The Church Is Apostolic PDF

THE CHURCH APOSTOLIC IS Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Following The Church Passes on the Faith through Social Networking Did you know that the Church celebrates World Commu...

THE CHURCH APOSTOLIC IS Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Following The Church Passes on the Faith through Social Networking Did you know that the Church celebrates World Communications Day? This is a worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council, in its “Decree on the Media of Social Communications” (Inter Mirifica). World Communications Day is celebrated in most countries on the Sunday before Pentecost. By encouraging respectful dialogue among Catholics and with members of other faiths, the Church can bring the Gos- pel message of Jesus to those who may otherwise not have opportunity to hear it. In modern times, this dialogue has come to include a technological dimension, in the form of online social networks. Pope Francis has embraced online social networks. Not long after his election, he re-established the Twitter account @Pontifex that Pope Benedict XVI began in 2012 and quickly began communicating with millions of followers. Through this social media, Pope Francis shares the Gospel message and teachings about the Catholic faith, and invites his followers to prayer. Through the website Pope2you.net, the Vatican links users to the pope’s Twitter account and several social media sites it uses to reach the faithful. But even while embracing the potential of technologically based social communications, Pope Francis also reminds Catholics and all others of the importance of personal contact as they share the journey of faith. In his 2013 address to participants at the Plenary Assembly of the Pon- tifical Council for Social Communications, he wrote: “We are called to rediscover, through the means of social communication as well as by personal contact, the beauty that is at the heart of our existence and journey, the beauty of faith and of the beauty of the encounter with Christ.” He also encourages Catholics to use technology to build mean- ingful dialogue that enriches us and the world: “[We must] use modern technologies and social networks in such a way as to reveal a presence that listens, converses, and encourages.” 181 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  FOCUS QUESTION How does the Church PRESERVE AND PASS ON THE FAITH first shared by the Apostles? Preserving and Sharing Chapter Overview Introduction Section 1 Remembering Who We Are Section 2 How the Church’s Memory Is Preserved Section 3 How the Church’s Memory Is Shared Section 4 Apostolicity and Church Leadership Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  INTRODUCTION a different color or tore out a classic columned entry- Preserving and way? Or what if you found the food and service a poor imitation of how it had always had been before? Would Sharing you say that the restaurant had lost its way or was not being loyal to the tradition and quality established by its founder? The well-respected name and reputation of the restaurant could soon lose all of its connection MAIN IDEA With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the past and either veer off in an entirely new the Church preserves and passes on the Faith she direction or maybe even go out of business. heard from the Apostles. Think about how this example is related to the fourth mark of the Church: the Church is apostolic. The Church is apostolic because Christ sent her into the world. In fact, the Church has an identity and a reason to exist only because of this connection with Christ and his Apostles. How so? Consider this: Jesus, God’s only Son, was sent to live among us by his Father. He in turn sent the Apostles, giving them the mission to continue his work and preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. If the Church were to forget the One who sends her or the reason for which she is sent, she would become nothing more than another organization among many in the world. Maybe she would persevere, maybe not. It is the apostolic nature of the Church that helps her—through the intercession of the Holy Spirit—to remember and preserve all she has been taught all the way back to the Apostles and to Jesus himself. Have you ever been back to a favorite restaurant that NOTE TAKING changed management but retained the name of the Key Words. Write three sentences describing respected founder and previous owner? What if the how the Church is apostolic. Make sure that all new owners painted the trademarked sign out front of the following words are used at least once. Foundation Apostles apostolic One of the marks of the Church, this term comes Capstone Faithful from apostle, which means literally “having been sent.” Holy Spirit Successors Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 183 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year. How the Church Is Apostolic guidance of the Apostles through their successors, the bishops, and particularly the pope, the succes- The Catechism of the Catholic Church stresses that the sor of St. Peter. Church remains faithful to her apostolic nature in three ways: Every member of the Church has a responsibility to model the apostolic nature of the Church by sharing First, as the Letter to the Ephesians states: the the Gospel and expressing the Church’s teachings in Church is “built on the foundation of the apos- tles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the the unique situations they find themselves in. But this capstone” (Eph 2:20). Jesus is both the source and isn’t a solitary task where the individual Christian or focal point of all the Church does: even the individual pastor or bishop interprets and reinterprets what is to be shared. Rather, the apostolic Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred nature of the Church allows the teachings of the pope in the Lord; in him you also are being and bishops to direct all Catholics despite the personal built together into a dwelling place of beliefs or preferences of individuals. This can be chal- God in the Spirit. (Eph 2:21–22) lenging and difficult for Catholics sometimes. This chapter explains why it’s important to appreci- Second, guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church is apostolic because she remains faithful to the teach- ate the living nature of the Church’s memory, preserved ings of the Apostles. This was true from the time of in the Deposit of Faith, the heritage of our Faith con- Pentecost: “They devoted themselves to the teach- tained in both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. ing of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to prayers” (Acts 2:42). Deposit of Faith “The heritage of faith contained in Sacred The Church keeps and hands on the teaching of the Scripture and Sacred Tradition, handed down in the Church from the time of the Apostles, from which the Magiste- Apostles through her Deposit of Faith. rium draws all that it proposes for belief as being divinely Third, the Church remains apostolic by faith- revealed” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Glossary). fully accepting the teaching, sanctification, and SECTION ASSESSMENT NOTE TAKING Use the notes you made to help you complete the following assignment. 1. Summarize the three ways that the Church remains faithful to her apostolic nature. ? VOCABULARY 2. What is the meaning of the word apostolic? PERSONAL RESPONSE 3. What do you find challenging about accepting the Church’s apostolic nature? 