RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 2

2nd SEM: FINALS

The Kingdom of God 1. KOG is a Gift as well as the Task

KINGDOM OF GOD IS… - gift of salvation; it offers pardon to the sinners; it is eternal
- the central image of Christ’s as proclaimed in the synoptic - is a banquet, a table-fellowship, a joyful communion with
Gospels (CFC2151) the Lord and with one’s fellow human beings
- the heart of the Gospels’ presentation of Jesus’ mission
and ministry … as a Task …

PICTURING THE KINGDOM - our role : search for God’s Kingdom; work for its
coming; celebrate its presence here and now
- Kingdom of God should make a real difference

Thus, we pray:
- to have a change of heart and mind (conversion)
- to be less and less self-centered
- to exercise virtues of the Kingdom of God and seek
justice
- to be prepared to sacrifice for the Kingdom and reject
THE OLD TESTAMENT whatever hinders its coming
- YAHWEH is the Creator of all things- then He is the true - to use our talents for the Kingdom
Ruler and real King of all creation
- the Kingdom of God as a political state or a specific
2. Serve others in humility
territory
- the coming of Jesus ushered in God’s Kingdom
- prophets were sent and foretold about the Messiah who
- identifiable by Christ’s norms, as distinct from society and
would start a new covenant or a new era
the world
- evils will be abolished, and God will rule in justice and
- the Church represents the coming of the Kingdom in
peace
process (CFC 1378)
- the Messiah-King - defeat Romans and gain independence
- the petition :”Thy Kingdom come” in the Lord’s Prayer
for them; restore their nation to its former glory and bring
(CFC 1379)
back the prosperity and their power they had
KINGDOM OF GOD HAS “COME”…
JESUS UNIQUE VISION OF THE KINGDOM
- Jesus’ acts were signs of the Kingdom
- He taught and preached about the concept of the Kingdom
- God’s will is manifested to all people: esp. the abandoned,
in a spiritual one
the outcast... be cared for (SALVATION)
- He gave parables and Beatitudes and presented analogies
- The experience of SALVATION - act of freeing people from
- He announced that the Kingdom was present in His person
sufferings and oppression that is directed toward a life of
- He performed miracles that revealed the Kingdom –
love ( full well-being)
 where God is the Lord;
- Therefore, we “bring God’s Kingdom here on earth.”
 condition of order; peace, wholeness in people
as well as the environment
KOG – The Church
THE KINGDOM OF GOD OLD TESTAMENT
Understood as Kingship / Reign of God
Old Testament Vision - the experience of “blessedness” (life in the Garden of Eden
God is the ruler God is the Lord – Gen. 2)
Political State Spiritual - was foretold by the Prophets, “God’s rule of grace in the
Prophets In and through Him world and a future period
Messiah King Messiah Suffering - a product of people’s experience (e.g., Exodus event)
Servant - points to the experience of “worship”
Territorial Condition of Life - they always experienced God in their prayers and
gatherings
PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD - is eschatological
(Lk. 4:18-19; Is. 61:1-2) - Israel had earnestly desired and hoped for the coming of
- He brought Good News to the poor by preaching in the God’s glory.
streets and byways, in the market places, along the shore - they hoped for the restoration of Israel.
of the lake of Galilee
- He sought out public sinners(Zaccheus, Lk. 19:1-10); The Kingdom of God is the core-content of Jesus’ message:
(adulterous woman. Jn.8:1-11) and forgave their sins - Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This
freeing them from the captivity of their own guilt. is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand.
- He gave sight to the blind (Bartimaeus, Mk 10: 46-52; Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)
Bethsaida, Mk 8:22-26)
The Letter of Paul says:
THE CHURCH’S TEACHING - “For the Kingdom of God is not food or drink, but justice,
- Important Characteristics of the Kingdom of God from the peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 14:17)
PCP 2
- JUSTICE – means “right” relations to myself, others,
and God (Jer. 22.16)
- PEACE – comes from the Hebrew term, “shalom,” which
means “reconciliation” to self, others, and God.
- Christ’s gift to all of us (Jn. 14:27)
- Christ’s first word to His disciples (Jn. 20: 21, 26)
- JOY – biblically, it means “fullness,” “life,” and “love.”
- The Kingdom of God is portrayed on the Wedding
Feast, where the joy of all was guaranteed.
- is not original with Jesus, others had used it before,
especially the OT writers.
- refers to God’s action = RULING powerfully as
King
- is unique in Jesus: Its fulfillment is IN / THROUGH
