: Catholics using their conscience for decision-making.
• Develop the ability to pray and participate in the Church’s liturgy.
• Establish a sense of belonging and participation in the Church community.
• Translate their Christian faith into daily attitudes and values
• Discover how God’s Spirit works in daily life
• Holy Scripture is the speech of God written under the breath of the Holy Spirit

Understanding One's Life

• Need for Self Esteem: recognizing goodness in oneself allows appreciating it in others.
• Need for self direction: shaping one's life and following God's call.
• Need for Security: prerequisite for our growth.
• Need for others: reaching out in friendship and love.

Christ's Resurrection

• The personal, miraculous return of the crucified God-man
• Is the starting point and foundation of Christian Faith
  • For the Christian Community
  • For understanding Christ's Passion and Death
  • Required for the existence of Christian Faith
• Passion and Death are tied to the Paschal mystery

Importance and Nature of Resurrection

• Belief in the resurrection is central to Christianity.
• It shows that Jesus defeated death
• Many Christians consider it proof of life after death.
• The resurrection shows that Jesus is the powerful Son of God and reigns as Lord of all (Romans 1:4; 4:25).
• It demonstrates that Jesus’ blood saves people from their sins

Nature of Christ's Resurrection

• Internal Nature: reunion of soul and body
• External Nature: coming out of the grave after that reunion

Resurrection and Life After Death

• Resurrection meant eternal life for those judged as good.
• Death should not be feared by those who have lived morally and done God's will.
• By rising, Jesus Christ demonstrated forgiveness of the past and the ability to help in present lives.
• Resurrection ensures a safe and secure future.
• Without Christ's resurrection, there would be no salvation or hope.

Lesson of the Resurrection

• The resurrection of Jesus is the main teaching in the New Testament
• Jesus was raised because of His perfect character
• Righteousness and justice brought Him out of the grave
• The hope of resurrection has been the hope of all the faithful
• The New Testament discusses the teachings of Jesus, as well as events relating to Christianity.