Roadmap of the Catholic Faith

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

170 The Holy Spirit and the Church in the Liturgy - part 5

YOUCAT Lesson 170, part 5 of 9 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

God and the Sacred Liturgy

What is the most profound origin of the liturgy?

170 The most profound origin of the liturgy is God, in whom there is an eternal, heavenly banquet of love—the joy of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Because God is love, he would like to let us participate in the feast of his joy and to grant us his blessings. [1077-1109]

…….Painting above: A Roman Catholic priest in Sicily distributing the Eucharist to a child at her first Holy Communion. ..... “By his transforming power, he makes the mystery of Christ present here and now.” (see CCC # 1092 below) …..170

Our earthly liturgies must be celebrations full of beauty and power: Feasts of the Father who created us-that is why the gifts of the earth play such a great part: the bread, the wine, oil and light, incense, sacred music, and splendid colors. Feasts of the Son who redeemed us—that is why we rejoice in our liberation, breathe deeply in listening to the Word, and are strengthened in eating the Eucharistic Gifts. Feasts of the Holy Spirit who lives in us—that is why there us a wealth of consolation, knowledge, courage, strength, and blessing that flows from these sacred assemblies. 179

Blessing: A blessing is something good that comes from God (Latin benedicere; Greek eu-logein=to call good) to bless is a divine, life-giving, and life-preserving action. God, the Father and Creator of all being, says: It is good that you exist. The fact that you are is something beautiful.

Then I will go to the altar of God, the God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

…….THE LITURGY - WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH IN THE LITURGY

.......1091 In the liturgy the Holy Spirit is teacher of the faith of the People of God and artisan of "God's masterpieces," the sacraments of the New Covenant. The desire and work of the Spirit in the heart of the Church is that we may live from the life of the risen Christ. When the Spirit encounters in us the response of faith which he has aroused in us, he brings about genuine cooperation. Through it, the liturgy becomes the common work of the Holy Spirit and the Church. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1092 In this sacramental dispensation of Christ's mystery the Holy Spirit acts in the same way as at other times in the economy of salvation: he prepares the Church to encounter her Lord; he recalls and makes Christ manifest to the faith of the assembly. By his transforming power, he makes the mystery of Christ present here and now. Finally the Spirit of communion unites the Church to the life and mission of Christ. --CCC

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

170 Jesus' Presence in the Earthly Liturgy - part 4

YOUCAT Lesson 170, part 4 of 9 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

God and the Sacred Liturgy

What is the most profound origin of the liturgy?

170 The most profound origin of the liturgy is God, in whom there is an eternal, heavenly banquet of love—the joy of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Because God is love, he would like to let us participate in the feast of his joy and to grant us his blessings. [1077-1109]

Painting: ….. On the way to Emmaus –Luke 24:15 …..”Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them." --Matthew 18:20 .....170

Then I will go to the altar of God, the God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

THE LITURGY - WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY

. . . is present in the earthly liturgy . . .

…….1088 "To accomplish so great a work" - the dispensation or communication of his work of salvation - "Christ is always present in his Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the Sacrifice of the Mass not only in the person of his minister, 'the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross,' but especially in the Eucharistic species. By his power he is present in the sacraments so that when anybody baptizes, it is really Christ himself who baptizes. He is present in his word since it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church. Lastly, he is present when the Church prays and sings, for he has promised 'where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them."'(Sacrosanctum concilium 7; Matthew 18:20)¹¹–Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1089 "Christ, indeed, always associates the Church with himself in this great work in which God is perfectly glorified and men are sanctified. The Church is his beloved Bride who calls to her Lord and through him offers worship to the eternal Father."( Sacrosanctum concilium 7)¹²–CCC

. . . which participates in the liturgy of heaven

…….1090 "In the earthly liturgy we share in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the Holy City of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God, Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle. With all the warriors of the heavenly army we sing a hymn of glory to the Lord; venerating the memory of the saints, we hope for some part and fellowship with them; we eagerly await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, until he, our life, shall appear and we too will appear with him in glory."( Sacrosanctum concilium 8; compare Lumen gentium 50)¹³ --CCC

Monday, October 24, 2016

170 The time of the Church of the Apostles - part 3

YOUCAT Lesson 170, part 3 of 9 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

God and the Sacred Liturgy

What is the most profound origin of the liturgy?