Him is not well defined by Jesus, but described in
many images (e.g., Parables)
- a symbol of God’s revolution among humanity
- thus, it is not a specific place, but a condition, a
state of being = God REIGNING in ONE’s LIFE
- it requires FAITH AND CONVERSION
- ALREADY = we already experience the presence
of God’s Kingdom
- NOT YET = we do not experience its fullness yet…
- WHY? = because we will experience its fullness in
the “end-time.”
THE CHURCH
- Church – is “an assembly of God’s people: the
community of Jesus’ disciples
The ETYMOLOGICAL meaning of the Church
- Ekklesia – a Greek word, which means “the citizens of
God’s assembly,” an act of being gathered (no religious
meaning)
- Qahal – a Hebrew word (taken from Septuagint – LXX),
which means “an assembly of the Chosen People of God
- these people were called by God to give testimony
to Him (Ps. 40:10; 107:32)
- (has no religious meaning)
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
- Through Christ’s preaching of God’s Kingdom
- When the people believe, profess, and respond to Christ’s
preaching
- Under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the
Church is constituted.
- The “Pentecost” event (Acts 2:1-13)
- Because of her constitution, the Church has a “special call”
- To be at the service of the Kingdom of God: to become the
living witness
- For the Kingdom of God is the Goal of the Church
(people)
- The Church is a pilgrim Church,
- She is journeying towards the Kingdom of God.
The Church says…
- The first great “living work of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of
Life is the Church.
- The word Church means that which pertains to the Lord.
- For the Church is none other than the community of men
and women “who united in Christ and guided by the Holy
Spirit, press onwards towards the Kingdom of the Father
and are bearers of the message of salvation intended for
all men.”
Doing the Message
1. Lead an authentic life of prayer
- develop an intimate union with God
- grow in holiness
-become more committed to the mission of helping build
the Church
2. Live an active life of worship
- active participation in the liturgy, especially in the
Eucharistic liturgy
- the liturgy empowers and challenges us to promote
justice, peace, and charity
3. Develop and use your talents
- to serve the community
- to attract others to Him
- to foster the growth of the Church.
The Parables
- a comparison drawn from the nature or human life and
told as a story to evoke some moral or religious insight.
- convey Jesus’ teaching clearly
- Jesus’ parables are one of a kind because of the “twist”
- The “twist” was meant to highlight some countercultural
values of society.
- Today, Jesus, parables led us to question our attitudes or
values that are contrary to the Gospel values
Types of Parables
1. Parables that describe the King/ God
- His nature, qualities, and attitudes in dealing with
people.
Ex. The Workers in the Vineyard (Mt, 20:1-16)
The Lost Son (Lk 15:11-32)
2. The Parables that emphasize the kind of response
needed to enter the Kingdom of God.
Ex. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18:9-14)
The Rich Fool (Lk 12:16-21)
3. Parables that refer to the future coming of the Kingdom
Ex. The Weeds Among the Wheat (Mt. 13:24-30)
The Wedding Feast (Mt. 22:1-14)
The Good News Themes in the Parables
1. God’s loving mercy is at the heart of the Good News
- reveals that God is Abba
- an endearment Father
- He loves us with infinite, unconditional
2. Everyone is called to enter in the Kingdom of God
- the Kingdom is a gift to all people
- requires responses from each of us
3. The Kingdom demands our response
- Jesus challenged the people to “repent and believe in
the Gospel” (Mt. 1:15)
- we are to change our ways and to be selfless
4. The Good News demands our persevering response
- we will be judged according to our response to the
Good News
- we should always be ready
5. Rejoice and be Hopeful
- those who will accept God’s message will find the
“hidden treasure”
- the Kingdom will triumph though there is much
suffering and evil
- God assures us that He is in charge, and He asks us
to trust in Him
The Mustard Seed
- The Kingdom of God starts from the smallest beginning but
grows into much bigger proportions”
- It gives consolation and hope, esp. when tempted to
doubt the goodness of our works
- it affirms that every good that we do, no matter how small
it may seem to us, contributes to the building of God’s
kingdom of love, peace, and justice
- never be discouraged by setbacks or difficulties in our
efforts to do good.
The Yeast (Mt. 13:33)
- Signs of the kingdom are not always visible
- Kingdom encourages us to look beyond what is visible
and to trust God in establishing His Kingdom in quiet but
