TABLE OF CONTENTS
ix
Abbreviations Used for the Books of the Bible
ix
General Abbreviations
x
Overview
T205
Catholic Prayers and Devotions
1
Chapter 1:
In the Beginning
In the Beginning
1a
Chapter Planning Guide
1c
Chapter Objectives
1c
Keys to this Chapter
1d
Key Ideas
2
Introduction
3
What Catholics Believe About the Bible
4
The Bible Is Sacred Literature
4
The Bible Reveals History from God’s Point of View
5
The Literal and Spiritual Senses of the Bible
6
Sidebar: How the Bible Was Written
7
Religious Truth, Not Scientific Truth
9
God Created the World
10
Sidebar: Is It True?
11
Creation as the Work of the Blessed Trinity
12
Sidebar: Creation and Evolution
13
Image and Likeness
15
God Made Them Male and Female
16
Sidebar: Charity and Chastity
17
The Original State of Man
18
The Creation of Angels
18
Sidebar: Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel
19
Satan and the Fallen Angels
20
Original Sin
21
The Consequences of Original Sin
22
Original Sin Affects All of Humanity
23
Sidebar: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
24
Sin and Our Need for Redemption
25
Conclusion
26
Supplementary Reading
27
Vocabulary
29
Study Questions
30
Practical Exercises
31
From the Catechism
35
Chapter 2:
Preparing for the Messiah
Preparing for the Messiah
35a
Chapter Planning Guide
35c
Chapter Objectives
35c
Keys to this Chapter
35d
Key Ideas
36
Introduction
36
God’s Promise of Redemption
38
Sidebar: The Meaning of “Redemption”
39
The Proliferation of Sin
39
Cain and Abel
40
The Flood
40
The Tower of Babel
41
The Covenants Prepare God’s People for Redemption
41
God’s Covenant with Noah
43
God’s Covenant with Abraham
44
Sidebar: How the Old Testament Covenants Foreshadow the Redemption
45
God’s Covenant with Moses
48
Entrusted with God’s Promises
49
Sidebar: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
50
The Promise to David
51
Promises Made Through the Prophets
52
Prophecy of Redemption: The “Suffering Servant” of Isaiah
53
Sidebar: Christ, the Suffering Servant
54
Conclusion
55
Supplementary Reading
57
Vocabulary
57
Long-term Assignment
60
Study Questions
61
Practical Exercises
61
From the Catechism
63
Chapter 3:
The Promise of Redemption Is Fulfilled in Christ
The Promise of Redemption Is Fulfilled in Christ
63a
Chapter Planning Guide
63c
Chapter Objectives
63c
Keys to this Chapter
63d
Key Ideas
64
Introduction
65
The Annunciation
66
Sidebar: “Full of Grace” Exempted from Original Sin
68
St. Joseph’s Dream
69
“Prepare the Way of the Lord”
70
Why the Word Became Flesh
71
The Word Became Flesh to Reconcile Us to God
72
The Word Became Flesh to Manifest God’s Love
72
The Word Became Flesh to Offer a Model of Holiness
73
Sidebar: Holiness: Meditating on the Passion
74
The Word Became Flesh to Allow Us a Share in Divine Life
75
Sidebar: St. Charles Borromeo
76
The Word Became Flesh to Defeat the Devil
77
Christ’s Entire Life Was a Mystery of Redemption
78
Christ’s Poverty Is a Lesson in Detachment
79
Christ’s Hidden Life Teaches Us Obedience
80
Christ’s Preached Word Is Redemptive
81
In His Divine Mercy, Christ “Bore Our Infirmities”
82
We are Justified in Christ
82
Sidebar: Justified by Faith and Works
83
Christ’s Entire Life Reveals the Father
84
Conclusion
85
Supplementary Reading
86
Vocabulary
88
Study Questions
89
Practical Exercises
89
From the Catechism
93
Chapter 4:
The Light of the World: Redemption Revealed
The Light of the World: Redemption Revealed
93a
Chapter Planning Guide
93c
Chapter Objectives
93c
Keys to this Chapter
93d
Key Ideas
94
Introduction
95
The Baptism of Christ
96
Temptation in the Wilderness
98
The Miracle at Cana
99
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
100
The Kingdom of God Announced Through His Works
102
The Kingdom of God Announced Through Parables
103
Sidebar: The Parable as a Light to Conscience
104
Sidebar: Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven
104
The “Light” of the Transfiguration
106
Sidebar: St. Francis de Sales
107
The Institution of the Eucharist
108
The “New Passover”
109
“Love One Another”
110
Memorial and Anticipation
111
Conclusion
112
Supplementary Reading
113
Vocabulary
113
Long-term Assignment
115
Study Questions
116
Practical Exercises
116
From the Catechism
119
Chapter 5:
Redemption Through the Paschal Mystery
Redemption Through the Paschal Mystery
119a
Chapter Planning Guide
119c
Chapter Objectives
119c
Keys to this Chapter
119d
Key Ideas
120
Introduction
121
Sidebar: The Death of Christ: Who Is Guilty?
