EVALUATION FOR WHY CATHOLIC GROUPS….Winter 2010
Please Return to Carolyn Saucier at Diocesan Pastoral Center, PO Box 104900, J.C. M0, 65110 or e-mail at reoassociate@diojeffcity.org THANKYOU…
1. How would you describe your EXPERIENCE OF being a part of Why Catholic small faith sharing groups so far?
2. Has the Why Catholic program met your expectations? Explain why or why not.
3. The part I found most helpful about these first six sessions of WHY CATHOLIC, was….
The part I found least helpful was…
4. Please comment on the participant booklets. Did the readings help you understand what we believe as Catholics? Were questions clear and thought-provoking? Were "Living the Good News" suggestions motivational?
5. Were the Diocesan pod-casts HELPFUL? What about the BLOG? Explain.
6. How can Jim and I in the Diocesan office be of more assistance to you?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Heaven, Hell, Purgatory
POPE JOHN PAUL II ON THE AFTERLIFE
HEAVEN
Divine revelation teaches us that heaven is neither an abstraction nor a physical place in the clouds, but a living and personal relationship of union with the Holy Trinity. Heaven is our definitive meeting with the Father which takes place in the risen Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Although the perfection of heaven will only be experienced after this life, the peace and happiness that it will bring can be anticipated in the sacraments – especially the Eucharist – and in the gift of ourselves in loving service of others. If we are able to enjoy properly the good things that the Lord showers upon us every day of our earthly lives, then we have begun to experience the joy which will be completely ours in the next life. In this world everything is subject to limits, but thoughts of our final and ultimate reality help us to live better the passing reality of each present moment.
HELL
Hell is not a punishment imposed by God, but the conditions resulting from attitudes and actions which people adopt in life. It is the ultimate consequence of sin itself. Scripture uses many images to describe the pain, frustration and emptiness of life without God. More than a physical place, hell is the state of those who freely and definitely separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy. So eternal damnation is not God’s work but is actually our own doing. Christian faith teaches us that there are creatures who have already given a definitive “no” to God; these are the spirits which rebelled against God and whom we call demons. They serve as a warning for human beings: eternal damnation remains a real possibility for us, too. The reality of hell should not, however, be a cause of anxiety or despair for believers. Rather, it is a necessary and healthy reminder that human freedom has to be conformed to the example of Jesus, who always said “yes” to God, who conquered Satan, and who gave us his Spirit so that we could call God “Father”.
PURGATORY
Sacred Scripture teaches us that we must be purified if we are to enter into perfect and complete union with God. Jesus Christ who became the perfect expiation for our sins and took upon himself the punishment that was our due, brings us God’s mercy and love. But before we enter into God’s kingdom, every trace of sin within us must be corrected. This is exactly what takes place in purgatory. Those who live in this state of purification after death are not separated from God but are immersed in the love of Christ. Neither are they separated from the saints in heaven – who already enjoy the fullness of eternal life – nor from us on earth – who continue our pilgrim journey to the Father’s house. We all remain united in the mystical body of Christ, and we can therefore offer up prayers and good works on behalf of our brothers and sisters in purgatory.
THE JOURNEY
The Christian life can be considered as a great pilgrimage to the house of the Father, “whose unconditional love for every human creature ... we discover anew each day”. (“Tertio Millennio Adveniente,” 49). Our present life is already marked by the salvation which Christ has won for us through his death and resurrection. We are journeying toward the full actualization of this salvation, which will take place at the final coming of the Lord.
As we make this journey, we are called to share in the paschal mystery of the Lord and to live up to the demands of Christ’s offer of redemption. An important part of this is our continual purification and struggle against sin, in the knowledge power of sin and death. In involving ourselves in the realities of this passing world, we must fix our gaze on our final goal, bringing the light of God to bear on all that we do.