184 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  SECTION 1 the term amnesia (from a Greek word meaning “not Remembering Who remembered”). A person who suffers from amnesia experiences a loss of memory of past events from his We Are or her life. The experience can be devastating because our memory is so essential to our identity. Memory is so important to knowing and under- standing ourselves that people sometimes spend hun- MAIN IDEA The Church possesses a sacred memory of God’s dreds of hours (and thousands of dollars) in psychiatric Revelation through the ages, made complete in therapy trying to uncover long-lost memories that Jesus Christ. might reveal to them the source of current difficulties in their lives. On the other hand, positive experiences from childhood and their memory help to form the founda- tion of a lifetime of personal success in career and voca- tion and in developing lasting and loving relationships. Whether negative or positive, memory is essen- tial to a person’s identity. Similarly, the Church would also be incomplete with the lack of her memory. One of the terms used for memory in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, is anamnesis. Opposite of amnesia, anamnesis is concerned with the recovery of memory. It can be translated as “remem- Therefore, O Lord, as we ceelebrate the memoriial of the blessed Passion, the Resurrectionn from brance” and it signals recovery of deep memory. Inter- the dead, and the glorioous Ascenssion into estingly, every time a form of the word anamnesis is heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lordd.... used in the Bible, it is connected to a sacrifice (see, for example Nm 10:10 or Lk 22:19). Likewise, all of the Television and movies have long been fascinated by Eucharistic prayers of the liturgy contain an anam- memory, and especially individuals’ lack of it. If it nesis, usually after the consecration in which the key weren’t for movie plots you might have never heard of events of the Paschal sacrifice are remembered. NOTE Recall and categorize. As you read the following section, make a list of four important stages of God’s Revelation. On a second list, name four TAKING significant memories from your own life. Four Stages of God’s Revelation Four Significant Personal Memories Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 185 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Without some kind of personal memory, your own the fullness of life demands that everyone have access existence would be rootless; you would be forced to to the memories and lessons of previous generations. continually reinvent yourself. More importantly, with- The pope and bishops, as the Church’s Magiste- out a community memory preserved in your family rium, are successors of the Apostles who were com- and in the Church, your own personal memory would missioned by Christ himself to keep alive the Church’s more likely be mostly formed out of the stories and sacred memories. The difference between the role myths of the larger society. These memories of society of the pope and bishops and that of the “Receiver too often don’t reflect the love for God and for neigh- of Memory” in the science-fiction novel is that the bor we are all called to live by. To be a member of the Church’s memories are to be revealed and shared with Catholic Church is to acknowledge the authority of all. The sacred memory that is kept alive in the Church a sacred communal memory that gives you a part in is the memory of God’s Word and actions. It is the her identity. It helps you personally to discover who memory of God’s Revelation. you are in the eyes of God. The apostolic nature of the The Church is grounded in a sacred memory of Church is essential for preserving this sacred memory. what God has revealed about himself through several stages of human history. Revelation and the Sacred Memory of the Church God revealed himself to Adam and Eve and did not withdraw his revelation even after A popular science-fiction they sinned. novel among mid- dle-school students is The Giver by Lois Lowry. The God revealed himself to Noah and guaran- novel is set sometime in a teed that the unity of humankind would be future society that first reestablished bit by bit through time and appears to be utopian. All place. He also promised that nature would people have food and shel- never again destroy the world. The covenant ter. Temperatures are con- with Noah prepared for the covenant with trolled. There are no wars Abraham and remained in place until the or even arguments. The central character of the novel, coming of Christ. Jonas, a twelve-year-old boy, is chosen by the commu- nity to be the sole “Receiver of Memory.” He will receive from his predecessor, “the Giver,” knowledge of the God chose Abraham to be the father of all memories from generations before that include trage- believers. From his descendants, God formed dies and conflicts, but also true joy and love. The pur- a chosen and holy People, Israel, in the hope of pose of Jonas’s position is for the community to be able their Salvation. When Christ came, Gentiles to draw on the wisdom of ancient memories whenever were grafted onto the holy people through it faces unique and difficult challenges. Central to the their belief in him. story’s resolution is that Jonas and the Giver realize that 186 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Private ? What Are REVELATIONS God continues to reveal himself to all of humanity. Private revelation is the term used to describe supernatural communications that God gives to certain people. These revelations may take the form of apparitions (things that are seen) and locutions (things that are heard) that tell us more about God. The Magisterium of the Church at times recognizes such revelations as authentic; however, Catholics are not required to believe them nor are the revelations part of the Church’s Deposit of Faith. Nevertheless, private revelations help people understand and live out the Church’s public revelations. Many saints have been blessed with private revelations. These saints are often called mystics because of their intense experience of intimate union with God. Often their revelations have come through contemplation. St. John of the Cross, a Doctor of the Church and a mystic, encouraged others to seek contemplation, though he disapproved of anyone seeking a private vision or revelation. He believed true growth in the Lord came through the practice of love, which is founded on the other theological virtues of faith and hope. Assignment Research a Catholic mystic. Write a brief report on one of the mystic’s private revelations. Also answer: “What did this revelation reveal about God for me?” Some Catholic mystics include: St. Bernard of Clairvaux. He described the Church in spousal terms as the bride of Christ. Julian of Norwich. Her revelations of the experience and meaning of divine love came at the point of her death. St. Catherine of Siena. Her visions were influential, and she became an advisor to Pope Gregory XI. St. Teresa of Ávila. She described the stages of the mystical journey. She is known for her writings, including The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle. St. John of the Cross. His famous work is the Dark Night of the Soul. Along with St. Teresa of Ávila, he emphasized that union with God is attainable only in the denial of self. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Known as the “Beloved Disciple of the Sacred Heart,” she is known for her intense love and devotion to the Sacred Heart. contemplation Wordless prayer whereby a person’s mind and heart rest in God’s goodness and majesty. Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 187 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  In the fullness of time, God’s Revelation became not just a word from God, but the definitive Word of God, Jesus, the Christ. The prologue to the Gospel of John announces that: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. Picture Meditation Like contemplation, meditation is a form of mental What came to be through him was life, prayer. To meditate means to think deeply and con- and this life was the light of the human race. tinuously. Contemplation, on the other hand, calls And the Word became flesh a person to attempt to empty his or her mind of all and made his dwelling among us, thoughts and images and simply let God be present. and we saw his glory, Practice a short meditation by following the steps below. In preparation, choose a piece of reli- the glory as of the Father’s only Son, gious photography or a religious painting to medi- full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:1–4, 14) tate on. You may have such a piece in your home. This passage expresses the conviction that the same There are several worthy photos in this textbook Word of God that was active in creation and present that can be used for meditation. You can also go to a church for this exercise. When