Section 3 GODS PLAN FOR SALVATION IS FULFILLED

Section 3 GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION IS FULFILLED

Section 3, Part 3: REDEEMED BY CHRIST: OUR EARTHLY DESTINY

Introduction • God still has a plan for you & you are still a part of it! • The Paschal Mystery is completely for you • That you might be saved from sin to live a full & glorious life on earth & in heaven • God desires us to accept this truth & base our lives upon it • No more important choice • The articles in this part explore what this choice means for you • Four articles • (A. 30) – Saved from… • (A. 31) – Saved for… • (A. 32) – Our Judgment by God • (A. 33) – Heaven, Hell, & Purgatory

Article 30: Saved from… • St. Augustine on the human desire for God • • • “You have made us for yourself, oh God, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” Desire is based upon what the container is made of Christ saves us from certain things to purify the container Christ saves us for certain things to fill up the container of our lives This article is the “from”, then next is the “for” • Save from sin and its consequences—linear, exponential, & cyclical pattern • Guilt & shame • A blessing or a curse: it all depends on how you respond to them • Loneliness, despair, & feelings of being unloved • Natural vs. supernatural loneliness, despair, & feelings of being unloved • Addiction & attachment to things • What do people turn to in order to escape reality, especially the reality of the pain that comes from Original Sin • Death (Resurrection in the OT—Ecclesiastes 9: 5 develops into 2 Maccabees 7: 23 & Daniel 12: 1 -3) • Physical & spiritual—ultimate separation from God

You Tube Videos: A. 30 Fr. Barron: Why Did Jesus Die the Way He Did Personal Testimony: Saved by Jesus

Homework • Read A. 31 in your e-book for discussion tomorrow • Section 3, Part 3 review questions #’s 1 -2

Article 31: Saved for… • Christianity should focus more on this “saved for” than on the “saved from” we just looked at • A new & glorious life of loving communion with God & one another for eternity in heaven • Thus, saints are joyful people, not somber—sometimes holy cards of saints do us an injustice • St. Francis of Assisi—peaceful poetry • St. Theresa of Lisieux—love amidst pain • St. Thomas Aquinas –humility, humor, and holiness • The process of new life we are “saved for” begins in this life • In many ways the exact opposite of what we are “saved from” as far as positive is opposite of negative • Forgiveness & healing • Central to the Christian life • Christ’s healings, Our Father, Baptism(all), Eucharist (venial), Confession (mortal & venial sins) • Freedom • From slavery but more importantly for truth, goodness, & beauty • Where do desires fall? • Joy & happiness: Christian/natural virtue vs. emotion • C. S. Lewis—conversion from atheism brought true joy

Article 31 cont. : Saved for… • Loving Communion • Resurrection removes original sin & its effects and restores original holiness & justice • Partially in this life & fully in the next • Beatific vision—seeing God’s existence; contemplating his essence • Eternal life • Most precious reward in next life if we choose God & the grace of his Resurrection in this life • Makes this life pretty good as in the meantime = win-win situation • What we are saved for is “already but not yet” • Not yet • Concupiscence (darkened intellect & weakened will), sickness & death, limited human bodies & nature, … • Already • Baptism takes away mark of original sin, other Sacraments build faith from Christ through the Church, Scripture, Tradition, Magisterium, Holy Spirit, … • On a journey & Baptism is the first step of who knows how many steps • Sanctifying grace • Virtues—theological & moral (cardinal) • Must be humble enough to find strength in the midst of our weakness

You Tube Videos: A. 31 Fr. Barron: The Key to Joy Jimmy Akin: Getting to Heaven

Homework • Read A. 32 in your e-book for discussion tomorrow • Section 3, Part 3 review questions #’s 3 -4

Article 32: Our Judgment by God • Experiences of being judged/judging—judgment (love-object) vs. judgmentalism (fear-subject) • Particular Judgment • At moment of death, by Christ, eternal destiny of soul (body later), personal, particular, faith & works • Biblical proof: Lazarus (Lk. 16), repentant thief (Lk. 23), Last judgment (Mt. 25)—works of mercy • From Jn: faith in Jesus, obedience, listen to Jesus, Eucharist (Sacraments), detachment • Final/General Judgment • Christ, second return (Parousia = Gk. presence), end of time, all humanity together, bodily resurrection • Thes. 4 and Mk. 13 on Parousia; Mt. 25 again on judgment; Rev. 21 on new world • Intentions & works revealed; separation based on works to Heaven or Hell; destruction of world & creation of new world; Kingdom of God perfected; resurrected bodies joined to soul (glor/horr -ified) • When? The big question (1 Thes. in 51 a. d. was Paul’s main topic)—ONLY God knows so live each day like it is the last and one day you’ll be right even though it gets harder every day • Saints on death—Theresa of Lisieux (not death but life); Mother Teresa (back to Father: hard); Simeon of Thessalonica (together in same place); Paul (life is Christ so death is gain) • Necessity of Baptism—baptism of desire

You Tube Videos: A. 32 Fr. Barron: Judgment and God Pope Francis: The Last Judgment

Homework • Read A. 33 in your e-book for discussion tomorrow • Section 3, Part 3 review questions #’s 5 -6

Article 33: Heaven, Hell, & Purgatory • We tend to avoid thinking about death—why? • May not be the case here at CC but definitely should not be the case for Christians ever—why • Heaven • • • Must speak analogously about heaven—hard to get a clear notion Perfect joyful communion with God & others for all eternity intended by the Trinity from the beginning Experience glimpses in this world—service Jesus described as a mansion in Jn. 14—not up or down but other-worldly (up important though) Rev. 21 & 22—the heavenly city of Jerusalem Belief is a struggle but the examples of saints like Ignatius of Antioch assist our belief • • Opposite of heaven—eternal death, punishment, & separation from God Mt. 25, Rev. 20—existence is real; based upon mortal sin (rejection of God) More spiritual pain than physical; fire inspired by trash pit outside of Jerusalem Should not be afraid; not condemned by God; rather by self; conclusion of life lived apart from God • Hell • Purgatory (not Limbo) • State of final purification for souls that are not perfect but have not rejected God • Assured of attaining heaven one day • 2 Maccabees 12, 1 Cor. 3, Cyril of Jerusalem, rite of Christian funerals, …

You Tube Videos: A. 33 Fr. Barron: Hell Fr. Barron: Is Hell Crowded or Empty?

Homework • Section 3, Part 3 review questions #’s 7 -8 • Study for the Section 3, Part 3 quiz Tuesday (AA. 30 -33) • Make sure the Section 3, Part 3 review questions #’s 1 -8 are ready to turn in Tuesday