Scl9 Finals Reviewer

SCL9 FINALS reviewer What is Vocation?

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Vocare (Latin) “to call”. Vocation is God’s calling. A call from God to live a life of holiness in a particular manner and state of life

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Through baptism, it is a call to a life of holiness and discipleship. To knowing God’s will is to live a life of prayer which is A total surrender of one’s self to God.

Vocations in Life A. Consecrated Life / Celibacy 1. Priesthood 2. Religious Priestly and religious vocations are dedicated to the service of the Church. Consecrated celibates are those who have made a commitment to follow Christ and give themselves to God above all other things. Religious sisters, brothers, and priests live out their promises of chastity, obedience, and poverty and of engaging in missionary work as directed by their community. All of the baptized faithful are called laity except those who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders B. Single blessedness Without the responsibilities of marriage or religious life, single people can have a dedicated devotion to their career. Single persons have a greater opportunity for silence and solitude that is often translated to a deep prayer life. C. Married life Married life Share a life together and raise a Christian family The couples are the ministers of the Sacrament of Matrimony Personality Growth and Maturity before Marriage A. Predisposing factors 1. Heredity: sum of all biological processes by which particular characteristics are transmitted from parents to their offspring. 2. Environment: sum of all conditions around us especially of the people we interact with. 3. Education: provides formation in correct knowledge, values and skills for the development of personality. 4. Sacramental grace: Sanctifying grace is a gift from God and our participation of the very life of God B. Characteristics of a Maturing Person: It is with maturity that the person sufficiently develops powers of the body and mind to understand the implications of what he or she wants. 1. Prayerful and humble 2. morally upright: prudent, self-disciplined, just and courageous 3. responsible: competent, committed decisive, faces consequences, penitent 4. loving: forgiving, compassionate, respectful, helpful. 5. Self-sacrificing: patient, perseveres in doing good 6. Full of Christian hope C. Dimensions for Maturity: 1. Intellectual: Being able to undergo present difficulty to achieve future goals is a sign of intellectual maturity. 2. Emotional: Emotional maturity is the ability to control feelings and to face difficult situations calmly. 3. Social and Cultural: Social maturity is being able to resist group pressures when you believe you are right. 4. Spiritual: spiritual maturity is the process of becoming more like Jesus Christ

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5. Sexual: Occurs when people give free reign to their animal instincts and give due respect to one another as persons. Fully Human Sexuality (John Paul II) Nuptial Meaning of the Body: “The essence of the gift” "this one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" (Gen2:23)

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Masculinity has found in femininity its proper fulfillment, and vice versa

Masculinity can give femininity what it does not have just as femininity can give masculinity that which it does not have

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The difference of the sexes is no accident of nature, rather, it is the necessary condition which paves the way for the man and woman to establish a communio personarum (communion of persons), the sacrament on earth of the communion of Persons that exists in the very life of the Trinity The Human Body & Conjugal Act

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"theology of the body" is the core of John Paul II teachings on sexual responsibility, purity, and chastity

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nakedness without shame is not synonymous with shamelessness

Nakedness without shame is the tranquility of the beloved, naked before his loved one because she is confident that her body-person is appreciated in a non-utilitarian way

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Some things are hidden or kept private not because it's ugly. On the contrary, some things are kept private because they are beautiful, too beautiful in fact as to be sacred.

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This is why couples celebrate the marital act not in parks but in the privacy of their rooms.

This is why we feel violated when others invade our "inner sanctums," the things/persons we hold sacred.

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Pornography - the malice of pornography is not because it reveals too much. On the contrary, it reveals too little of the human person. It arrests the interest we have on the other person only in his/her sexual attractiveness. It reduces the human body (most of the time, the female body) to a commodity and an object of pleasure. The true liberation of women lies in the rejection of this profound lie, something which contemporary culture has brainwashed ourselves into believing. 2 Aspects of the Conjugal act 1. Unitive aspect 2. Procreative aspect

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Couples are only to raise children that they could reasonably look after and provide for God gave the gift of sexuality for the man's longing desire to have a companion of his kind. Each act of marital intercourse should remain open to the possibility of parenthood Responsible parenthood becomes a shared responsibility

Dialogue is promoted and the husband is taught to treat the wife or vice versa, not as a passive property but as a partner

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the woman is truly respected because we do not dump her body with harmful and potentially fatal chemicals to control her fertility In what sense do we understand man and woman as created “in the image of God”? CCC 355-357 The human person is created in the image of God in the sense that he or she is capable of knowing and of loving their Creator in freedom. Human beings are the only creatures on earth that God has willed for their own sake and has called to share, through knowledge and love, in his own divine life. All human beings, in as much as they are created in the image of God, have the dignity of a person. A person is not something

