Chapter 4 lesson 6pp. 129-133

Have you read pp. 129-130? Maybe you should…

The Church continues Christ’s Great Commission (MATT 28:19-20)

To sanctify means to make something holy.

To be holy is to be devoted to service to God

How are we doing?? The Church sanctifies us in order to

further glorify God.

The Bishops continue the work of sanctifying us through the Sacraments.

The Sacraments make present Christ’s sacrifice. They unite us to his sacrifice. They apply the Graces that come from his sacrifice.

As representatives of Christ, the bishops are expected to model their leadership on Christ himself.

They instruct us in laws and disciplines that provide basic moral norms which also sanctify.

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.

1. Note it does not require us to receive communion at every mass, see below.

2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.

1. You aren’t receiving Eucharist in a state of grave sin, but you are still attending Mass.

3. You shall receive the Sacrament of Eucharist at least during the Easter season.

4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.

5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

“All salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his body.” CCC

Now, stay with me here… We explored the image of the Family of God. Salvation means to be counted as a daughter or

son of God. The Church is the Family of God, therefore

anyone who is saved belongs to the Church. Non-Catholic Christians are considered

separated brethren, united but in an imperfect way.

“All who have been justified by faith in Baptism… are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church.” CCC

“Salvation is granted not only to those who explicitly believe in Christ and have entered the Church, but also people of good will in whose hearts grace is secretly at work.” JP II

It is still an urgent matter that the Church evangelize all people. After all we don’t call it the Great Commission for nothing.

We evangelize by carrying out the Great Commission.

Part of this mission means reaching out to Protestant communities and those of other non-Christian faiths.

Ecumenical outreach is to those who share our belief in Christ and perform the sacrament of Baptism.

We have a unique bond with both Jews and Moslems who share our believe in the one God, Yahweh