LESSON EIGHT

This lesson is based on the text, Life in Christ: A Catholic Catechism for Adults, by Rev. Gerard Weber and Rev. James Killgallon (Acta Publications, 1995). The question in bold type is followed by a short answer taken from the text. The text in italics is another answer from the RCIA teacher, Jim Collins. Hyperlinks in red will direct you to documents or websites related to the topic. The entire sequence of lessons forms a comprehensive approach to basic RCIA instruction.

 

Preparation: Opening Prayer

 

Proclamation: Acts 2: 1-4: When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled….

 

Song: Veni Creator

 

I. Veni, Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita, Imple superna gratia, Quae Tu creasti pectora.

Come, Creator, Spirit, visit the souls of your own; fill with heavenly grace the breasts that you have created

II. Qui diceris Paraclitus, Altissimi donum Dei, Fons Vivus, Ignis, Caritas, Et spiritalis unctio.

You who are called Paraclete, gift of the most high God, living water, flame, charity,
and spiritual anointing;

III. Tu septiformis munere, Digitus paternae dexterae, Tu rite promissum Patris Sermone ditans guttura.

You who are sevenfold in your gift, finger of God's right hand, you who were rightly promised by the Father, enrich our throats with speech.

 

IV. Accende lumen sensibus, Infunde amorem cordibus; Infirma nostri corporis, Virtute firmans perpeti

Inflame the light of our senses, pour love into our hearts, the weakness of our bodies strengthen with lasting power.

 

V. Hostem repellas longius, Pacemque dones protinus; Ductore sic te previo, Vitemus omne noxium.

Drive the enemy far back, and at once grant us peace; with you going ahead of us,
may we avoid all harm.

 

VI. Per te sciamus da Patrem, Noscamus atque Filium Teque utriusque Spiritum, Credamus omni tempore.

Through you may we know the Father and recognize the Son; and may we always believe in you, Spirit of both.

Deo Patri sit gloria, Et Filio, qui a mortuis Surrexit, ac Paraclito, In saeculorum saecula. Amen.

Glory be to God the Father, and the Son who rose from the dead, and the Paraclete forever and ever. Amen.

 

Composed by an Unknown Author in the Ninth Century
This translation is as close as possible to the original Latin and is also largely based on Dom Wilmart's verse translation into French.

Reflection

 

Questions: Salvation outside the Catholic Church; Baptism for Catholics (see CCC 1213)

 

Christ’s Promise: The Gift of the Spirit (p. 89)

           

  1. Who is the Holy Spirit? Third Person of the Blessed Trinity.

  2. Why is it we know so little about the Holy Spirit? We came to know about the Holy Spirit through Jesus. Towards the end of his public ministry, he promised the coming of the Holy Spirit. (Jn 14:16, 14:28)

  3. When did the Holy Spirit come? At Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).  The mystery of the Trinity was made manifest; the kingdom of God was inaugurated. He was also present at the Baptism of Jesus (Luke 3:22)

  4. What was the effect of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples? It ended their fear and uncertainty. They understood the teachings of Jesus. They went forth fearlessly, preaching, healing and baptizing throughout the world. (Acts 2:38)

  5. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2)

  6. What is the relationship of the Holy Spirit and the Church? The Church is the Body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit “builds, animates and sanctifies the Church” CC 747. The Holy Spirit enables the mission of the Church through the sacraments to announce, bear witness, make present, and spread the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity.

 

Section 33, p. 233: Faith, Hope and Love  (p. 243)

  1. Why do we receive the divine life here on earth? Because God wants us to be born again and to begin to share his life here and now.

  2. How do we receive the divine life? Through Baptism which leads us to faith.

  3. How does the divine life grow within us? With Baptism we receive the virtues of faith, hope, and charity; also, the moral virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude as well as the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

  4. What is faith? The power given us by God to believe in whatever he has told us. It makes us certain of the truth of everything God has said. Faith is a responsive obedience to God’s revelation.

  5. Can we earn the gift of faith? It is a free gift of God which we cannot earn. God will everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tm 2:4)

  6. What is an act of faith? An act by which we submit our minds to God and accept his word for something we cannot see for ourselves.

  7. How do we live by faith? By acting according to what we believe rather than according to what the world tells us.

  8. What is hope? The power by which God enables us to have confidence in the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  It includes a desire for the rewards which God has promised those who love him.

  9. What is an act of hope? It is our decision to hope for forgiveness and to aspire to heaven, to rely on the goodness of God.

  10. What is love? The gift from God which enables us to love him, ourselves, and everyone else. It is an act of the will, a decision.

  11. How are faith, hope and love increased within us? By their use.

  12. What are the moral virtues?

    1. Prudence: form right judgments about what to do or not to do.

    2. Justice: give all persons what is their due.

    3. Temperance: govern our appetites according to what is pleasing to God

    4. Fortitude: the strength to do what God desires in all circumstances.

  13. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

    1. Wisdom: judge all things as God sees them; relish the things of God.

    2. Understanding: have insight into the truths that God has revealed.

    3. Right judgment:  act with prudence especially in difficult cases.

    4. Courage: do great things for God joyfully without fear.

    5. Knowledge: see things of this world in relation to God.

    6. Piety: love God as our Father and to love everyone

    7. Fear of the Lord: fear offending God or being separated from him.

  14. How can we express our love for God? (a) offering him ourselves and everything we do; (b) doing his will; (c) imitating Christ; (d) uniting ourselves to Christ in the Eucharist; (e) recalling God’s mercy to us; (f) praying; (g) loving others.

  15. How do we show love for all people? Treating them with the reverence which is due to them as children of God. Practicing the works of mercy toward everyone.

  16. What are the works of mercy?

      Corporal works: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, bury the dead.

      Spiritual works: admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, pray for the living and the dead.  

  1. Why do we have to love all people? Jesus explained this in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Everyone is a child of God. We are called to love all children of Our Father.

 

Introduction of a Saint’s life: St. Peter

Prayer: V - Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. R - And kindle in them the fire of your love.   V - Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. R - And you shall renew the face of the earth.  Let us pray, O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of your faithful; grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.