HEAVEN
Divine revelation teaches us that heaven is neither an abstraction nor a physical place in the clouds, but a living and personal relationship of union with the Holy Trinity. Heaven is our definitive meeting with the Father which takes place in the risen Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Although the perfection of heaven will only be experienced after this life, the peace and happiness that it will bring can be anticipated in the sacraments – especially the Eucharist – and in the gift of ourselves in loving service of others. If we are able to enjoy properly the good things that the Lord showers upon us every day of our earthly lives, then we have begun to experience the joy which will be completely ours in the next life. In this world everything is subject to limits, but thoughts of our final and ultimate reality help us to live better the passing reality of each present moment.
HELL
Hell is not a punishment imposed by God, but the conditions resulting from attitudes and actions which people adopt in life. It is the ultimate consequence of sin itself. Scripture uses many images to describe the pain, frustration and emptiness of life without God. More than a physical place, hell is the state of those who freely and definitely separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy. So eternal damnation is not God’s work but is actually our own doing. Christian faith teaches us that there are creatures who have already given a definitive “no” to God; these are the spirits which rebelled against God and whom we call demons. They serve as a warning for human beings: eternal damnation remains a real possibility for us, too. The reality of hell should not, however, be a cause of anxiety or despair for believers. Rather, it is a necessary and healthy reminder that human freedom has to be conformed to the example of Jesus, who always said “yes” to God, who conquered Satan, and who gave us his Spirit so that we could call God “Father”.
PURGATORY
Sacred Scripture teaches us that we must be purified if we are to enter into perfect and complete union with God. Jesus Christ who became the perfect expiation for our sins and took upon himself the punishment that was our due, brings us God’s mercy and love. But before we enter into God’s kingdom, every trace of sin within us must be corrected. This is exactly what takes place in purgatory. Those who live in this state of purification after death are not separated from God but are immersed in the love of Christ. Neither are they separated from the saints in heaven – who already enjoy the fullness of eternal life – nor from us on earth – who continue our pilgrim journey to the Father’s house. We all remain united in the mystical body of Christ, and we can therefore offer up prayers and good works on behalf of our brothers and sisters in purgatory.
THE JOURNEY
The Christian life can be considered as a great pilgrimage to the house of the Father, “whose unconditional love for every human creature ... we discover anew each day”. (“Tertio Millennio Adveniente,” 49). Our present life is already marked by the salvation which Christ has won for us through his death and resurrection. We are journeying toward the full actualization of this salvation, which will take place at the final coming of the Lord.
As we make this journey, we are called to share in the paschal mystery of the Lord and to live up to the demands of Christ’s offer of redemption. An important part of this is our continual purification and struggle against sin, in the knowledge power of sin and death. In involving ourselves in the realities of this passing world, we must fix our gaze on our final goal, bringing the light of God to bear on all that we do.
Who were Joseph’s parents? Was he married before his betrothal to Mary?What does the perpetual virginity of Mary mean?
Who was Joseph's father? Was he married before his bethrothal to Mary?
Matthew says that Jacob was the father of Joseph. Luke says that Eli was the father of Joseph. Reconciling these two texts is a challenge indeed. Suffice it to say that there is scant evidence about the birth family of Joseph; however, the Gospels relate that he was of the lineage of King David. This aspect of the genealogy of Joseph is most theologically important because it supports the gospel writers’ intention to show that Jesus was the true heir of David, the greatest king of Israel. Hence the birth of Christ took place in the town of David, Bethlehem.
Many of the apocryphal gospels speculate on the origins of Joseph. The strange details that come up from these accounts demonstrate that while we are eager to know more about Christ, attempts at rewriting history can do great damage to cherished dogmas and tradition. I often marvel at the mystery of Christ. We know so little about him, yet what we know is enough for this life and the life to come.
Once again, the apocryphal gospels narrate that Joseph was married before he became espoused to Mary, and that he had children from this marriage. There is no definitive dogma on this aspect of the life of Joseph, and many saints allow for that possibility. What is clear from Scripture and Tradition is that Joseph was a just and pious man who was able to devote himself totally to the care of the Holy Family. Our artistic patrimony portrays Joseph as an elderly man at the time of the birth of Christ. That would imply that if there were a wife and children from a previous marriage, the situation was such that Joseph was free from any family obligations that would impede his total dedication to Mary and Jesus.
