grace and the beatitudes

Grace and the Beatitudes

Grace andthe

Beatitudes

What is Grace?

The Baptism of the Neophytes

by Masaccio

What is Grace? (1)

What is Grace?

Grace refers to those gifts that bring

about a supernatural friendship of a

person with God.

Supernatural means an elevation of human nature

beyond what it is naturally capable of

attaining.

KEY DEFINITION

What is Grace? (2)

What is Grace?

All grace comes to us from God by means of Jesus Christ and his Church. The life of grace begins in Baptism, which is a supernatural birth.“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

Jn 3:3 NRSV

What is Grace? (3)

What is Grace?

By means of this extraordinary gift, God allows us to share his own divine life, as his adopted children, and makes us heirs to the kingdom of heaven.

What is Grace? (4)

What is Grace? (5)

Shedding of garments

signifies repentance

from a life of sin.

This picture shows St Peter baptising new

converts to Jesus Christ.

Baptism is the beginning of

the life of grace.

The Bowlis like a seed-

bowl. Here the seeds of the life of grace

are planted in the newly baptised.

Running water

signifies the washing away of sin and the living water that Jesus promised.

What is Grace? (6)

Traditional terms for the supernatural life

The Virgin in Prayer by Sassoferrato Mary was called ‘full of grace’ by the Angel Gabriel

indicating her life of holiness and her favour and justice in the sight of God.

Traditional terms for the supernatural life (1)

Traditional terms for the supernatural lifeIn referring to this supernatural life, St Peter says we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4).

St Paul calls us co-heirs of Christ (Rom 8:17) and temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16).

The Church Fathers refer to this gift as divinisation, and our elevation to this state is the principal aspect of our justification in Christ.

Traditional terms for the supernatural life (2)

The life of grace

The Baptism of Christ by Piero della Francesca

Jesus’ life and teaching reveal to us the life of grace.

The life of grace (1)

The life of grace

Just as natural human life develops towards maturity, so too does the life of grace.

Far from being a parallel and disconnected life, however, grace builds on our human nature and brings it to perfection in heaven.


The life of grace

LIFE OF NATURE LIFE OF GRACE

Natural birth BaptismPhilosophical virtuessuch as prudence

Theological virtues(faith, hope, charity)

Food and drink The EucharistHuman society The ChurchGrowth to adulthood

Growth in holiness

Human happiness

The vision of God


The theological virtues

The theological virtues (1)

The theological virtues

There are three virtues which are unique to the Christian life of grace after Baptism. These are the ‘supernatural’ (or ‘theological’) virtues of faith, hope and charity. The theological virtues “dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. They have God for their origin, their motive and their object – God known by Faith, God Hoped in and God Loved for His own sake.”

ccc. 1840

The theological virtues (2)

Mistakes regarding grace

The Teaching of St Augustine by GozzoliSt Augustine is called the ‘doctor of grace’

because he fought Pelagianism, which taught the self-sufficiency of man.

Mistakes regarding grace (1)

MISTAKES ABOUT GRACE

Pelagianism

That we can save ourselves. ‘Grace’, therefore, is only the forgiveness of sins and the example of Christ.




Determinism

That ‘grace’ determines absolutely the eternal outcome of our lives. Free will, therefore, has no significant role.




ModernismThat ‘grace’ is the same as nature. By nature alone, therefore, we are one with God, or part of God or gradually making God.



SummaryQuestions

to reinforcekey points

Discussionquestions

Practicalactivities

Presentation Part II

Summary Activities I

Please select an activity or go immediately to part II of the presentation

Summary Activities I

Summary

Activities Menu Presentation Part II

• ‘Grace’ refers to those gifts that bring about a supernatural friendship of a person with God. ‘Supernatural’ means an elevation of human nature beyond what it is naturally capable of attaining.

• By means of this extraordinary gift, God allows us to share his divine life, as his adopted children, and makes us heirs to the kingdom of heaven.

• Just as natural human life develops towards maturity, so too does the life of grace. Grace builds on our human nature and brings it to perfection in heaven.

Summary I

Questions to reinforce key points

Partaking of the divine nature

Being co-heirs with Christ

Being temples of the Holy Spirit

Divinisation

What are the different ways that we describe the life of grace?


123

Click on a box to reveal one of the

answers

4

Questions to reinforce key points I

Discussion questions


• Discuss why we need grace as well as nature.

• Discuss the relationship and parallels of the life of nature and the life of grace.

Select one or more of the following:

Discussion questions I

Practical activities


• Read 2 Peter 1:1-7 noting references to grace and the promise of our partaking of the divine nature.

• Read the Compendium of the Catechism questions 385-388 on the theological virtues.


Practical activities I

What are the Beatitudes?

