RS Midterm Stewardship of God's Creation PDF

RS Midterm Laudato Si’ Pope Francis gives a biblical account of creation, Stewardship of God’s Creation then meditates on the mystery of the universe Old Testament: God’s...

RS Midterm Laudato Si’ Pope Francis gives a biblical account of creation, Stewardship of God’s Creation then meditates on the mystery of the universe Old Testament: God’s Promise of Salvation which he sees as a continuing revelation of the Revealed Divine. “Everything is related… woven together by the love of God for creation and creatures.” There are Two Stories of Creation in the Bible - Genesis Chapter 1 The Encyclical is a call to Conversion and Action, - Genesis Chapter 2 an invitation to change direction by taking on the task of caring for our Common Home. Comparison between the Two Creation Stories The MAIN THEMES 1. the relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet 2. the conviction that everything in the world is connected 3. the critique of the new paradigms and forms of power and derived from technology 4. the call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress 5. the value proper to each creature 6. the human meaning of ecology 7. the need for direct and honest debate 8. the serious responsibility of international and local policy 9. the throwaway culture and the proposal of a new lifestyle WAYS ON HOW WE COULD START THE CHANGE 1. Approach nature with “awe and wonder” If we see nature as a part of God's creation and see our connection to all living things, we are struck by its beauty and seek to care for it instead of subdue it. 2. Reuse instead of Throw Away God and Human Being: Nature of their Pope Francis highlights recycling as an Relationship essential part of life, which will greatly reduce the need for landfills and will help us A. The principle and end of humans is God, preserve our earth for generations to come. the one who breathed life and destined him and her in paradise. 3. Preserve Nature’s Diversity B. Human Being is elevated by God, willed Pope Rancis warns us not to “think of from the start, to be STEWARDS of God’s different species merely as potential creation. ‘resources’ to be exploited, while C. Human Beings are the image of God’s overlooking the fact that they have value in goodness and love and are called to themselves.” cultivate and share such goodness and love to the rest of creation. 4. Have physical contact with nature D. God’s creation must never be understood Pope Francis writes that “were not meant to as a one-time event but as an on-going, be inundated by cement, asphalt, glass and sustaining creative act of God. metal, and deprived of physical contact with nature.” GENESIS creation story is a testimony, a tribute to an all-powerful, loving God who, out of His Creation is a Gift immense love, exploded with so much goodness Concern for the environment is no longer optional. and love and desired that every creature, especially A person of faith should show even more man and woman be made sharers of the Divine. responsibility regarding creation, which is a gift from God. We want the next generation will also Stewardship of God’s Creation: enjoy the fruits of the earth that our loving God has Human Being’s Responsibility given us. (Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis) Synthesis seemed to share the thought, feeling and even the The grandeur, beauty and power of Creation is a values of the father. Many of us are like him, we manifestation of the greatness of God’s power and pray the rosary, attend mass regularly and attend love. But when we looked at the current state of prayer meetings yet we are so detached, aloft and nature, we cannot deny the fact that we neglected isolated from God. The feeling of not needing God our sacred duty of protecting and preserving this because we feel that we have become gods wonderful gift. We become abusive stewards. We ourselves. The elder son character in the story thought that there is no limit to the earth’s highlights the basic contrast of the father’s invitation generosity. The call of Pope Francis to reflect and for his unconditional forgiveness. Such invitation is repent is urgent. We have to act now before it is too for all, since everyone needs God’s forgiving mercy late. The disasters we are experiencing are signs for all have sinned against His Love and Grace. that we have to do our part, to become the stewards that God wanted us to become. The Fall from God’s Glory Genesis 3:1-6 Lesson 2: Sin and Grace Events leading up to the fall Old Testament: God’s Promise of Salvation Serpent introduced Revealed Temptation Sin Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” - JOHN 8:34 Genesis 3:7-24 Results of the fall Introduction God's pointed questioning Genesis Creation accounts show us the ORIGINAL Curse of sin BLESSING that we, human beings received from Coats of skin the Loving God: the blessing of being created in His Banishment from the garden image and likewise, the blessing