you have found in the Law and prophets has entered definitively and your photo or painting, quiet yourself and get ready completely into the world. Henceforth, the expression to begin. “Word of God” meant that God’s creative and saving Word is incarnate in Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God reveals STEPS TO MEDITATION and shares his very self. 1. Observation. Spend three to five minutes con- centrating on the piece of art. What is in it? What is Jesus Is the Fullness of happening or has happened? What are the people doing? What season is it? Where is the action taking God’s Revelation place? When? Who is in it? Why are certain actions It’s a wonderful fact about God that he chooses to reveal taking place? What else to you observe? himself in a relationship that humans can understand 2. Reflection. Spend three to five minutes discov- and that does not cause fear and foreboding. Imagine ering what the image might be telling you. Does it contain any symbols? What do they mean? What the scene from the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy and message is being communicated? If the image her friends first creep and cower to approach the “great could talk, what would it say? Use your imagina- wizard.” They then hear a bold, loud, and scary voice tion to reflect further on the meaning of the image. from on high. They all shudder in fear. What if God 3. Listening. Imagine that God has a message for had chosen to reveal his pronouncements and himself you in this photo or painting. Spend some time hear- in this way? ing what God has to say to you. Of course, this is very different from how God 4. Resolution. Now that you have listened to God, reveals himself to his people. God invites you into write a short prayer to the Father asking him to help you to grow in your Faith. 188 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  a loving relationship with him. He reveals himself remains for Christian faith gradually to grasp its full fully in the Divine Person, Jesus, who walked the significance over the course of the centuries” (CCC, earth humbly, reached out especially to the poor, and 66). invited all into God’s love. The Second Vatican Council The preservation and transmission of this sacred reminded the Church that “through this revelation, memory of God’s Revelation in Christ was given over therefore, the invisible God out of the abundance of to the Apostles. They fulfilled their mission by sharing his love speaks to us as friends and lives among us, the Good News both orally and in written form. In so that he may invite and take us into fellowship with preaching the Gospel to all, they communicated that himself ” (Dei Verbum). the life and message of Jesus Christ is the source of God’s Son who became man, Jesus Christ, is the all truth and moral discipline. Under the inspiration completion of God’s Revelation. In Jesus, everything of the Holy Spirit, this sharing of the Good News is you need to know about Salvation and sanctification passed on through the Sacrament of Holy Orders to is available in him. “Yet even if Revelation is already the pope and bishops. This makes up the Apostolic complete, it has not been made completely explicit; it Tradition. SECTION ASSESSMENT NOTE TAKING Review the notes you took on important stages of God’s Revelation and your own personal memories to help you answer the following question. 1. Why is memory necessary to maintain both personal and communal identity? COMPREHENSION 2. How is anamnesis different from amnesia? 3. How is the sacred memory of the Church preserved? 4. What is the subject of the Church’s sacred memory? CRITICAL THINKING 5. How would the Church be incomplete without her memory? 6. Why is it necessary for all Catholics to share in the Church’s sacred memory? Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 189 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year. SECTION 2 Apostolic Tradition, the Lord has arranged for a way How the Church’s for the sacred memory of this truth to be preserved and handed on to each succeeding generation. Memory Is Preserved God reveals himself in a single Deposit of Faith that is found in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradi- tion. They both come together and make Christ’s presence known to the Church. Jesus foretold at the MAIN IDEA Through a single Deposit of Faith that is preserved, commissioning of the disciples that he would be with enlightened, and taught by the pope and bishops, the Church “always, until the end of the age” (see Mat- Christ remains present in the Church and the thew 28:16–20). world. Originally, the Gospel was handed on in two ways: first, in the oral preaching of the Apostles, in their example, and in the Church Christ established; and, second, in the writings that the Apostles and others associated with them recorded. Recall that there is no further Revelation after Christ. Sacred Scripture refers to the library of divinely inspired writings that make up the Bible. Sacred Tra- dition is the living transmission, or “handing on,” of the Gospel message. This Sacred Tradition is contained in the Church’s teaching, life, and worship. Sacred Tra- The Gospel—the Good News of Salvation preached dition began with the Apostles, under the inspiration and lived by Jesus Christ—is the source of all saving of the Holy Spirit. They, in turn, passed on this gift to truth. God wills that everyone “be saved and come to the pope and bishops. knowledge of the truth” (1 Tm 2:4). In the Church’s NOTE Identifying Supporting Details. As you read this section, create a concept web like one of the following to record details about the meaning of Sacred TAKING Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Add more circles as needed. inerrant continuity Sacred with the Apostles Sacred Scripture inspired by Tradition interpreted by the the Holy Magisterium Spirit 190 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Sacred Scripture is a unity of God’s plan, and Christ is at the center of it. All of Sacred Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit 2. Reading the Bible in light of the Sacred Tradition of and is free of error. This means that Scripture contains the Church. The Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the truth God intends to be shared and that “every- Scripture. It remains alive because it is interpreted by thing asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers the Holy Spirit through the Church. Scripture must must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit” (Dei be read from the perspective of the Church rather Verbum, 11). The Old Testament is the inspired written than individualistically—that is, you must consider testimony of the people of Israel. The New Testament what the Church says about its meaning. preserves the memory of the Apostles and those close to them. This memory includes what Christ revealed 3. Being attentive to the analogy of faith. There exists to them about God and his plan for Salvation. an entire hierarchy of truths of Faith—of which the The Catholic Church teaches that Sacred Scrip- Scripture is a part—that must be placed in the con- ture must always be interpreted. Scripture is inerrant text of the whole of God’s Revelation. The Scriptures because it is the Word of God, but it is the Word of must be understood within the whole plan of God’s God expressed in human words and written by human Revelation. authors. Like all human words and humans themselves, Another point to remember is that there are two it is shaped by human circumstances and limitations. main ways for looking at and interpreting Scripture. Scripture is valid for all times and all generations, but These are the two main senses of Scripture—the literal it was written in a particular time and for a particular and spiritual. The literal sense of Scripture refers to the group of people. In order to understand Scripture, the literal meaning conveyed by the words themselves at the Church considers how Scripture was intended for its time, how things actually happen. The spiritual sense original audience. refers not to the words themselves, but rather what is To do this, the Church values the contributions of signified by the words. The spiritual sense can be subdi- modern Scripture