.......Photo: .....The Sea of Galille….. This is where Jesus asked Peter do you love me? Then feed my sheep. Facebook photo by Chris Stefanik. ...106...170

Then I will go to the altar of God, the God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

…….THE LITURGY - WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY

…….CHRIST'S WORK IN THE LITURGY . . . from the time of the Church of the Apostles

…….1086 "Accordingly, just as Christ was sent by the Father so also he sent the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit. This he did so that they might preach the Gospel to every creature and proclaim that the Son of God by his death and resurrection had freed us from the power of Satan and from death and brought us into the Kingdom of his Father. But he also willed that the work of salvation which they preached should be set in train through the sacrifice and sacraments, around which the entire liturgical life revolves."( Sacrosanctum Concilium 6)⁹--Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1087 Thus the risen Christ, by giving the Holy Spirit to the apostles, entrusted to them his power of sanctifying(compare John 20:21-23)¹⁰ they became sacramental signs of Christ. By the power of the same Holy Spirit they entrusted this power to their successors. This "apostolic succession" structures the whole liturgical life of the Church and is itself sacramental, handed on by the sacrament of Holy Orders. --CCC

Sunday, October 23, 2016

170 Glorified Christ in the Liturgy - part 2

YOUCAT Lesson 170, part 2 of 9 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

God and the Sacred Liturgy

What is the most profound origin of the liturgy?

……..Painting: …..The Resurrection Of Christ by Carl Heinrich Bloch.....47...170 ….Jesus dies, is buried, rises from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father "once for all."( Romans 6:10; Hebrews 7:27; Heb 9:12; compare John 13:1; Jn 17:1)

Then I will go to the altar of God, the God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

…….THE LITURGY - WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY

II. CHRIST'S WORK IN THE LITURGY …….Christ glorified

…….1084 "Seated at the right hand of the Father" and pouring out the Holy Spirit on his Body which is the Church, Christ now acts through the sacraments he instituted to communicate his grace. The sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify.—Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1085 In the liturgy of the Church, it is principally his own Paschal mystery that Christ signifies and makes present. During his earthly life Jesus announced his Paschal mystery by his teaching and anticipated it by his actions. When his Hour comes, he lives out the unique event of history which does not pass away: Jesus dies, is buried, rises from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father "once for all."( Romans 6:10; Hebrews 7:27; Heb 9:12; compare John 13:1; Jn 17:1)⁸ His Paschal mystery is a real event that occurred in our history, but it is unique: all other historical events happen once, and then they pass away, swallowed up in the past. The Paschal mystery of Christ, by contrast, cannot remain only in the past, because by his death he destroyed death, and all that Christ is - all that he did and suffered for all men - participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times while being made present in them all. The event of the Cross and Resurrection abides and draws everything toward life.—CCC

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 23, 2016
Lectionary: 150

…….Fresco at left: .....The Pharisee and the Publican. .....A baroque fresco in Ottobeuren Basilica. …..” Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. “ (Luke 18:9)

The first reading is from the Prophet Sirach, chapter 35, verses 12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice, who knows no favorites. Though not unduly partial toward the weak, yet he hears the cry of the oppressed. The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan, nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint. The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.

Responsorial Psalm 34, verses 2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The second reading is from the Second Letter to Timothy, chapter 4, verses 6-8, 16-18

Beloved:

I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The alleluia is from the Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 5, verse 19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Gospel of Saint Luke, chapter 18, verses 9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Friday, October 21, 2016

170 The Profound Origin of the Liturgy? part 1

YOUCAT Lesson 170, part 1 of 9 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

God and the Sacred Liturgy

What is the most profound origin of the liturgy?