of wholeness, the blessing of peace and harmony with God’s I. God’s Command of Prohibition creation. However, in that same creation narrative, “Knowledge of Good and Evil= in the Hebrew humans fall short of the basic required responses understanding, it refers to a WHOLE, an that would have enabled us to be sustained by that ENTIRETY, to everything same Divine blessing. We squandered, we sinned A supreme quality that is only due to God, the so intensely and immensely broke our relationships Creator in all aspects; God, Oneself, Others, and Nature. Thus, God commanded our first parents not to eat The Hebrew biblical thinkers saw it to be extreme the fruit of the tree of knowledge because “they will that it moved even God to restore everything back die”, meaning, our limited human nature cannot to Himself, thus, the Divine Grace through His Son, contain everything in an instant. We undergo a Jesus our Lord. PROCESS before we can at least have a grasp of the truth of life. The story of the Prodigal son describes our very II.Concepts of Knowing and Eating (Hebrew own story with God, the Father. The father in the Understanding) story represents God, the source of all blessings in Knowing is committing into action his domain or kingdom. In the same way, He Eating refers to our basic human desires, possesses justice which readily prepared to be our passion, our appetites dispensed to all repentant, sinful humanity. For God’s justice is His very own loving forgiveness III. Freedom of Choice and compassionate mercy. In the parable, both God loves us so much that is why He gave sons describe our sinful humanity, both need the us the freedom to love Him or not compassion of the father. If we obey Him it must be because of our LOVE for Him not because we are forced to The youngest son represents many of us who But if we will choose not to love Him, then, after squandering the blessings of the father we are turning away from WHO WE ARE, through mundane ventures and pleasures find thus, destroying ourselves in the process himself empty and isolated. That same experience of isolation and emptiness led him to realize the IV. Human Beings’ Nature abundance in his father’s house. He also realized God is our Creator, we are his creatures, his need of his father’s forgiveness. Many of us therefore we cannot be equal with God, also feel the same as he did. thereby, we need to submit to His MORAL AUTHORITY over us (“Do not eat the fruit of And so with the elder son who feels no need of his the tree of knowledge”) father’s forgiveness. Many of us are in the same As human beings, we will never be able to circumstance. It is noteworthy that the elder son, accommodate, comprehend or contain the who with his father all his life seemed aloft, isolated knowledge of everything unto ourselves and and so detached from his father. He doesn’t by ourselves  God commanded us to OBEY Him for He (Genesis 3:12) knows what is BEST for us. Genesis chapter 3 tells us that when TEMPTATION But why human beings sinned? SIN came, human beings gave in to their desires, to RESULTED DUE TO LACK OF what they think is good. DISCERNMENT. The primary fault of the man and woman was their refusal to discern and decide in a CONSCIOUS, Symbolism of Serpent DELIBERATE and RATIONAL WAY. We In the story of our Fall, a serpent was used must ask ourselves, God has given them to signify the DEEPEST levels of life- the everything in paradise except for one tree. UNCONSCIOUS, the DARK and Why not focus and enjoy the 99.99% UNKNOWN SIDE of human nature. blessings that God had given them? If they We have also to remember the different just think deeply and discern the situation, LITERARY GENRE the biblical authors they might not end up choosing wrongly. used in telling the story, so, we have to put The purpose of the biblical authors in telling in mind that the serpent there is a SYMBOL us this story is to teach us a very valuable of what is INSIDE of us; our longings, our LESSON. Before we DECIDE and ACT, we fantasies, our desires that are not any more have to DISCERN first. We have to appropriate to our being created in the remember what the Lord had taught us in image and likeness of God. order for us to choose what is GOOD in God’s sight. When human beings are able to stop our V. HUMAN BEINGS’ RESPONSE TO GOD’S appetite and desires, we will be able to Love: Disobedience DISCOVER a world of VIRTUES that are superior to all that can satisfy the natural Temptation is not sin in itself but an appetites. occasion either to sin or to become stronger in our striving to follow and obey God. VI. SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES Sin is a turning away from love and the The sin of Adam and Eve is the sin of all. The result is very devastating consequences of that first sin includes; Man and woman let the snake (passion and a. Lack of harmony in creation desires) decide for them b. Tensions in the relationship between men and Before sin, human beings were in harmony