scholarship. Biblical scholars exam- vided into the allegorical, moral, and anagogical senses. ine the context and audience of a particular writing. Finally, it is important to remember that the Holy They also study literary forms (e.g., poetry, genealo- Spirit also inspired the formation of the canon of gies, parables, etc.) to understand the meanings of a Scripture. In AD 367, the Church recognized the need passage. However, since Sacred Scripture is inspired, to distinguish between sacred texts that were divinely the Church teaches that it “must be read and inter- revealed and others that did not meet the “measuring preted in light of the same Spirit by whom it was writ- rod” or “rule” determined by the Apostles and their ten” (Dei Verbum, 3). Examining Scripture in these successors. As the Second Vatican Council defined three ways requires: it, “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put 1. Paying attention to the Bible as a whole, not just indi- down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit” vidual passages or even books. The entire Scripture (Dei Verbum, 9). analogy of faith The understanding that every individual canon of Scripture The official collection of inspired books statement of belief must be viewed in the context of the of the Bible. The Catholic Bible includes forty-six Old Tes- entire body of Faith. tament books and twenty-seven New Testament books. Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 191 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year. Many crucifixes in Mexican culture include very visible depictions of Jesus’ Blood. Sacred Tradition them to recognize God’s Word, deepen their under- standing of its meaning, and apply it more fully in their From generation to generation the Church has handed lives. This happens in many ways. For example, if you down both the written account of God’s Revelation visit a Catholic church in Mexico you may notice that and her own understanding of that Revelation. The the crucifix looks different from a typical American Church’s Sacred Tradition is all of the ways in which Catholic church. Many crucifixes in Mexico include the Church has passed on her understanding of what very visible depictions of blood, because Mexicans God has revealed to us. Some examples include creeds, typically have connected Christ’s suffering with their doctrines, hierarchical structure, the liturgy, types of own suffering through history. The addition of blood prayer, and social teaching and practice. These are is a small but real way Mexicans have added to the things that truly make the Church apostolic. These Church’s understanding of Christ’s suffering and to the are things that create continuity between the Apostles’ Church’s devotional tradition. The witness of ordinary understanding of Jesus and our own understanding believers is woven in with contributions of saints and of Jesus. the Church Fathers that “can be retained, modified or All Catholics help to pass on tradition (note the even abandoned under the guidance of the Church’s small “t”). Through Baptism, Catholics receive a super- magisterium” (CCC, 83). natural appreciation of Faith (sensus fidei) that allows 192 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Amid all of the contributions to the Church’s tra- pope and bishops in communion with Christ. The dition (with a small “t”) is the authoritative teaching term Magisterium is drawn from the Latin word for of the pope and bishops that protect and proclaim the “teacher.” Interestingly, the Magisterium’s teaching is apostolic teaching of the Church—that is, her Sacred applicable to both Sacred Tradition and tradition with Tradition. Christ commissioned the Apostles to inter- a small “t.” How the Magisterium teaches is the subject pret God’s Word, both Scripture and Tradition. This of the next section. Christ-appointed teaching authority extends to the SECTION ASSESSMENT NOTE TAKING Use the elements you included in your concept web to assist you in answering the following questions. 1. What does Sacred Scripture refer to? 2. What is the Church’s Sacred Tradition? VOCABULARY ? 3. How is the canon of Scripture also inspired? COMPREHENSION 4. What were the two ways the Gospel was originally shared? 5. What are three ways for thoroughly examining Scripture? 6. Who is responsible for protecting and proclaiming the Church’s Sacred Scripture? CRITICAL THINKING 7. Share an example of when an individual interpretation of a particular Scripture passage would be inappropriate. APPLICATION 8. How can you personally share an element of the Church’s tradition? Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 193 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year. SECTION 3 was formulated around AD 150. It highlights the How the Church’s essential Christian belief in the Blessed Trinity by pro- claiming faith in: Memory Is Shared the first Divine Person—the almighty and eternal God the Father—and the work of creation; the second Divine Person—Jesus Christ, God the Son—and his work of Redemption; MAIN IDEA The Magisterium teaches with Christ’s own author- the third Divine Person—God the Holy Spirit— ity through creedal beliefs shared in dogma, doc- who is the origin and source of sanctification that trine, and Church law. comes to us through Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. (CCC, 190) Your acceptance of the tenets of the Apostles’ Creed and other Church dogma is essential for you to have a complete Faith and the deepest possible rela- tionship with God. Two things to remember about Church dogma are: 1. They are infallible and irreformable. 2. They cannot change in their essence since the truth, which has been revealed by God, remains for all eternity. This does not mean that the human language used to express dogmas cannot change. More explanation With the help of the Holy Spirit, the Magisterium NOTE TAKING teaches with the authority of Jesus Christ. This is espe- Summarize Information. Create a chart like the one below. As you read this section, fill in cially true when the Magisterium defines a dogma— a definition of each element of Church teach- that is, a central truth of Revelation that Catholics are ing and at least one example for each. obliged through Faith to believe. There is no universal list of Church dogma, Teaching Definition Example(s) although there are definitely dogmas that the Church Creed recognizes as universally important. Two primary creeds, the Apostles’ Creed and the Dogma Nicene Creed, comprise the main teachings of the Doctrine Church. A creed is a simple, logically ordered state- ment of beliefs. The basic text of the Apostles’ Creed Canon Law 194 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  of dogmas, other Church teachings, and the way they to illuminate the beautiful statue. So it is with Church are expressed follows. dogmas. Their purpose, like the floodlights, is to help you to direct your gaze on Christ, who is himself the Dogmatic Teaching indescribable beauty of God and the means of Salva- Dogma communicates God’s saving message as tion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes revealed in Scripture and Tradition. As with the creeds, dogmas as the Church’s dogmatic teaching includes elements Lights along the path of faith; they illuminate of Divine Revelation, such as the divinity of Christ, it and make it secure. Conversely, if our life is the Resurrection, and Christ’s Real Presence in the upright, our intellect and heart will be open to Eucharist. welcome the light shed by the dogmas of faith. The Church recognizes that dogmas are living (CCC, 89) teachings that can be shared in different ways in differ- This is not to say that dogmas cannot develop over ent times. Further study and theological reflection can time and help to reveal even more of the truth. Turn- improve the way a teaching is articulated. Though a ing again to the analogy, the floodlights can later be dogma is infallible, or without error, the Church is not adjusted to a new angle or the bulbs changed to affect prohibited from finding better ways to communicate a new and brighter illumination of the statue. its truth. The Church may in fact over time change the way the dogma is shared, but the essential truth of the Charisms of Indefectibility