Painting at left: …King David Playing the Harp. Painting by Jan de Bray 1670. …..170

Then I will go to the altar of God, the God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4

THE LITURGY - WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY

…….I. THE FATHER-SOURCE AND GOAL OF THE LITURGY

…….1077 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us before him in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."( Ephesians 1:3-6)³–Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1078 Blessing is a divine and life-giving action, the source of which is the Father; his blessing is both word and gift.( eu-logia, bene-dictio)⁴ When applied to man, the word "blessing" means adoration and surrender to his Creator in thanksgiving.—CCC

…….1079 From the beginning until the end of time the whole of God's work is a blessing. From the liturgical poem of the first creation to the canticles of the heavenly Jerusalem, the inspired authors proclaim the plan of salvation as one vast divine blessing.—CCC

…….1080 From the very beginning God blessed all living beings, especially man and woman. The covenant with Noah and with all living things renewed this blessing of fruitfulness despite man's sin which had brought a curse on the ground. But with Abraham, the divine blessing entered into human history which was moving toward death, to redirect it toward life, toward its source. By the faith of "the father of all believers," who embraced the blessing, the history of salvation is inaugurated.—CCC

…….1081 The divine blessings were made manifest in astonishing and saving events: the birth of Isaac, the escape from Egypt (Passover and Exodus), the gift of the promised land, the election of David, the presence of God in the Temple, the purifying exile, and return of a "small remnant." The Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, interwoven in the liturgy of the Chosen People, recall these divine blessings and at the same time respond to them with blessings of praise and thanksgiving.—CCC

…….1082 In the Church's liturgy the divine blessing is fully revealed and communicated. The Father is acknowledged and adored as the source and the end of all the blessings of creation and salvation. In his Word who became incarnate, died, and rose for us, he fills us with his blessings. Through his Word, he pours into our hearts the Gift that contains all gifts, the Holy Spirit.—CCC

…….1083 The dual dimension of the Christian liturgy as a response of faith and love to the spiritual blessings the Father bestows on us is thus evident. On the one hand, the Church, united with her Lord and "in the Holy Spirit,"( Luke 10:21)⁵ blesses the Father "for his inexpressible gift(2 Corinthians 9:15)⁶ in her adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. On the other hand, until the consummation of God's plan, the Church never ceases to present to the Father the offering of his own gifts and to beg him to send the Holy Spirit upon that offering, upon herself, upon the faithful, and upon the whole world, so that through communion in the death and resurrection of Christ the Priest, and by the power of the Spirit, these divine blessings will bring forth the fruits of life "to the praise of his glorious grace." ( Ephesians 1:6 )⁷CCC

Ed. Note: Left click the hyperlinks for background.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

169 What Happens When We Celebrate the Liturgy?

YOUCAT Lesson 169

YOUCAT the catechism of the Catholic church

169 What happens to us when we celebrate the liturgy?

..…..Photo: …..Parishioners receiving communion participate in the Sunday Mass liturgy at Cross Plains, Wisconsin …..121.....169

When we celebrate the liturgy, we are drawn into the love of God, healed and transformed. [1076]

The sole purpose of all liturgies of the Church and all her sacraments is that we might have life and have it abundantly. When we celebrate the liturgy, we encounter the One who said about himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Someone who is forsaken and goes to Mass receives protection and consolation from God. Someone who feels lost and goes to Mass finds a God who is waiting for him.

While he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

…….THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY

…….THE SACRAMENTAL ECONOMY

…….1076 The Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.( compare Sacrosanctum concilium 6; Lumen gentium 2)¹ The gift of the Spirit ushers in a new era in the "dispensation of the mystery" the age of the Church, during which Christ manifests, makes present, and communicates his work of salvation through the liturgy of his Church, "until he comes."( 1Corinthians 11:26)² In this age of the Church, Christ now lives and acts in and with his Church, in a new way appropriate to this new age. He acts through the sacraments in what the common Tradition of the East and the West calls "the sacramental economy"; this is the communication (or "dispensation") of the fruits of Christ's Paschal mystery in the celebration of the Church's "sacramental" liturgy.

It is therefore important first to explain this "sacramental dispensation" (chapter one). The nature and essential features of liturgical celebration will then appear more clearly (chapter two).

Ed. Note: Left click on the hyperlinks if you wish to read the footnote text.