Christ Teaches his Disciples by Duccio di Buoninsegna

Jesus taught the Beatitudes by his own words and example.

What are the Beatitudes? (1)

What are the Beatitudes?

The Beatitudes are eight states of blessedness

proclaimed by Christ in the Sermon on the

Mount (Mt 5:3-11).

These states manifest the life of heaven on

earth, bringing a foretaste and promise

of joy even amid earthly suffering.

KEY DEFINITION

What are the Beatitudes? (2)

Beatitudes of holy detachment

Beatitudes of holy detachment (1)


Blessed are the poor in spirit, for

theirs is the kingdom of

heaven. EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESPoverty of spirit enables us not only to use the goods of this world (such as riches and honours) in moderation, but to be willing to surrender all of them joyfully for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Mt 19:21



EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESMourning might not seem like a state of blessedness because earthly joys are not bad in themselves, although they can still come to dominate our lives. By grace, however, we set our hearts on heaven and are dissatisfied with anything less.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”

Jn 16:20

Blessed are those who mourn, for

they shall be

comforted.


Beatitudes of holy action and desire

Beatitudes of holy action and desire (1)


EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESMeekness refuses even a proportionate and just response to evil. Jesus showed us the meaning of meekness when he submitted to being scourged, mocked and crucified without striking back.

“To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.”

Lk 6:29

Blessed are the meek, for they

shall inherit the earth.



EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESHunger and thirst for righteousness goes beyond doing our duties to our neighbour. It is an eager desire, like a bodily appetite when we hunger and thirst, to do works of mercy, so that those around us and ourselves grow in holiness.

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.”

Mt 6:31-33

Blessed are those who hunger and

thirst for righteousness, for

they shall be satisfied.



Blessed are the merciful, for they

shall obtain mercy.

EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESMercy exceeds natural benevolence and natural pardon for wrongdoing. It is a lavish bestowing of our time and goods on those who cannot repay us. It is also the gift of forgiving even outrageous wrongs against us.

“When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.” Lk 14:13-14 “Love your enemies.” Mt 5:43-44


Beatitudes of heavenly living

Beatitudes of heavenly living (1)


Blessed are the pure

in heart, for they shall see God.

EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESPurity of heart is far more than preserving oneself from the stain of sin. It is the gift of a God-like heart, to love God for his own sake with a single minded clarity and passion, and to love others as God loves them.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Jn 13:34-35



EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESPeacemaking goes beyond mere tranquil good order in earthly relationships. It is the gift of establishing unity with others in a friendship founded on the desire for their supernatural good, that is, to reach our final home with God in heaven.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Jn 14:27

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they shall be called sons of

God.


The Beatitude of persecution for Christ

The Beatitude of persecution for Christ (1)

The Beatitude of persecution for Christ

Blessed are those who are persecuted for

righteousness’ sake ... be glad, for your reward is great in

heaven.EXPLANATION BIBLICAL EXAMPLESPersecution refers specifically to the trials that Christians face for preaching and living the Gospel. It blesses us in that it conforms us to Christ crucified, and holds the promise of great reward in heaven.

“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

Jn 16:33

The Beatitude of persecution for Christ (2)

SummaryQuestions

to reinforcekey points

Discussionquestions

Practicalactivities

Summary Activities IIPlease select an activity or go immediately

to the concluding prayer

Concluding Prayer

Summary Activities II

Summary

Activities Menu

• The Beatitudes are eight states of blessedness proclaimed by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:3-11).

• These states manifest the life of heaven on earth, bringing a foretaste and promise of joy even amid earthly suffering.

• The Beatitudes cover holy detachment, holy action and desire, heavenly living and persecution for Christ.

Concluding Prayer

Summary II

Questions to reinforce key points

The poor in spiritThe mourners

The meekThose hungry and thirsty for righteousness

The mercifulThe pure in heartThe peacemakers

Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake

What eight groups of people are addressed by the Beatitudes?

Activities Menu Concluding Prayer

1

Click on a box to reveal one of the

answers

2345678

Questions to reinforce key points II

Discussion questions

Activities Menu

• Discuss how the Beatitudes surpass the ordinary expectations of good human conduct.

• Discuss some practical ways in which the Beatitudes can be lived out in the Christian life today.


Concluding Prayer

Discussion questions II

Practical activities

Activities Menu

• Read Matthew 5:3-11 on the Beatitudes.

• Read the Compendium of the Catechism questions 359-362.


Concluding Prayer

Practical activities II

Final Prayer

A Prayer and Act of Charity O my God, I love you above all

things with my whole heart and soul because you are all good and

worthy of all my love. I love my neighbour as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I

have injured.Amen.

Final Prayer

Spiritual

grace and the beatitudes