What does the perpetual virginity of Mary mean?
That Mary conceived Jesus miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit is well attested in Scripture. This is an article of our faith that has been held and taught consistently.
Throughout history, there has been discussion as to Mary remaining a virgin during the birth of Jesus and afterward. The apocryphal Gospel of James has a fascinating claim by the midwife at the birth of Jesus that Mary remained physically a virgin after the birth of Christ.
The church has taught that Mary and Joseph refrained from marital relations after the birth of Jesus, and that Mary remained a virgin perpetually. Mary was so devoted to the will of God that she lived the chaste life of a perpetual virgin in honor of her unique status as the Mother of God. This is defined by as dogma by the Catholic Church.
Mary and Joseph thus did not have any children together. That Joseph had children from a previous marriage is a possibility, but in general the saints have taught that Joseph too remained a virgin, to be totally devoted to the Holy Family. The Catholic church teaches that the word “brothers” as used in Matthew 12:46 and parallel texts could mean step-brother or cousin, but does not refer to a blood brother of Jesus.
The scriptures give ample evidence to say that Mary was the mother of Jesus, but it doesn’t refer to any other of her sons. Also, the text in John where Jesus entrusts his Mother to the beloved disciple stands as testimony that there were no other children who would have the obligation to take care of Mary after Christ’s death.
Matthew says that Jacob was the father of Joseph. Luke says that Eli was the father of Joseph. Reconciling these two texts is a challenge indeed. Suffice it to say that there is scant evidence about the birth family of Joseph; however, the Gospels relate that he was of the lineage of King David. This aspect of the genealogy of Joseph is most theologically important because it supports the gospel writers’ intention to show that Jesus was the true heir of David, the greatest king of Israel. Hence the birth of Christ took place in the town of David, Bethlehem.
Many of the apocryphal gospels speculate on the origins of Joseph. The strange details that come up from these accounts demonstrate that while we are eager to know more about Christ, attempts at rewriting history can do great damage to cherished dogmas and tradition. I often marvel at the mystery of Christ. We know so little about him, yet what we know is enough for this life and the life to come.
Once again, the apocryphal gospels narrate that Joseph was married before he became espoused to Mary, and that he had children from this marriage. There is no definitive dogma on this aspect of the life of Joseph, and many saints allow for that possibility. What is clear from Scripture and Tradition is that Joseph was a just and pious man who was able to devote himself totally to the care of the Holy Family. Our artistic patrimony portrays Joseph as an elderly man at the time of the birth of Christ. That would imply that if there were a wife and children from a previous marriage, the situation was such that Joseph was free from any family obligations that would impede his total dedication to Mary and Jesus.
What does the perpetual virginity of Mary mean?
That Mary conceived Jesus miraculously by the power of the Holy Spirit is well attested in Scripture. This is an article of our faith that has been held and taught consistently.
Throughout history, there has been discussion as to Mary remaining a virgin during the birth of Jesus and afterward. The apocryphal Gospel of James has a fascinating claim by the midwife at the birth of Jesus that Mary remained physically a virgin after the birth of Christ.
The church has taught that Mary and Joseph refrained from marital relations after the birth of Jesus, and that Mary remained a virgin perpetually. Mary was so devoted to the will of God that she lived the chaste life of a perpetual virgin in honor of her unique status as the Mother of God. This is defined by as dogma by the Catholic Church.
Mary and Joseph thus did not have any children together. That Joseph had children from a previous marriage is a possibility, but in general the saints have taught that Joseph too remained a virgin, to be totally devoted to the Holy Family. The Catholic church teaches that the word “brothers” as used in Matthew 12:46 and parallel texts could mean step-brother or cousin, but does not refer to a blood brother of Jesus.
The scriptures give ample evidence to say that Mary was the mother of Jesus, but it doesn’t refer to any other of her sons. Also, the text in John where Jesus entrusts his Mother to the beloved disciple stands as testimony that there were no other children who would have the obligation to take care of Mary after Christ’s death.
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