women with God (no lies), with themselves (no c. Subjection of creation to decay (entrance of shame), with each other (no blaming), with death into human history, CCC) other creatures (no animal cruelty, no d. Human Being’s Inclination to sin, to disobey the destruction of environment) Divine (called concupiscence) But with sin, everything changed. It brought DIVISION and ALIENATION to our VII. GOD’S GRACE: Redemption through Jesus, RELATIONSHIP with ourselves (we are the New Adam ashamed of who we are), with others (we point fingers to others), with the A. The Temptation: The first human beings were environment (we destroy God’s creation due tempted and they failed. In our context today, more to our greed) and ultimately with our Creator often than not we commit the same mistake of (we distance ourselves from Him, doing giving in to temptations. We often blame things that we consider good and beautiful temptations for our sins. in our sight) Jesus was sent to the world. He was a human Anatomy of the Result of Disobedience being and He, too, was tempted but unlike Adam, the first man, He said NO to temptations. This is a Shame- Adam and Eve realized they were naked LESSON for us. If we give in to temptations, we will so they covered their bodies. reap the devastating effects of sins. But if we (Genesis 3:7) choose to say NO just like what Jesus did, we will remain with God and remain in His love. Fear - Adam and Eve hid when they hear God calling out to them in the garden. Temptation: The Two Adams Contrasted (Genesis 3:8) 1 John 2:16 Lying - Adam and Eve lie to God by telling him they “The lust of the flesh” hid because they were naked. “The Lust Of The Eyes” “ (Genesis 3:10) “The pride of life” Blame - Adam blames Eve for eating the fruit. Eve then blames the serpent. Genesis 3:6; First Adam “The tree was good for good” “It Was Pleasant To The Eyes” “A tree desirable to make one wise” Luke 4:1-13; Second Adam - Christ “Command this stone to become bread” “The devil...showed Him all the kingdoms” “Throw yourself down from here” B. Comparison between Adam and Jesus ADAM Authority over all creation Tempted and failed Caused all mankind to be infected with sin Disobedience to God leads to death Gave authority to satan JESUS Authority over all creation Tempted and passed (Hebrews 4:15) Gave all mankind the opportunity to be forgiven of sin (Romans 5:12, 15) Obedience to God leads to life (John 10:10) Took authority back from satan Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. - Romans 5:18 Let us imitate Jesus, the New Adam, who gave us New Life and brought HEALING to our broken relationship with our Self, with Others, with Nature and with God. SYNTHESIS God’s mercy and compassion is greater than our sins. Jesus, the New Adam, is teaching us to follow Him in His total OBEDIENCE to the Father’s will. This is the only way for us to live fully as God’s children, created in His image and likeness. LESSON 3: GOD’S COVENANT: RESTORING HUMANITY THROUGH A SOLEMN PROMISE  Divine Call and Promises to As a young person, should you believe in a Abraham promise given to you? What are your criteria in God called Abraham to leave his homeland and giving your trust to such a promise, or reasons promised to bless him with descendants as for not believing in it? numerous as the stars. This covenant marked the beginning of God's plan to form a chosen people. Introduction: After the story of the Fall, the Book of Genesis The Land of Canaan as an continues to tell us the series of human downfall Inheritance which was brought by sin but was constantly saved by God’s unending, forgiving and restoring love. In addition to numerous descendants, God God made a promise to save fallen humanity, thus, promised to give Abraham's descendants the land restoring the broken relationship of human being of Canaan as an everlasting inheritance. This land with God, with Self, with Others and with Nature. holds great significance in the history and faith of the Jewish people. UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF COVENANT GOD'S COVENANT WITH ISAAC A COVENANT is derived from the Hebrew word, God established a covenant with Isaac, confirming Berit, which refers to an agreement between kins. the promises made to Abraham. This covenant When it is applied to the Bible, it takes on a deeper ensured the continuation of God's blessings and meaning: COVENANT is used “to express presence throughout generations to come. Yahweh’s purposeful relationship with an individual or a nation” or a reciprocal relationship between GOD'S COVENANT WITH JACOB Yahweh and His elected people, Israel. (Quimba, The Twelve Tribes Of Israel 2012) Jacob's Encounter with God - During an A covenant is a binding agreement or contract encounter with God, Jacob received God's between two parties, where each agrees to fulfill promises and blessings. This marked the specific obligations. In the case of God's Covenant, establishment of a covenant, solidifying Jacob's it