sure ways
The Treasure (Mt. 13:44)
- The treasure that symbolizes God’s blessings- faith,
loved ones and true friendship
- Treasures that are truly important- authentic happiness
(Beatitudes)
- Kingdom of God can come to us in the most ordinary
ways and through unexpected persons and events
The Net (Mt. 13:47-50)
- It is about what will happen at the end of time
- The Judgment Day
- Live our lives according to the Good News
- We are called to a personal relationship with Him that will
lead us to do good to this world.
- We must respond in words and deeds
Living the Beatitudes
Living the Kingdom Values
- are set of declarations that Jesus delivered in His Sermon
at the Mount ( Mt. 5:3-12)
- are ethical and spiritual standards for the followers of
Christ
- present solemn pronouncement of blessings for those who
embraced Jesus’ attitudes and values.
- express what ordinary people really desire deep in their
hearts
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their is the kingdom of
heaven.
- Does not mean being materially poor nor being
psychologically and emotionally deprived
It is not a negative trait
- recognizes are complete dependence on God.
- our ultimate trust must be in the living God
- no one should be in want,
- value more relationship than riches
What did JESUS do?
- fought against self-centeredness, pride, jealousy, envy,
and greed
- led a simple life (Lk. 9:58)
- completely committed to the poorest of the poor (Mat.
9:35-38)
- suffered death reserved for the lowest of humanity-
crucified along the with the two criminals
Challenge to the TEENAGERS today
- put things in proper perspective
- define the true worth of a person
o persons created and loved by God, redeemed by
o Jesus, in dwelt by the Holy Spirit
destined for life after death with our loving God
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted
- the pain, suffering, or sorrow
- we are driven to reflect on the deep realities of life
- ask God, “Why me Lord?”, the Holy Spirit consoles us
- grief maybe sorrow over our sins or over a form of injustice
or evil
What did JESUS do?
- experience sorrow and mourning
“My soul is sorrowful even to death.” (Mt. 26:38)
- He promised that our mourning will turn into blessing when
our sorrow awakens real compassion.
“Your grief will become joy.” (Jn 16:20)
Challenge to the TEENAGERS
- sadness is part of life
- when in grief we should open our hearts to the Spirits
through prayer
- Spirits comforts us through other persons
- our sorrow should awaken the real compassion in us.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land
- to be humble, gentle, patient, and not ever ready to take
offense
- don’t lose your “cool”- be in charge of the situation
- not defensive, your worth depends on God’s unconditional
love
- humility is truth
- Be patient-don’t take moral shortcuts
What did Jesus do?
- never busy to play with children or pray to His Father
- taught us to try to break the vicious cycle of aggression
and violence
“When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well”(Mt. 5:39)
- willingly and actively pursue justice and peace even at the
cost of suffering
Challenge to the teenagers:
- avoid bullying-it is a form of oppression
- be in control of your behavior; do not be arrogant
- be strong against cheap-attacks
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
- doing for what is right
- have an intense drive for justice
- Spiritual hunger or thirst
- radical persevering actions
What Jesus do?
- Focused on justice, a value so essential to a community
- Emphasized that we have to fight against anything that
stands in the way of justice and righteousness
“If your right hand cause you to sin, cut it off and
throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your
members than than to have your whole body go into
Gehenna.” (Mt. 5:30)
Challenge to teenagers
- Studying well and not cheating
- Saving money to buy what we need instead of resorting to
stealing
- Staying away from cigarettes, alcohol and drugs
- Doing homework instead of wasting time unproductively
Blessed are those who are merciful, they will be shown
mercy
- Involves 2 virtues: compassion and forgiveness
- Being kind, and understanding toward those who are in
pain
- To forgive – no harboring grudges or desire to take
revenge
– restore he dignity of the wrongdoer
What did Jesus do?
- He taught: the Kingdom of peace and love
“ If you forgive others transgressions, your Heavenly
Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others,
neither your Father forgive your transgressions.”
(Mt.16:14-15)
- “touched” many lives because of His compassion for the
helpless
- His entire life showed the mercy of God who makes friends
