Jacqueline Lohmann
Theology 11
Mrs. Knabe
4 May 2015
Final Exam
1. What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church? The Holy Spirit is the third component of the Holy Trinity, and rightfully so. The spirit plays a very important role as the connection between God and his people. It acts as the figure that “prepares the Church to encounter her Lord, [and] recalls and makes Christ manifest to the faith of the assembly” (CCC 1092). The Spirit brings us closer to God in acting as the link between God and the average human. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as the little angel on our shoulder (as opposed to the devil on the other shoulder!) whispering positive reinforcements and advice to be virtuous and upright. It also acts as …show more content…
Mary’s decision to be the mother of the Son of God started with her not just hearing, but actually listening to the word of God. Her attentiveness and openness is what makes her the “mother of listening” (Francis 133). After listening closely to God, she made the tough decision to take upon the important role as mother of Jesus. She probably had doubts about what her neighbors would think of her pregnancy as an unmarried woman. Instead of shrugging and dragging her feet into doing God’s will, she readily agreed to God’s command. Her enthusiasm for God is something we should look up to- instead of being swept with the tide of the time, she followed what was true in her heart. After she made the decision, she acted with a fire in her soul in order to fulfill what God wanted. These three traits make Mary the perfect model for us to look up to. She proudly carried and took care of Jesus, giving her new son all the love she had to give. We must be open to hearing God’s word, and once we hear His will, we must act with determination and …show more content…
The Holy See is the central administration of the Church under the leadership of the Pope (Albl 152). The Pope resembles one of the original 12 apostles, Simon-Peter. “The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the ‘rock’ of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock” (CCC 881). Simon-Peter was the original Pope, and his legacy continues today as new Popes continue to lead the Church. The Pope is the visible leader of the Church- acting as a representative of Christ himself. Just lower than the Pope is the college of bishops. Their job is to pass down Apostolic Tradition by “teaching the faith, celebrating divine worship….and acting as the pastoral leaders in their own dioceses” (Albl 156). The bishops are the link between the universal Church and the churches he is in charge of representing. Beneath the bishops are the priests, each who represent only one local parish. The priest’s job is to represent Jesus in his community, and “he exercises his service to the People of God through his teaching, divine worship, and pastoral leadership” (Albl 161). Under the priests are the deacons, collectively called the ministry of deacons. The job of a deacon is to serve his church and spread this service throughout the world. They are often found at mass assisting the priest or bishop in the Sacraments of Matrimony and Eucharist or
Theology 11
Mrs. Knabe
4 May 2015
Final Exam
1. What is the Role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church? The Holy Spirit is the third component of the Holy Trinity, and rightfully so. The spirit plays a very important role as the connection between God and his people. It acts as the figure that “prepares the Church to encounter her Lord, [and] recalls and makes Christ manifest to the faith of the assembly” (CCC 1092). The Spirit brings us closer to God in acting as the link between God and the average human. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as the little angel on our shoulder (as opposed to the devil on the other shoulder!) whispering positive reinforcements and advice to be virtuous and upright. It also acts as …show more content…
Mary’s decision to be the mother of the Son of God started with her not just hearing, but actually listening to the word of God. Her attentiveness and openness is what makes her the “mother of listening” (Francis 133). After listening closely to God, she made the tough decision to take upon the important role as mother of Jesus. She probably had doubts about what her neighbors would think of her pregnancy as an unmarried woman. Instead of shrugging and dragging her feet into doing God’s will, she readily agreed to God’s command. Her enthusiasm for God is something we should look up to- instead of being swept with the tide of the time, she followed what was true in her heart. After she made the decision, she acted with a fire in her soul in order to fulfill what God wanted. These three traits make Mary the perfect model for us to look up to. She proudly carried and took care of Jesus, giving her new son all the love she had to give. We must be open to hearing God’s word, and once we hear His will, we must act with determination and …show more content…
The Holy See is the central administration of the Church under the leadership of the Pope (Albl 152). The Pope resembles one of the original 12 apostles, Simon-Peter. “The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the ‘rock’ of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock” (CCC 881). Simon-Peter was the original Pope, and his legacy continues today as new Popes continue to lead the Church. The Pope is the visible leader of the Church- acting as a representative of Christ himself. Just lower than the Pope is the college of bishops. Their job is to pass down Apostolic Tradition by “teaching the faith, celebrating divine worship….and acting as the pastoral leaders in their own dioceses” (Albl 156). The bishops are the link between the universal Church and the churches he is in charge of representing. Beneath the bishops are the priests, each who represent only one local parish. The priest’s job is to represent Jesus in his community, and “he exercises his service to the People of God through his teaching, divine worship, and pastoral leadership” (Albl 161). Under the priests are the deacons, collectively called the ministry of deacons. The job of a deacon is to serve his church and spread this service throughout the world. They are often found at mass assisting the priest or bishop in the Sacraments of Matrimony and Eucharist or