represents the sacred promise between God and role in the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel. humanity. The Promised Land as an Inheritance - As part of IMPORTANCE OF COVENANT IN FAITH the covenant, God reiterated the promise made to Covenants serve as the foundation of faith, Abraham and Isaac regarding the land of Canaan. strengthening the relationship between God and Jacob's descendants would inherit this land, His people. They express commitment, trust, and fulfilling the covenant made with Abraham. mutual responsibilities. Jacob's Name Changed to Israel - As a symbolic The Bible describes various covenants, including gesture, God changed Jacob's name to Israel, those with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, signifying his new role as the father of the twelve and David. Each covenant carries unique promises tribes and the chosen people. and responsibilities, contributing to the overall narrative of God's plan for humanity. GOD'S COVENANT WITH MOSES SYMBOLISM WITHIN COVENANT The Law and Deliverance Covenants often involve symbolic acts or objects, such as the rainbow in Noah's covenant or the 1. The Giving of the Law circumcision in Abraham's covenant. These God made a covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai, symbols serve as reminders of God's faithfulness giving him the Ten Commandments and various and the obligations of humanity. laws. These laws served as guidelines and principles for the relationship between God and His GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH people. God made a covenant with Noah after the Great 2.Deliverance from Bondage Flood, promising never to destroy the earth by flood The covenant with Moses also encompassed the again. This covenant was symbolized by the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. appearance of a rainbow, representing God's God showed His faithfulness by leading the faithfulness and enduring love for His creation. Israelites through the Red Sea and providing for them in the wilderness. GOD'S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM 3.Responsibilities and Blessings Promise of Blessings Through the covenant with Moses, the Israelites God's covenant with humanity establishes moral were given the responsibility to obey God's and ethical guidelines through His commandments. commands. In return, God promised to bless and It is humanity's responsibility to obey these protect them as they journeyed towards the commands, demonstrating love for God and others. Promised Land. 4.The Ark of the Covenant 3.Worship and Devotion As a tangible representation of the covenant, God Worship lies at the heart of humanity's instructed Moses to build the Ark of the Covenant. responsibilities. It involves praising God, offering This sacred object housed the tablets containing prayers, and living a life dedicated to serving and the Ten Commandments and symbolized the honoring Him. presence of God among His 4.Practicing Justice and Compassion GOD'S COVENANT WITH DAVID Another crucial responsibility is to pursue justice, The Promise of a Forever Kingdom fairness, and compassion towards others. This includes advocating for the marginalized, helping 1.David's Anointing as King those in need, and promoting equality. God made a covenant with David, anointing him as the king of Israel. This covenant guaranteed that Living in Faithful Obedience to God's Covenant David's lineage would reign forever, establishing Living in faithful obedience to God's covenant the eternal aspect of God's covenant with humanity. means aligning one's actions and beliefs with God's 2.The Messianic Promise teachings. It involves cultivating a personal Within the Davidic covenant, God promised that a relationship with God, following His future Messiah would come from David's lineage. commandments, and actively seeking His guidance This promise was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus and wisdom in all aspects of life. Christ, who is regarded as the long-awaited Messiah. THE ETERNAL IMPACT OF GOD'S COVENANT KEY ELEMENTS OF GOD'S COVENANT WITH Hope and Salvation HUMANITY Promises and Mutual Responsibilities Eternal Life through Jesus Christ - God's covenant offers the promise of eternal life through Divine Promises Jesus Christ. By accepting Him as Savior, humanity Throughout God's covenant with humanity, several can experience salvation and enjoy an eternal key promises are consistently emphasized. These relationship with God. include blessings, protection, guidance, redemption, and eternal life. Restoration and Redemption - God's covenant provides the pathway for restoration and Mutual Responsibilities redemption. It offers forgiveness for sins, healing Alongside the promises, humanity has a vital role to for brokenness, and reconciliation between God play in the covenant. These responsibilities and humanity. encompass faithfulness, obedience, worship, love, and the pursuit of justice and righteousness. The Covenant as a Covenant of Grace God's covenant with humanity is rooted in grace - the unmerited favor of God. It demonstrates God's love and desire to restore the broken relationship between humanity and Himself, offering forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF HUMANITY IN GOD'S COVENANT Living a Life of Faith 1.Faith in God's Promises One of humanity's primary responsibilities in God's covenant is to have unwavering faith in His promises. This requires trusting in God's faithfulness, even in challenging circumstances. 