with the sinners
Challenge to teenagers
- “suffer with” (cum passus)to those who are suffering
- With an urge to help (empathy)
- Readiness to forgive others: focus not on the wrong done
but on the doer whose genuine repentance is a grace from
God.
Blessed are those pure heart, they will see God
- Those who are not devoted to idols and never swear
falsely
“go up the mountain of the Lord” and “stand in His holy
place.” (Ps24:3)
- those whose heart remain in the “right place”
- Those who seek that which is authentically good with pure
intention
- Those who can detect what is false
- Those who strive to avoid sin, because they value the truth
- Those who commit themselves to live as disciples of Christ
- Those who always seek the will of God.
“ You have been told, O man, what is good, and
what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and
to love goodness, and to walk humbly with you God.”
(Mt, 6:8)
What did Jesus do?
- To live a life that does not not follow conventional
standards
- To live authentic Christian life
- Jesus is the perfect example of someone who is clean of
heart- His fidelity to His mission as the Suffering-Messiah
- Offered his life for the salvation of sinners
Challenge to the teenagers
- Remain committed to Jesus like the saints
- Live a “good life”- an ordered life where God is the central
Blessed are those peacemakers, they will be called
children of God
- The willingness to act for peace
- Passively advocate peace even during the difficult
situation
- Merely love or want peace
What Jesus do?
- As Risen Lord , He greeted the apostles “Peace be with
you” (Jn. 20:21)
- He is the great reconciler and peacemaker
- His mission is to bring us back to the loving relationship
with the Father and with one another
Challenge to teenagers
- He/she settles quarrels between friends
- He/she resolves disputes between classmates
- He/she reconciles family members who had a
misunderstanding
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, they will inherit the Kingdom of God
- Those who stay loyal to Christ and the Kingdom
- Those who may no longer fit in with certain groups
- They don’t fit in with the secular world, they want to fit in
more with the real world created by God.
What did Jesus do?
- He did not promise an easy life for Christians. He promised
a life that is full.
“Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
(Lk.9:4;Mt. 10:39; Jn.12:25)
Challenge to teenagers
- Be martyrs in school
- refuse to have your homework be copied
- do not drink, smoke or get into drugs
- Do not engage idle talk or gossip
The Sermon at the Mount (Jesus’ Teachings on Happiness)
Happiness is…
- Being able to do all that I want to do
- Primarily dependent on one’s own decision
- Having friends to enjoy life with
- Having all that I want
- Being what my parents want me to be
- Being in good terms with friends
- A gift from God
WHAT IS TRUE HAPPINESS?
“Blessedness” or “Beatitudes”
- Respond to the natural desire for happiness
divine origin (ccc1718)
True Happiness
- to seek the only One who can give true happiness…
- “true happiness” is not found in richness, well- being, in
human fame, or power, or in any human achievements….
But in God alone.
- A state of happiness that can only be found and
experienced in the Kingdom of God
“TRUE HAPPINESS, therefore, consists in putting God first in
our lives”
BEATITUDES: “COUNTER-CULTURAL”
The Beatitudes (beautiful attitudes) or The Bad Attitudes
BEATITUDES: FOOTPATHS TO HAPPINESS
- It is not an instant happiness:
- Painstaking effort
- Diligent efforts
- Shun many excitements
- Firm decision to follow Jesus
Beatitudes is the road map to a true and lasting happiness.
- If we follow the path which Jesus points out to us in the
Beatitudes, we can be assured of the happiness which the
world and the things of this world cannot give…
- “TRUE AND LASTING HAPPINESS”
- teach us that the final end to which God calls us: the
kingdom, the vision of God, participation in the divine
nature, filiation.(CCC1726)
 Challenge of the Beatitudes
Our Attitudes and Characters must be developed:
Jesus Others You
Glory Intelligence Fortune Talents
Faith Obedience Commitment Unconditional love Spirit
Remembering Jesus Last Days
Growing Opposition Against Jesus
- Jesus was held under suspicion and put under surveillance
by the Jewish authorities
- His deeds and words were considered “ a sign of
contradiction” (Lk 2:33-34)
- He was a threat to them
Jesus was considered as…
- An impostor (Mt. 27:63)
- A false prophet who was leading the people astray (Jn
7:12)
- The Evil One in league with Satan (Mt 12:24)
- A blasphemer (Mt. 14:64)
- A glutton and a drunkard (Mt. 11:19)
Jesus’ Behavior
- He ate and drank with the tax collectors and those outside
