CLE Reviewer Lesson 1: Eschatology PDF

**CLE REVIEWER (Goodluck)** **Lesson 1: Eschatology (pg. 6-11, 17)** **Eschatology is concerned with the ultimate destiny of humanity and the world. The core beliefs in Christian eschatology include:** **Personal Eschatology:** - **Death:** When the soul separates from the body. In Christian...

**CLE REVIEWER (Goodluck)** **Lesson 1: Eschatology (pg. 6-11, 17)** **Eschatology is concerned with the ultimate destiny of humanity and the world. The core beliefs in Christian eschatology include:** **Personal Eschatology:** - **Death:** When the soul separates from the body. In Christian teaching, this is not the end but a transition to eternal life. - **Judgment:** Now of death, each soul is judged by God. This is different from the general judgment at the end of time. - **Heaven**: A state of eternal union with God. It\'s described as a place of joy and fulfillment, were believers experience God directly. - **Hell**: A state of eternal separation from God, reserved for those who reject God and die in mortal sin. - **Purgatory:** A state of purification for souls destined for heaven but not yet fully purified from venial sins or the temporal effects of sin. **Cosmic Eschatology:** Second Coming of Christ (Parousia): Jesus will return at the end of time, fulfilling the promises of salvation history. - **General Resurrection:** At Christ's return, all the dead will rise. The bodies will be reunited with their souls, transformed and glorified**.** - **Final Judgment**: All people, living and dead, will be judged based on their deeds, faith, and relationship with God. - **New Heaven and New Earth:** The old world will pass away, and God will create a new, perfect world where sin and death are no more. The ultimate focus of eschatology is the hope of eternal life and the promise that God will triumph over evil, bringing all creation into harmony with His will. **Lesson 2: Paschal Mystery (Passion, Death, and Resurrection) (pg. 39-52)** The Paschal Mystery is the central concept of Christian theology, focusing on Jesus Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. - **Passion:** Jesus' suffering begins with His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and culminates in His crucifixion. This suffering is an act of total obedience to the father and love for humanity. - The betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate, and the torture of Jesus demonstrate both human sin and the sacrifice Jesus makes for the salvation of all. - Jesus dies on the cross, an act of ultimate self-giving love. His death is seen as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. - His death also fulfills the role of the Lamb of God, a reference to the Passover lamb in Jewish tradition, linking the sacrifice to the redemption of Israel. - On the third day, Jesus rises from the dead, conquering death and giving believers the hope of eternal life. The resurrection is the foundation of Christian faith. - It is a victory over sin and death, promising that those who follow Christ will share in His resurrection. - After 40 days, Jesus ascends into heaven, taking His place at the right hand of the Father, interceding for humanity, and promising the eventual sending of the Holy Spirit. - The Paschal Mystery is celebrated most fully in the liturgy, particularly in the Eucharist, where believers participate in Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. **Lesson 3: Parables of the Workers in the Vineyard (pg. 39-52)** The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) teaches profound lessons about God's mercy and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. **Story Overview**: A landowner hires workers at different times of the day yet pays them all the same wage at the end of the day. The workers hired early in the day grumble, thinking it\'s unfair that those hired later receive the same pay. **Key Teachings:** **Divine Generosity:** God's grace is not earned by human effort but is freely given. God rewards people not according to human merit but according to His boundless mercy. **Equality in the Kingdom**: The last shall be first, and the first shall be last, indicating that those who enter the Kingdom of Heaven later or with fewer "merits" will still share in the fullness of eternal life. **Grace vs. Justice:** In this parable, the focus is on God's graciousness rather than strict human notions of fairness. It shows that God's ways surpass human understanding. The parable challenges believers to rethink their expectations of reward and recognize the boundless generosity of God. **Lesson 4: Jesus Gives Sight to the Blind (pg. 53-66)** The miracle of giving sight to the blind occurs in several instances in the Gospels, including: ***[John 9:1-12:]*** Jesus heals a man born blind by making mud, placing it on the man's eyes, and telling him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The miracle highlights the power of faith and Jesus as the Light of the World. ***[Mark 10:46-52]***: The healing of blind Bartimaeus. Jesus heals him after Bartimaeus cries out in faith, \"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.\" **Spiritual Significance:** Blindness symbolizes the inability to perceive spiritual truths. Jesus' miracles of healing the blind represent opening the eyes of people to faith. Jesus' miracles emphasize that physical healing goes together with spiritual enlightenment. Faith: The healings often occur because of the individual's faith in Jesus, showing the importance of faith as a response to God's grace. **Lesson 5: The Story of Solomon, Prudence in Decision Making (pg. 67-75)** King Solomon, the son of David, is renowned for his wisdom. One of the most famous stories illustrating his wisdom is the Judgment of Solomon: ***[1 Kings 3:16-28:]*** Two women come to Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of a baby. Solomon suggests cutting the baby in half and giving half to each woman. The true mother reveals herself by immediately offering to give up her claim to save the child's life, showing her maternal love. **Prudence** is the virtue that enables one to discern the right course of action in any situation. It requires careful thought, reflection, and seeking guidance from God. Solomon's story exemplifies the importance of seeking wisdom from God to make decisions that are just, fair, and aligned with moral truth. **Lessons from Solomon:** - **True wisdom involves understanding the deeper aspects of human nature and the ability to discern beyond appearances.** - **Prudence requires patience, reflection, and often self-sacrifice.** - **The Holy Trinity** The Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith, teaching that there is One God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Though the word \"Trinity\" is not found in the Bible, the doctrine is derived from scriptural teachings and has been a foundation of Christian theology since the early Church. **The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is central to Christian belief and describes One God in Three Persons:** - **Father:** The Creator of the universe, who loves His creation and desires a relationship with humanity. - **Son (Jesus Christ**): The Redeemer, who became incarnate to save humanity from sin. Jesus is both fully God and fully human. - **Holy Spirit**: The Sanctifier, who is present in the world, guiding, empowering, and inspiring believers**.**