2.Obeying God's Commands Lesson 4 - Judges, Kings and Prophets: God’s Deborah/Barak Leaders & Messengers - Once again, the Israelites offended God and He allowed the Israelites to fall under the INTRODUCTION power of Jabin, the Canaanite king Without failure and exhaustion, God delivered His promise to the descendants of Abraham, the - Deborah and her general, Barak (Naphtali), pledge of a land where they can live and thrive. In defeated Sisera, the general of the army of an endless, unconditional commitment, He raised Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor at the Battle and appointed leaders, kings, priests and prophets of Kishon near Mt Tabor. to guide Israel and remind them of their reciprocal duty in view of the covenant they made. - The Song of Deborah (Judges chapter 15) recounts the great victory. Judges THE TWELVE HEROES OF ISRAEL Gideon - The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon The Book of Judges at Ophrah. Judges in the Old Testament were not magistrates, but military leaders chosen by God to aid the - Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal. Seeking Israelites in times of external danger. However, confirmation of God's will, Gideon put out a these Judges described in Judges exercised their fleece twice for a sign. authority over one or other tribe but, never the entire nation. - He killed the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna in revenge for the killing of his The Judges protected and defended Israel from the brothers at the battle of Mt. Tabor. death of Joshua until the institution of the monarchy in Israel. Jephtah - Jephthah was the son of Gilead by a harlot There were two other Judges, Eli and Samuel and was driven away by his half-brothers. whose judgeships are described in 1 Samuel. They exercised their authority over the entire nation until - The elders of Gilead brought him back and the institution of the monarchy. made him their chief at Mizpah. Othniel - Jephthah refused to give up Gilead to the Son of Kenza, a Gentile Kenizzite convert of the Ammonites. He fought the Ammonites and - Exodus generation and younger brother of conquered some 20 cities. Caleb. Samson - Othniel was the nephew and son-in-law of - He was consecrated as a Nazarate from Caleb, and birth (Num chapter 6). - the son of Kenaz, Gentile Kenizzite converts who joined the tribe of Judah. - He had a fatal fondness for Philistine women. - Israelites forgot God and worshiped the Baals and Asherahs. God allowed them to - Samson was a man of immense strength: fall to Aram Naharaim he killed a lion with his hands; he killed 30 Philistines at Ashkelon, and a "thousand" - In the conquest of Canaan, Othniel captured with a jawbone of an ass. Debir. He became the first warrior-Judge of Israel and delivered Israel from the - Samson was conquered by a Philistine oppression of the Edomites. His family woman, Delilah, who discovered that his uncut hair was the source of his strength. Ehud - He was blinded and imprisoned at Gaza. - Son of Gera. - He called out to God who allowed his - Again the Israelites offended the Lord and strength to return. He pulled down the they fell to the Moabites Temple of Dagon killing himself and about 3,000 Philistines. - Ehud was a left-handed Benjaminite who personally killed Eglon king of Moab and Shamgar ended Moabite domination of Israel. - His name is not Hebrew. He was the sonof Anath - He killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.  - A contemporary of the Judge Deborah: the "Song of Deborah refers to "in the days of Shamgar ben Anath" (Judges Tola - Tola was probably from one of the leading clans of Issachar (Gen 46:13; Num 26:23) - Lived at Shamir in the territory of Ephraim. - He judged Israel 23 years and was buried in Shamir Jair - Jair may have been a descendant of the same Jair who distinguished himself during the days of Moses and Joshua (see Num 32:41; Dt 3:14; Josh 13:30; 1 King 4:13; 1Chr 2:21). - He had 30 sons who were itinerant judges. They possessed 30 cities Ibzan - Ibzan was a socially prominent man who had 30 sons and 30 daughters for whom he arranged marriages. - Jewish tradition identifies him with Boaz of Bethlehem-Judah. Elon - He was buried at Aijalon in Zebulun. - Judged Israel for 10 years Abdon - Abdon, the son of Hillel was a man of wealth and prominence. - He had 40 sons and 30 grandsons. - He was a native of Pirathon (near Shechem) and was buried there. - Judged Israel for 8 years