the law.
- He was friendly with everybody without exception.
- He cured during Sabbath day, His apostles did not observe
the ritual of washing of hands before meal.
- He openly attacked the hypocritical lifestyle of the religious
leaders.
- He reached out to the Gentile and pagan territories.
- He attracted a large following common people
- He was discredit by the Pharisees, Scribes and
Sadducees among common people, but the more the
common people believed in Him.
Message of the Last Supper Events
- The Washing of the Feet (Jn 13:1-11)
- Washing the feet was the task of the lowest slave.
- Jesus, the Master and Teacher, took the role of a lowly
slave and washed the feet of His apostles.
- the act of washing the feet of the apostle represents Jesus’
whole life of loving service to others, climaxed by His
death on the Cross.
- Jesus bent and washed the soiled feet of humankind- a
symbol of mystery of divine forgiveness, to make us
worthy for the table of fellowship with God and with one
another
- Jesus set an example for all to follow: To live a life of
loving service to others.
- Jesus reminds us: only through attitude of genuine
humility can we render authentic loving service to others;
only through service to others do we come to true
greatness
Institution of the Eucharist (Lk. 22:14-20)
- INSTITUTE- Jesus established, originated and inagurated
the sacrament of all- the Eucharistic sacrament of His
Body and Blood (Sacrosanctum Concilium 47)
- The Last Supper was the new Passover
The Passover
- Expressed its significance in the symbolism of its various
elements like the slain paschal lamb, the unleavened
bread , the bitter herbs, and the cup of wine.
- Celebration of thanks giving
- Freedom from slavery
The Last Supper
- the new Passover meal in His Body and Blood , with His
apostles
- First Mass
- Reenactment of Jesus actions: took the the bread,
blessed, broke and gave it to His apostles.
- Structure of the Liturgy of the Eucharist: took- presentation
of the gifts
Blessed- the Eucharistic Prayers
Broke- breaking of the bread afterv the Sign of Peace
Gave- Communion
- Jesus went beyond sharing a meal as a sign of
forgiveness- He offered His own Body-( “This is my Body”)
which will be given up; and His Blood – to be poured for
the forgiveness of sins.
- At the Mass, Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross is made
sacramentally present through the symbols of the
consecrated bread and wine .
- The ritual makes present His bloody offering on the Cross
during the first Good Friday
New Covenant of Love
- Jn 13:34-35 – love one another as Jesus has loved us (
true disciples)
- Jn. 15:12-13 – the greater act of love is to lay down one’s
life for one’s friend
Uniting with Jesus in His Passion
- Jesus ‘ passion began at Mt. Olives
l. The Agony in the Garden (Lk 22: 39-46)
- Shows how Jesus was truly man in all things but sin (Heb
4::15)
- He feared pain and death; He was gravely troubled, filled
with mental anguish, inner dread, and sorrow.
- He sought human comfort, yet He gave Himself fully to
God’s will in prayer and deed.
- This perfect loving obedience brought Him the strength
to carry through His passion,
- Prayer is at the heart of the Getsemane scene.
II. The Betrayal of Judas and the Arrest of Jesus (Mt 26:47-
56; Jn 18:1-4)
- Twice Jesus asked His captors who was they seeking for
and twice Jesus identified himself to them
- This shows that Jesus freely and voluntarily permitted
His arrest.
lll. The Trial of Jesus
- Jesus was examined five times- by Annas, Caipphas,
Pilate , Herod and Pilate again- ( the procurator).
- In Filipino parlance, the trials is moro-moro, a mere stage
act
- The trials were mockery, there was already a verdict long
before it began.
- The religious authorities were clear with what they wanted
from the start: Jesus had to die.
- The final verdict of the court, Sanhedrin: Crucifixion for
Jesus committed blasphemy for claiming He was a
Messiah, the Son of God.
lV. Jesus’ Death on the Cross (Mt. 27:32-54)
- After scourging, He was handed to the soldiers to be
crucified
- Crucifixion was common form of execution for criminals;
it is the most painful form of death.
- Mt Calvary/Golgotha , the place of crucifixion
- Way of Sorrows (Via Dolorosa)= the few hundred meter
road that Jesus walked; “ long and endless road as the
road of human sinfulness”
- Simon of Cyrene- a visiting pilgrim to Jerusalem, was
commandeered to help Jesus carry the cross
- Two criminals were beside Him
- Stripped His cloths, and nailed Him and posted an
inscription “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews”
INRI (Jn 19:19-20)
- “Father into Your hands I commend my Spirit” (Lk 23:46);
Jesus’ last breath, a cry of prayer