122
The Passion of Christ: Love in Action
123
The Agony in the Garden
124
The Suffering Servant: Christ Is Tried and Tortured
126
Kenosis Revisited: “. . . even death on a cross”
127
The Significance of Christ’s Resurrection
133
Our Participation in the Mystery of Redemption
134
The Sacraments as Sources of Sanctifying Grace
135
Sidebar: The Seven Sacraments
136
The Redemptive Meaning of the Ascension
137
Sidebar: St. Joan of Arc
140
Conclusion
141
Supplementary Reading
143
Vocabulary
145
Study Questions
146
Practical Exercises
147
From the Catechism
151
Chapter 6:
Our Response to the Gift of Redemption
Our Response to the Gift of Redemption
151a
Chapter Planning Guide
151e
Chapter Objectives
151e
Keys to this Chapter
151f
Key Ideas
152
Introduction
153
God’s Desire for Us: Happiness and Holiness
153
God Created Us for Happiness
154
God Calls Us to Holiness
155
Redemption, Grace, and Free Will
156
Sidebar: Objective and Subjective Redemption
156
Practicing the Theological Virtues
156
Theological Virtues
157
Natural and Supernatural Virtues
158
Sidebar: Aids and Marks of Christian Virtues: The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit
159
The Imitation of Christ
160
Living Out God’s Call to Holiness
161
Conversion and Conscience
161
Leading a Moral Life
163
Holiness in and Through the Church
164
Working Toward the Kingdom
164
Love of Neighbor and Service to the Needy
165
Evangelization: Witnesses for Christ
166
Stewardship
167
Sidebar: The Decalogue: The Ten Commandments of God
167
Sidebar: The Beatitudes: Road Map to Eternal Happiness
168
Sidebar: The Precepts of the Church
169
The Last Things
169
Parousia and Judgment
170
Sidebar: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
172
Hell
173
Purgatory
173
Heaven
174
Conclusion
175
Supplementary Reading
177
Vocabulary
177
Long-term Assignment
180
Study Questions
181
Practical Exercises
182
From the Catechism
185
Chapter 7:
Prayer in the Life of a Believer
Prayer in the Life of a Believer
185a
Chapter Planning Guide
185c
Chapter Objectives
185c
Keys to this Chapter
185d
Key Ideas
186
Introduction
186
Prayer Is a Dialogue with God
188
Sidebar: Saintly Pray-ers
188
Scripture as a Source of Prayer
189
Scripture in the Liturgy of the Word
190
Scripture in the Liturgy of the Hours
191
Sidebar: Reflections on the Hail Mary from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
192
Lectio Divina
193
Expressions of Prayer
194
Forms of Prayer
196
Difficulties in Prayer
197
Temptations in Prayer
198
The Model of Perfect Prayer
199
“Our Father . . .”
200
“hallowed be thy name . . .”
200
“Thy kingdom come . . .”
200
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven . . .”
200
“Give us this day our daily bread . . .”
201
“and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors . . .”
201
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one . . .”
201
“Amen.”
202
Conclusion
203
Sidebar: St. Benedict of Nursia
204
Supplementary Reading
206
Vocabulary
207
Study Questions
208
Practical Exercises
209
From the Catechism
213
Appendix:
Challenges to Faith in the Redemption
Challenges to Faith in the Redemption
213a
Chapter Planning Guide
213b
Chapter Objectives
213b
Keys to this Chapter
213b
Key Ideas
215
1. Why would God the Father allow his Son, Jesus, to suffer and die the way he did (CCC 599–609)?
216
2. Why are followers of Jesus Christ sometimes so willing to make sacrifices and to accept pain and suffering, especially in witness to Christ and their faith?
218
3. Isn’t making sacrifices and enduring suffering a sign of weakness (CCC 1808, 1831)?
219
4. In the end, isn’t it really only the final result that matters?
T1
Chapter One
T9
Chapter Two
T17
Chapter Three
T27
Chapter Four
T37
Chapter Five
T59
Chapter Six
T75
Chapter Seven
RESOURCE MATERIALS
T90
Chapter One
T96
Chapter Two
T102
Chapter Three
T108
Chapter Four
T114
Chapter Five
T120
Chapter Six
T126
Chapter Seven
T134
Chapter One
T139
Chapter Two
T143
Chapter Three
T149
Chapter Four
T155
Chapter Five
T162
Chapter Six
T168
Chapter Seven
T176
Chapter One
T179
Chapter Two
T182
Chapter Three
T185
Chapter Four
T188
Chapter Five
T191
Chapter Six
T194
Chapter Seven