and dogma itself will never be reversed. It is a basic tenet Infallibility of Catholicism that every dogmatic statement protects Dogmatic teachings are taught with the charism of an essential truth. infallibility and protected with the gift of indefectibil- Each time the Magisterium declares that a par- ity. Both gifts ensure that the Church will never depart ticular statement or concept is part of the Deposit of from teaching the truth of Faith, recalling that Jesus Faith, Catholics are obliged to accept that the asser- promised: “And behold, I am with you always until tion is true. Because Catholics believe in mediated the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). The gift of indefectibil- grace—that is, grace given in concrete ways and not ity reminds us that the Church will always teach the simply through abstract concepts—dogmas must be Gospel without error, even in spite of the defects of her expressed so that they can be practically understood members, both the ordained and the laity. and acted on. Non-Catholics and Catholics alike often misun- What is it like for dogma to express a particular derstand the meaning of infallibility related to Church truth? Imagine that a local parish has contracted a teaching. First, infallibility is not a magic wand that world-renowned artist to create a sculpture of Christ the pope and bishops get to wave over their teachings the Good Shepherd. After a long wait the statue is to make them inviolable and true. Rather, infallibility finally unveiled for the parishioners. It is an evening is God’s promise to the Church that when it comes to ceremony and the pastor proudly turns on some spe- cially designed floodlights that illumine the piece of art. infallibility A gift of the Holy Spirit whereby the pope and It is unlikely that those in attendance would exclaim: the bishops are preserved from error when proclaiming a “My, what impressive floodlights!” The purpose of the doctrine related to Christian Faith or morals. floodlights is not to draw attention to themselves but Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 195 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  THE CHURCH and GalileAn interesting study of how dogmatic teaching arises and how it evolves in a new way revolves around the Church’s controversial response to the scientific discoveries of Galileo Galilei, and her more recent comments on his teachings. When Galileo declared in the sixteenth century that the earth revolved around the sun, rather than the sun around the earth, many Christians were shocked. According to the thinking of the time, if the earth was not the physical center of the universe then neither the earth nor those who live on it could be central to God’s plan for creation. After consultation with many theologians and scientists, the Magisterium concluded that one could not affirm the centrality of Christ to the universe without also affirming the centrality of the earth, Christ’s home, within the universe. Thus, the Magisterium declared that Galileo’s assertion was a heresy. As the understanding of the difference between scientific and religious truth developed, it became clear that one could accept Galileo’s teachings without rejecting Christ and the Church. Although the essence of the Church’s dogma regarding the centrality of Christ and the importance of the earth as Christ’s home has not changed, the way this dogma is expressed has changed completely. In 1979 St. John Paul II commissioned a group to study the Galileo case. In 1992 he announced the commission’s findings acknowledging that the “birth of a new way of approaching the study of natural phenomena demands a clarification on the part of all disciplines of knowledge,” and offered the Church’s formal apology to Galileo, who also happened to be a devout Catholic and remained so for the rest of his life. 196 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  The pope teaches many lessons of the faith in a variety of settings that do not rise to the level of infallible. matters pertaining to Faith and morals and Salvation, for St. Peter’s Basilica in the seventeenth century.) The Catholics can be confident that Church teaching will last infallible statement declared by a pope was in 1950 be a definitive guide. This gift does not apply to other by Pope Pius XII regarding the Assumption of Mary— statements the pope or bishops make. The pope cannot the dogma that after her death Mary was taken into declare, for example, that all people in Cleveland must Heaven body and soul. Another infallible teaching root for the Pittsburgh Steelers and expect that Cath- occurred on December 8, 1854, when Pope Pius IX olics would comply. Such a statement is not a matter proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Faith and morals and Salvation. of Mary. The pope teaches infallibly when he teaches as a You may be surprised that both of these beliefs pastor of all the faithful, is proclaiming a definitive about Mary were not official Church teachings until doctrine pertaining to Faith or morals, and does so those relatively recent times. Regarding the Immac- intending to use his full authority in an unchangeable ulate Conception, consider that from her origins the decision. While the teaching of the pope is the teach- Church held a belief that Mary was always pure and ing of the apostolic Faith and without error, infallible perfect. From at least the sixth century, the Church definitions are rare. When the pope does define a doc- celebrated Mary’s birth on September 8. This was sig- trine of faith infallibly he does so ex cathedra; that is, nificant because the Church typically celebrated the “from the chair”—referring to the chair of St. Peter and death day of a saint—the day the saint entered Heaven meaning as St. Peter’s successor. (The cathedra or chair and was freed from sin. By celebrating Mary’s birth, of St. Peter shown on page 194 was cast and designed Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 197 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  All of these elements of Scripture and Tradition The Way God went into Pope Pius IX’s decision to officially proclaim the Immaculate Conception a dogma of the Church. Communicates In addition, years before the proclamation, the pope His Word had sent a letter to ask the bishops of the world what they, their priests, and their people believed about the When people engage in conversation, the Immaculate Conception. There was overwhelming exchange is often imperfect. One person support for this belief from people everywhere. This speaks while the other may only be think- teaching about Mary was a clear reflection of the gen- ing of what to say next. In reality, many eral belief of the People of God. Thus the Immaculate dialogues turn into shared monologues. Conception became a dogma of Faith. This is not to say that communication Interestingly, four years after Pope Pius IX pro- between two people never moves beyond claimed the dogma, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared the superficial level. For instance, imag- to a fourteen-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubirous, at ine communication between two people Lourdes, France. In one of the apparitions, Mary told in love: they choose their words to one St. Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” another carefully and listen to each other When the young girl accounted the Lady’s name to intently because of their deep feelings for the local pastor he was amazed. There was no way she one another. could have known that title for Mary unless it had been revealed to her. It was a stunning revelation to the Church that Mary herself had confirmed the dogma. Catholics are always obliged to believe and uphold Church dogma, and commit heresy if they formally reject dogma. This is not to say a Catholic might not struggle with a dogma or other teaching of the Church. Some of the great saints struggled and doubted. What matters in such situations is that we remain trusting in God and pray as did the father of a son possessed by a demon: “I do believe, help my unbelief ” (Mk 9:24). Now imagine the way that God the Father com- municates with human beings. God is not content to the Church was also saying that Mary was sinless from engage in idle chatter. God the Father wants to share her conception, nine months before on December 8. his very life and being with you. Thus, he utters not Scripture supported the belief. Mary was greeted just imperfect human words, but the Divine Word. by the angel Gabriel as the one who was “full of grace.” Whereas human words fall short, the Divine Word Many other places in Scripture, such as the Protoevan- does not. Whereas human words—even if between gelium in Genesis 3:15, told of the Mother of the Savior two lovers—always leave something unspoken or who would be victorious over evil and death. unshared, God’s Word perfectly communicates his very being and his perfect love to all people. This is 198 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  sometimes referred to as the Trinitarian mission of the Additionally, the Holy Spirit remains active within Divine Word. God speaks himself into human history you, allowing you to receive Christ in your heart and as an unsurpassable Word of love. That Word is Jesus share the Good News with others. This doctrinal teach- Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, the ing on the essential role of the Holy Trinity provides Eternal Word of God. deep insight into not only how Divine Revelation is But there is more to the way that God communi- shared, but on the meaning of Divine Revelation itself. cates than that. When humans speak to one another The Word, Jesus Christ, is the perfect expression of their speech is made possible by their capacity to the Father’s love for humankind. The Word is shared breathe. If a person is punched in the solar plexus and through the work of the Holy Spirit who also allows has the “wind knocked out” for a moment, he or she the Word to bear fruit in the lives of all. is unable to speak. You have to be able to breathe to The response to this communication of the Divine speak. Yet in ordinary conversations no one focuses Word is Faith. The Second Vatican Council explained: on his or her own breathing or the breathing of the To make this act of faith, the grace of God and other. If you heard a good lecture at school or a good the interior help of the Holy Spirit must pre- homily at Mass, you don’t tell your friends what a great cede and assist, moving the heart and turning it “breather” the person was. You focus on their words, to God, opening the eyes and minds and giving not on the breath that emits those words. “joy and ease to everyone in assenting to the There is a connection with breath and the Trinity. truth and believing it.” To bring about an even In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for spirit is deeper understanding of revelation the same ruah which means “wind” or “breath.” Similarly, in the New Testament the Greek word for Spirit, pneuma, also means the same. The Holy Spirit has been described as the “holy breath of God.” Thus, when the Father speaks his definitive Word of love into human history, the Word is borne by the Holy Spirit. One reason the Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the “forgotten Person of the Holy Trinity” is that people do not often focus on the way the Spirit breathes God’s Word. Rather, they focus on Jesus Christ who is God’s Word. This mission of the Holy Spirit is as necessary for sharing Divine Revelation as your ability to breathe is to communicating with one another in words. This is mirrored in the essential relationship between the Sec- ond Person of the Blessed Trinity and the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. St. Paul taught: “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3). And the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that in order “to be in touch with Christ, [you] must The Virgin Mary reveals to St. Bernadette Soubirous that Mary is “the first have been touched by the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 683). Immaculate Conception.” Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 199 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Holy Spirit constantly brings faith to completion by his gifts. (Dei Verbum, 5) Divine Revelation and Faith form warfare and offered clear teaching on the prohibition of two parts of the sharing of God’s memory with human artificial birth control. Each of these is in the category beings: God’s invitation and our response. of authoritative doctrine. Catholics are obliged to do Doctrine everything within their power to follow these teachings. In instances when Catholics struggle with an Not all of Church teaching is at the status of dogma. authoritative doctrine to a point where they are con- Doctrine refers to any belief that has the official sidering disobeying the doctrine, it is often because approval of the Magisterium. All of the Church’s doc- they have an inadequate understanding of that trine is based upon the Revelation of God in Jesus teaching. They are obliged to seek out the proper Christ, which is expressed in dogma. In other words, understanding from a respected teacher of Faith (for doctrine helps Catholics to understand the implica- example, a priest, deacon, or catechist) and to learn tions of dogma. more about the teaching, to ensure a proper under- Definitive doctrine includes teachings that are not standing. If the teaching concerns a moral matter, revealed by God but are necessary for protecting and the person also must undergo an examination of explaining Divine Revelation. Because these teach- conscience. This can be done under the guidance ings, like dogmas, are also taught with the charism of of a priest. Very often when Catholics struggle with infallibility, they are also irreversible and irreformable. accepting a particular doctrine, they are really afraid One example is the Church’s teaching on Purgatory, of changing their lives. In this case, they should pray the state of purification that souls must undergo in to the Holy Spirit for strength to accept the Church’s order to enter Heaven. This teaching was not revealed consistent teaching. Finally, they must consider the directly by God, but the Scriptures support it with possibility that their reluctance to accept the Church’s several examples of the faithful praying for the dead. teaching comes from some resentment regarding the Catholics are to firmly accept and hold as true those authority of the Church’s Magisterium. It is essential teachings proposed as definitive doctrines. for Catholics to accept the legitimacy of the Church’s Authoritative doctrines are those that are not teaching office. divinely revealed but which are drawn from the Church’s reflection on Divine Revelation. These teach- examination of conscience An honest assessment of ings are taught authoritatively with the assistance of how well we have lived God’s covenant of love. This exam- ination leads us to accept responsibility for our sins and the Holy Spirit but not infallibly. For example, the to realize our need for God’s merciful forgiveness. Church has outlined just-war principles that apply to 200 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Canon Law The Church’s laws are contained in the Code of Canon Law. Over the centuries the Code has been Every community and organization has to be governed revised several times, most recently in 1983 for the by rules that guide its day-to-day life. The Church is no Latin Church and in 1991 for the Eastern Church. A different. The Catholic Church is governed by a set of faithful Catholic is to accept and obey canon law with laws and regulations intended to identify structures, humility and openness to the grace that comes with practices, and norms for Catholics to assist them on obedience even when a person may have some diffi- their way to holiness. This body of legislation—called culties with a given law. To take an example from civil canon law—may govern matters as diverse as how a life, even though a person might believe the speed limit parish is to go about purchasing land for a new church on the highway to be too low, he or she still must obey or the decision of a bishop about the number of Holy the law out of respect for law and order. Days of Obligation to be celebrated in his diocese. The word “canon” is from the Greek word for “rule.” Canon law is also called “Church law.” PRECEPTS of the CHURCH Key Church laws are known as precepts of the Church, and include those listed in the chart. Catholics are required to keep the precepts of the Church. 