Meaning of Jesus’ Death

- To the local Romans- end of another routine execution of
a troublemaker
- To the Jewish leaders- end of their fears that Jesus will
supplant them.
- To His followers- devastation of their faith in Jesus, end of
their most thrilling experiences
- To Jesus Himself- His death is a crowned of His earthly
ministry as the greatest act of love for us and our salvation.
- To us, disciples-of-today
- 1. Jesus died for our sinfulness.
- 2. to show us how to overcome sin and its effects on our
broken world and empower us to fight sin
- 3. it conquered evil and brought us new life (Eternal Life)

The Ascension (Lk. 24:50-53)

“Jesus ascended to heaven-simply affirms that at the
completion of His earthly mission, He took his rightful place of
honor at God’s right hand.

Basic Truths of our Christian Faith

1. The Ascension marks Jesus’ exultation into the heavenly
realm of His Father.
2. It does not separate Christ from us because as He
promised form heaven, “He draws everyone to Himself”
(Jn 12:32)
3. Christ continues to exercise His priesthood since He
entered “heaven itself”, that He might now appear before
God on our behalf”( Heb7:25;9:24)
4. The ascended Christ as Head of the Church gives us,
members of His Body, the hope one day entering glory with
Him.

Pondering the Mystery of Resurrection

Meaning and Salvific Importance of Resurrection
Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC 621-625)
1. It confirmed everything Jesus had done and taught
2. Fulfillment of the prophecies of a promised Savior for
all.
3. It confirmed Jesus’ divinity
4. It brought us a share of new life.
5. It is the principle and source of our future resurrection.

Challenge in our life

We have a God who is with us, REAL and ALIVE
- He is listening when we pray to Him.
- In prayer we share with Him our concerns, frustrations
as well as joys. He undertands us because He has
lived as human

Our FAITH in Christ who lives and is our life, CONSOLES

us.
Allowing us to partake in His New and eternal life, we
look forward to a glorious life at the end of our earthly life, where
there will be no more pain , no more suffering.