THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH IN SALVATION

HISTORY

WHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF

THE CHURCH?

◦Sacred Scripture

◦Catechism of the Catholic Church 748-870

◦Vatican II, Lumen Gentium

Refers to the people whom God calls and gathers together

They form the assembly of those who through faith and Baptism have become children of God…

The word “church” originated with Greek term, ekklesia which means an assembly of those whom God has called forth to be his people and to do his will

Matthew 28:18-20 Fourfold mission: 1. Share the

Message - Evangelization

2. Live in Community

3. Serve Others4. Worship the Lord

“I am the true vine and my Father is the vinegrower. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who lives in me and I in him, will produce abundantly.” John 15:1, 5

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father. For these sheep I will give my life. - John 10:14-15

“You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the capstone.” -Ephesians 2:20

“You, my brothers are children of the promise, as Isaac was. We are not children of a slave girl but of a mother who is free.” Galatians 4:28, 31

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church…This is a great foreshadowing: I mean that it refers to Christ and the Church.” Ephesians 5:25, 32

FR. AVERY DULLES, SJ

SIX MODELS THAT HELP US TO UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH

1 COR 12:12-27; 1 PET 2:9-10 COMMUNITY OF BAPTIZED

BELIEVERS PROFESSING THE SAME CHRISTIAN

FAITH CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST

TOGETHER

MT 16:13-19; EPH 2:19-22; 1 COR 12:28-29

STRUCTURED ORGANIZATION HIERARCHY OF POPE AND BISHOPS EMPHASIZES AUTHORITY OF CHURCH

LEADERS THE ROLE OF THE MAGISTERIUM

A SACRAMENT IS A VISIBLE SIGN, INSTITUTED BY CHRIST, ENTRUSTED TO THE CHURCH, THAT GIVES GRACE

THE CHURCH IS THE VISIBLE, TANGIBLE SIGN OF GOD’S LOVE AND PRESENCE IN THE WORLD

MK 16:15-16; MT 28:18-20 A HERALD IS AN OFFICIAL

MESSENGER, REPRESENTATIVE, AMBASSADOR

THE CHURCH IS THE HERALD OF JESUS CHRIST

CHURCH ACTS AS HERALD THROUGH COMMUNAL PRAYER, PROCLAIMING THE SCRIPTURES, LITURGY, AND MISSIONARY WORK

JN 13:1-20; MT 25:31-46 THE CHURCH IS CALLED TO BE A

SERVANT TO THE WORLD THROUGH ITS HOSPITALS, CHARITIES, AND PARISH MINISTRIES, ETC.

LK 9:21-26; ACTS 2:42-47 CALLED TO LIVE OUT IN

COMMUNITY THE CHALLENGE OF DISCIPLESHIP

ALL BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS EQUALITY BASED ON BAPTISM CALLED TO GROWTH IN CHRIST DIFFERENTIATION OF SPIRITUAL

GIFTS

REFERS TO THE UNITY IN THE CHURCH AMONGST “ALL” OF ITS MEMBERS

THE GATHERING OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE SAINTS BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

THIS PHRASE DESCRIBES TWO REALITIES IN CATHOLIC LIFE1. THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICES THAT REPRESENT

AND BRING ABOUT THE UNITY OF BELIEVERS2. THE ACTUAL COMMUNION THAT TIES

TOGETHER ALL BELIEVERS BOTH LIVING AND DEAD THE CHURCH MILITANT THE CHURCH SUFFERING THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT

ONEHOLYCATHOLICAPOSTOLIC

Profession of one faith received from the Apostles

Common celebration of divine worship- especially the sacraments

Apostolic succession

Called to holiness Imbued with the

Spirit Possesses the life

of grace Christ gave her all

the means necessary to sanctify

She is “universal” because Christ is present in her in the fullness of His body

Her mission is to the whole human race

Founded by Apostles

She remains faithful to the teaching of Apostles

Called to continue the ministry and service.

All are called to unity of the People of God.

Fully incorporated members of the Church are those who accept all the means of salvation given to the Church.

Other Christians do not profess the entirety of the Catholic faith or have not preserved communion with Rome.