The Church in the Light of the Covenants

1. St. Joseph’s Cathedral
Cathedral Confirmation ClassCathedral Confirmation Class
Chapter 3 – The Church in Light of the CovenantsChapter 3 – The Church in Light of the Covenants

2. The Church: The Church in Light of the Covenants
Poornima D’SouzaPoornima D’Souza
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3. Prayer - The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son,
our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He
descended into hell; the third day He rose again from
the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the
right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence
He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I
believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Goal : Learn about the Church as recited in the Creed

4. Reflect on what you hear...
*New Learning
*Ah-ha's
*Connections
Discussion Guide

5. First, Let’s get to know each other…
 When you think about Jesus – what is the first thing that comes to mind?
 If you could add two commandments to the existing ten, what would they be?
 What is the kindest thing that someone has ever done for you?
 Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
 What do you think delights God above everything else?
 Besides murder and violence – what do you think the worst kind of sin is?
 What are the best parts about being a part of St. Joseph’s Cathedral?
 What is your favorite bumper sticker?
 When you were small – which superhero did you like?
 If you could change the world what would you do?
Introduce yourself and answer one question from the list below:

6. Self Expression Through Art.
Instructions for the activity
Take 5 minutes to draw a picture that conveys who you are!
No words or numbers.
I will collect the pictures from you.
Show the pictures to the group
You try to guess who drew it.
 Each artist will then explain how your work expresses who you
are!

7. Ch:2 – Review – 2 mins
 review your notes
 consult with your partner to fill in missing points and
seek clarification
 fill in the gaps

8. Ch:2 – Review
 After the Fall, God promised to send a
Redeemer, the “seed” of the woman who
would bruise the head of the serpent.
 This is the Protoevangelium – discussion today
 God makes covenants in the Old Testament with
people like Abraham, Noah, Moses, David.
 The great nation promised to Abraham is first
realized in the people of Israel.
 The prophet Jeremiah spoke of a “new covenant”
that God would establish with his people.
 God’s aim in salvation history was and remains to
restore the communion (friendship) b/w humanity
and himself broken by Original Sin.

10. Chapter 3 – The Church in Light of the CovenantsChapter 3 – The Church in Light of the Covenants
This chapter we will discuss…
The way God completed the plan.
The Church founded by Christ
Fulfillment of the covenants and promises
of the Old Testament

11. Ch:3 – Learning Objectives
 To Understand that Christ fulfills the promise of
a Redeemer made in the Protoeveangelium of
Genesis.
 To learn that Christ is King
 but of a kingdom not of this world.
 Christ calls all people to enter the kingdom through
faith and repentance
 the Kingdom of God is present in the Church

12. Talk to your partner – discuss the answer
Report out to the group:
Why did Jesus come into the world?

13. The Birth of our Savior and King
 The Protoeveangelium in Genesis – God promised
a Redeemer.
 The incarnation fulfills this promise.

Annunciation – Mary would conceive and name her child
Jesus and he would have the throne of David and reign
over the house of Jacob.
 (This is why the Gospels begin with Genealogies, to prove Jesus’ ancestry to David and Jacob).

Jesus means “Savior” and he will be the Messiah or
Christ meaning “anointed one” = King.
 Christ came as a king and heir of David but it
wasn’t the kingdom most Jews were expecting

14. The Kingdom of God
 The Kingdom of God is a key theme of Jesus’
public ministry.
 The “good news” or Gospel of salvation is the
preaching of his kingdom

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mk 1:15
 Christ invites everyone to respond to the good news through
reception of the Gospel message and their repentance. This is
how they enter his kingdom.

15. Speaking in Parables
 Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom through
Parables

Parable of the Sower

Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds

Parable of the Mustard Seed
Video ~Matthew 13:24-43 Parable of the Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast and Explanation
http://catholicconfirmation.wikispaces.com/Chapter3

16. The Kingdom of God
 Pope Benedict XVI says the Kingdom of God is…

…Christ present among us now

…Present in the hearts of the faithful who follow the
Gospel message

…Is the Church, as we grow in holiness toward heaven.

17. Talk to your partner – discuss the answer
Report out to the group:
Where is the Kingdom of God?

18. The Kingdom of God ~Visible and Invisible
 The Kingdom of God exists perfectly only in
Heaven, but is present now to us in imperfect ways.
 The Kingdom is invisible as a spiritual reality within
the hearts of the faithful.
 It is a state of communion or friendship b/w God
and humans that God intended at creation.
 The faithful and the structure of the Church are the
visible presence of the Kingdom on earth.

19.  Christ appointed twelve Apostles to be with him
and sent them out to preach. (Mk 3:14-15)
They were the leaders of all the followers of
Christ which are called disciples
 Jesus equipped the twelve to be the foundation
of his Church.
 The Apostles would lead the Church until the
end of time by appointing successors to fulfill
their responsibilities
 Those successors are called Bishops
Christ Calls the Twelve Apostles

20.  St. John proclaimed Jesus to be “the lamb of
God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn
1:29) at the start of Jesus’ public ministry
 Video ~ The Passover Lamb
http://catholicconfirmation.wikispaces.com/Chapter3
The New Passover

21.  Jews – The lamb was tied to the Passover
lamb, symbolizing Israel’s salvation from
slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses
 The blood of the sacrificed lamb was sprinkled
on doorposts and homes to protect Israelites
from the 10th
plague and helped free them from
captivity
 The Jews celebrated Passover every year to
remind them of God’s rescue from Egypt.
The New Passover

22.  Passover Lamb symbolizes Israelites
deliverance from slavery
 Jesus as the new lamb would be sacrificed and
shed his blood to deliver all humanity from
slavery to sin
 Christ was this New Lamb as pointed out by
John the Baptist
The New Passover

23.  Last Supper LK 22:19-20 (p.27 in red).
 This is the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the first Mass,
and beginning of the “new covenant”.
 Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique way called the Real
Presence.
 His Body and Blood are truly present after the consecration of the bread
and wine by the priests.
Consecration of the Holy Eucharist
Video - http://catholicconfirmation.wikispaces.com/Chapter3
The Last Supper

24.  The Church fulfills the promise made after the Fall of Adam and Eve
 The Church fulfills the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David
The Church Fulfills the Covenants and Promises
Old Testament New Testament
Adam - Disobedience New Adam- Christ – Obedience/death
on a cross
Noah - Flood waters Christ – waters of the Sacrament of
Baptism
Abraham - blessing Christ - extends God’s blessing -
world
Moses – Qahal -
Assembly
Christ – Church – Assembly
Twelve Tribes of
Israel
Twelve Apostles

25. The Church Fulfills the Covenants and Promises

26. The Church Fulfills the Covenants and Promises

27. Conclusion
 “The Old Testament is revealed in the New”
St. Augustine
 we come to understand the Old Testament
covenants and prophesies and events better after
we read the New Testament.
 The Old Testament points to and foreshadows the
New Testament events always leading/pointing to
Jesus Christ.

28. Complete the work sheet

29. Questions or Comments

30. References
 Hahn, S. The Church: Sacrament of Salvation (1998). Didache Series: Midwest Theological
Forum
 http://www.stjosephcathedral.net/
 http://www.omniglot.com/
 www.wolframalpha.com
 http://www.peternewbury.org/
 http://jackywinter.com/
 http://insight.typepad.co.uk/
 http://www.funny-icebreaker-questions.com/
 http://www.bannersandawards.com/
 http://www.jacobswellnj.org/
 http://whatshotn.wordpress.com/
 http://thegospelmessenger.weebly.com/uploads
 http://www.crossroad.to/

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32. THE END.