1 You shall attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and rest from servile labor. On Sundays we are obliged to attend Mass. This is rooted in the Law of the Lord and expressed in the Third Commandment. Catholics are likewise to attend Mass on Holy Days of Obligation. In the United States these are the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas (December 25), the Solemnity of Mary (January 1), the Feast of the Ascension (when celebrated on a Thursday, forty days after Easter), the Assumption of Mary (August 15), and All Saints’ Day (November 1). Sunday is also a day to relax and unwind from work and to spend time with family. 2 You shall confess your sins at least once a year. Catholics must go to confession at least once a year, and whenever they are in the state of mortal sin. The Sacrament of Penance also purifies us from venial sins. Confessing our sins to a priest assures us that we will properly be prepared to receive the Eucharist. 3 You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season. This precept is a minimal requirement for receiving the Eucharist. We should make it a habit to receive Holy Communion often, whenever we are in a state of grace. feature continued on next page Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 201 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  4 You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church. In the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5–7), Jesus taught three mutually enriching paths to holiness: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (charity to the poor). The Church has prescribed days such as Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, when we are to fast and abstain from certain types of food. Fasting requires that a person eat just one full meal and two smaller meals on that day. Abstinence laws require not eating meat. In addition, we are to observe these practices at other times throughout the year. 5 You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church. Catholics must support the Church with the gifts of their time and talent, and their monetary gifts as well. Service to others is also a basic requirement of being Catholic. The precepts of the Church address the moral and Christian life of all Catholics. These special Church laws are nourished by the liturgy. SECTION ASSESSMENT NOTE TAKING Use the chart you completed for this section to help you answer the following questions. 1. What essential beliefs do the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds express? 2. Explain how doctrine may differ from dogma. 3. What is the intention of canon law? VOCABULARY ? 4. Define the charism of infallibility. COMPREHENSION 5. How did Mary confirm her title of “Immaculate Conception”? ANALYSIS 6. Explain the role of the Holy Spirit in communicating God’s Word. REFLECTION 7. Share how you have been able to evolve in your articulation of a personal belief over time. 202 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  SECTION 4 Returning to the Catechism’s definition of the Church’s Apostolicity and apostolicity, the third quality that makes the Church apostolic is that “she continues to be taught, sanctified, Church Leadership and guided by the apostles until Christ’s return” (CCC, 857). This part of the definition describes three main tasks of the pope and bishops: MAIN IDEA to teach The Faith that Christ first shared with the Apostles to sanctify is preserved and passed on through the teaching to govern office of the pope and bishops. Before considering the teaching office, the par- ticular focus of this section, note briefly the tasks of sanctification and governance. Bishops are to be models of sanctification, or holi- ness, for the people. The First Letter of Peter directs bishops to “[T]end the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it.... Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock” (1 Pt 5:3–4). Through the sanctifying office of the bishop, bishops (and priests) help to make the Church holy by their NOTE Supporting Details. Create a flow chart like the one below to highlight the three main tasks of the pope and bishops. Use additional panels to name TAKING and summarize three levels the bishops teach on within the Church. TASKS OF THE POPE AND BISHOPS To Teach Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 203 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year. 1JESUS TEACH DID WAYto as Find or create opportunities in your everyday life to teach as Jesus did. One way you can teach the Gos- pel message is by volunteering to teach a lesson to younger children in a parish religious education pro- gram. You might choose to teach on Jesus’ miracles or parables, or on the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pen- tecost. Be creative in sharing the lesson. Incorporate assignment. Volunteer to substitute for a regular class- activities like role-plays, artwork, and discussion. Make room catechist or to teach your lesson under the regular sure your lesson is age appropriate. catechist’s supervision. Write a reflection summary of In order to complete this activity, contact a par- your lesson and teaching as your assignment for this ish director of religious education and explain the course. prayer, by their work, by sharing the Word of God, teachers is recorded throughout the New Testament, and by celebrating the sacraments, with special focus but particularly witnessed in the Acts of the Apostles. on the Eucharist. Consider Peter’s transformation at Pentecost and his As delegates of Christ, bishops also govern the speech, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that moved the Church. The governing office of the bishop is held people of Jerusalem to accept the Lord (see Acts 2:14– in union with the pope. Bishops govern the dioceses 42). The Apostles ordained bishops from one gener- assigned to them with their words and actions. As in ation to the next, and the bishops, in union with the his relationship with the college of bishops, a bishop pope, have preserved the apostolic Faith of the Church interacts with the people of his diocese in dialogue through the teaching office. and with compassion. The Second Vatican Council The successors of the Apostles, the bishops, are taught that “the faithful should be closely attached to called “heralds of faith” and “authentic teachers.” Bish- the bishop as the Church is to Jesus Christ and Jesus ops have been given the power to call all people to Christ is to the Father” (Lumen Gentium, 27 § 2). Faith and to strengthen those who already possess a The teaching office of the bishop is the first pastoral living Faith. Bishops teach the mystery of Jesus Christ task of bishops. Jesus was an exceptional teacher. He in its entirety so that all people can find Salvation in was often addressed as “rabbi,” which means teacher. him and in the Church. Their apostolic teaching min- Christ chose Twelve Apostles and granted them the istry is undertaken in different forms and the task is responsibility for preserving his teaching in the life of also shared by priests, deacons, and all Catholics. the Church. The unique authority of the Apostles as 204 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  The Teaching Magisterium several ways. First, the bishop regularly visits parishes in his diocese. He is often present for occasions like of the Bishops the dedication of a new church, the installation of a Though the exercise of their teaching office, bishops pastor, a special Lenten or Advent series in which he is “proclaim to humanity the Gospel of Christ” (Christus the featured speaker, and usually once per year as the Dominus, 12). Fortified by the Holy Spirit, the teach- minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation. On each ing of the bishops calls all people to believe in Jesus of these occasions he uses the opportunity to initiate Christ. For those with a living Faith, the teaching of and promote dialogue with the people and offer clear the bishops is intended to strengthen it. For those who teaching on matters of Faith and morals. Some of this have not yet heard or accepted the Gospel, the bish- instruction may occur in his homily at Mass. op’s teaching is a call to belief. To both audiences, the The bishop teaches by monitoring catechesis, bishops teach the mystery of Christ in its entirety. They supervising the training of catechists, and setting also teach the way to give glory to God, thus helping all a curriculum for religious instruction that is based people on the way to the reward of eternal happiness. on Scripture, Tradition, liturgy, and on the teaching A bishop teaches on different levels within the authority and life in the Church. The bishop also has Church: in his own diocese, regionally and nationally, the responsibility to teach all the people of his dio- and on a worldwide basis. cese, not only Catholics. To fulfill this responsibility Diocesan Level catechesis A process of “education in the Faith” for young people and adults with the goal of making them disciples In his own diocese, the bishop teaches directly to his of Christ. people and through his priests. This task is handled in Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 205 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year. he may write a pastoral letter or articles in the local newspaper. He may also appear in interviews done by the local media to offer the Gospel perspective on issues facing the community—perhaps the plight of local farm workers or the impending execution of a capital criminal. Regional or National Level Bishops also teach on a regional or national level, How the Church working with a conference of bishops from their own country to address issues that affect the entire nation. In the United States, this association of bishops is TEACHES called the United States Conference of Catholic Bish- ops (USCCB). The group is made up of the entire body of bishops in the United States along with hundreds of support staff. It meets as a body at least twice a year. Check out the section on how the Church Among the issues the USCCB has recently addressed teaches from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website (www.usccb.org/ are life issues, family issues involving marriage and beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/). Write women in society, as well as social justice issues affect- a two-page report that summarizes how the ing both the United States and the world at large. Church teaches under the following categories: evangelization, new evangelization, parish Worldwide Level life/Catholic education, youth ministry, and When collaborating collegially with other bishops and catechesis. the pope, bishops also teach on a worldwide level. That part of the teaching office is linked with the Magiste- rium. Recall that it is the task of the Magisterium to preserve the truth first taught by Christ and handed down through apostolic succession. This is done through the gift of infallibility. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the college of bishops, in union with the pope, exercises the gift of infallibility when teaching about or protecting Christ’s Revelation on matters of Faith or morals. As mentioned earlier, an infallible teaching may be proclaimed by an ecumenical council or by Write a brief definition for each category pastoral letter An open letter by the bishop to the priests and an example of how the Church enacts each and people of his diocese offering instruction, advice, or type of teaching. directions for behavior regarding a special circumstance. 206 Jesus and the Church Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  the bishops when they teach collectively and in union established a means for the Church to remember and with the pope. keep her identity, rooted in Christ. As written in the The goal of the Church’s apostolic ministry is a Book of Revelation: significant one: to extend God’s Kingdom to the ends The wall of the city had twelve courses as of the earth. Then, all those that Christ has redeemed, its foundation, on which were inscribed the holy and blameless, will be gathered together as one names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Rv People of God. The Apostles themselves have laid the 21:14) groundwork for attaining this goal. They have also SECTION ASSESSMENT NOTE TAKING Use the flow chart you kept for this section to help you complete the True or False items below. 1. The sanctification office of the bishop is his first pastoral task. 2. Writing a letter in the diocesan newspaper is one way a bishop may practice his teach- ing office. 3. The first task of the Magisterium is to preserve the truth first taught by Christ and handed down through apostolic succession. VOCABULARY ? Match the term in the first column with its corresponding definition. Record the letters only as your response. 4. catechesis A. education in the Faith 5. pastoral letter B. a letter from the pope 6. encyclical C. a letter from a bishop COMPREHENSION 7. What are three main tasks of the bishops? 8. Name three ways the bishop teaches in his diocese. APPLICATION 9. Describe an occasion when you were taught by a bishop. What was the lesson? 10. Name a Gospel passage that best represents for you Christ as teacher. Chapter 5: The Church Is Apostolic 207 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  Section Summaries CHAPTER REVIEW Focus Question How does the Church preserve and pass on the faith first shared by the Apostles? Complete one of the following: Create a social media webpage promoting an issue of importance to teens that incorporates dialogue about God, Faith, and the Church. Some issues to consider: chastity, refraining from alcohol and drug use, pro- tecting the sanctity of life, and volunteer opportunities to help the poor. Read chapter 3, “On the Hierarchical Structure of the Church,” of the Second Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium. Imagine you have been commissioned to write an abridged text of this chapter. Write a one-sentence summary for each section, 18 to 29. Write a one-para- graph summary of the entire chapter 3. Research and create a spreadsheet listing five popes from a particular age (e.g., the early Church or recent times) by length of time in the papacy, by chosen names, by nations of origin, by age at the time of selection, and any other category you find interesting. INTRODUCTION (PAGES 183–184) Preserving and Sharing Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church is apostolic in three ways: (1) She is founded on the Apostles, who Christ himself chose to preach the Good News; (2) She remains faithful to the teachings of the Apostles; and (3) She continues to be taught, guided, and made holy by the successors of the Apostles, the pope and bishops. “The Church’s mark of apostolicity helps to strengthen the faith of Cath- olics.” Comment on the truth of this statement. Jesus and the Church 208 Licensed to Bishop Gorman High School for the 2024–25 school year.  CHAPTER REVIEW SECTION 1 (PAGES 185–189) Remembering Who We Are The Church’s sacred memory, often described as anamnesis or “remembrance,” is essential for the Church’s life and preservation. In her memory, the Church recalls God’s Revelation through time and made complete in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Church’s sacred memory is intended to be shared with all and is preserved through the Apostles and their successors, the pope and bishops. Share one Revelation from the Gospels that has helped you to know God’s love. SECTION 2 (PAGES 190–193) How the Church’s Memory Is Preserved God reveals himself to the Church in a single Deposit of Faith that is found both in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Christ commissioned the Apostles to interpret God’s Word. This teaching authority extends to the pope and bishops in communion with Christ. Define analogy of faith. Describe a way you would explain this meaning to a peer who has never heard this term before. SECTION 3 (PAGES 194–202) How the Church’s Memory Is Shared Dogmas are infallible teachings of the Magisterium that communicate God’s sav- ing message as revealed in Scripture and Tradition. Every dogma is a doctrine, though some doctrines are not dogma nor infallible. The essential truth of dogma never changes, though the way it is articulated may change over time. Acceptance