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but someone, capable of self-knowledge and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with God and with other persons. For what purpose did God create man and woman? CCC 358-359 / 380-381 God has created everything for them; but he has created them to know, serve and love God, to offer all of creation in this world in thanksgiving back to him and to be raised up to life with him in heaven. Only in the mystery of the incarnate Word does the mystery of the human person come into true light. Man and woman are predestined to reproduce the image of the Son of God made Man, who is the perfect “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). What is the plan of God regarding man and woman? CCC1601-1605 God who is love and who created man and woman for love has called them to love. By creating man and woman he called them to an intimate communion of life and of love in marriage: “So that they are no longer two, but one flesh” (Matthew19:6). God said to them in blessing “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Value of Formation in Human Sexuality:

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Contributes to integral maturation of the person For healthy interpersonal relations Fosters healthy acceptance of one's sexuality Comfortability with one's body Motivates genuine efforts to develop one's manhood or womanhood

Purity: Helps us to look at the human body as truly a “temple of the Holy Spirit. Chastity: Involves the integrity of the person and the integrality of the gift. The virtue of chastity directs all our sexual desires, emotions, and attractions toward the dignity of a person and the real meaning of love. Modesty: Expresses self-respect for ourselves and for others in speaking, acting and dressing. Abstinence: the Strength and self-control to choose not to engage in sexual activity until the right time. Friendship: Training ground of a lasting love rooted in respect, self-giving, faithfulness and commitment. Education for Chastity Begins at Home -Personal hygiene and grooming - discuss body changes - example is the onset of menarche (the first menstrual period); and change of voice as natural signs of growth that are expected, have meaning and purpose. -Parents should teach by example -When parents dedicate their time to their children and really place themselves at their level with love, they help them channel their anxieties and aspirations correctly, and teach them to reflect on the reality of things. -Children who have this experience are better disposed to live according to those moral truths they see lived by their parents. The Role of Church and Society in preserving the Sacredness of the Human Person -the Church assists the family in their balanced growth as persons in the world - through sound and orthodox Catholic education - through the liturgy responsive to the needs of the youth -the State promotes and defends the welfare of the family - through legislation and institutions Nature of Love -To love is to will the good of another (St. Thomas Aquinas) Kinds of Love (S Th I-II, 26, 4) 1.Sensible or love of desire

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- Sensible love is physical attraction leading to desire to satisfy one's biological needs, just like the animals. 2. Rational love - Rational love is rooted in man's spirituality and openness to being. A personal response to the true nature and true worth of the other Rational love 1. Concupiscent: - seeks what will perfect or make oneself happy 2. Benevolent: - seeks happiness or the perfection of the beloved Qualities of True Love: True love reflects the Cardinal or Moral Values 1. Prudence 2. Temperance 3. Justice 4. Fortitude Conjugal Love The only love that can be expressed in active sexual self-giving in the context of marriage. The kind of love shared by the validly and legally married husband and wife. CCC 1638 “From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and the dignity of their state by a special sacrament.” Characteristics of Conjugal Love  Exclusive- exclusivity Demands the total fidelity of the spouses.

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Complementary Intimate- intimacy Involves the sharing of the whole of a person’s life with his/her spouse Faithful Procreative

CCC 1638 “From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and the dignity of their state by a special sacrament.” The gentle, faithful and exclusive love that unites the spouses according to their truth as images of God is proper to a man and woman.  This is a permanent status that assures the development of an authentic community through constant mutual effort and is open to procreation and the education of children in their equality of dignity and complementary diversity.  This powerful and life-giving love in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit through Matrimony enlarges their conjugal vocation into that of parental vocation, becoming for the children the visible sign of the very love of God from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

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Marriage, a Profound Human Reality in God’s Plan Old Testament

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The purposes given to Man and Woman in Genesis were not achieved in ancient Israel.

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Women = subordinates

In the Priestly Tradition story of Creation, God blessed man and woman and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply, and subdue the earth. Bearing children

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Sons = prioritized Therefore, PROCREATION

CFC 1887. But human history presents one long account of failing to live up to this creation ideal of “becoming one body.” Genesis 3 sketches the origin of sin and its basic consequences in human marriage. It is sin, not God’s plan, that changes marriage from conjugal union of equal partners into mutual accusation and domination of one by the other. “God said to the woman: ‘Your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master’ ” (Gn 3:16). Thus, we have the start of the sad history of infidelity, adultery, divorce, broken families, and all kinds of sexual disorders that destroy human dignity (cf. CCC 1606-8). Old Testament Some Issues

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Polygamy allowed Divorce only by Men Barrenness Concubinage Levirate Law Onanism

Old Testament- Prophetic Vision of Marriage as Covenant

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Basis: Yahweh and Israel’s relationship / COVENANT= A solemn agreement between parties effecting a relationship which is binding and inviolable.

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Hosea: The prophet Hosea was asked by God to marry a prostitute. Hosea's marriage to Gomer showed Yahweh's steadfast love.

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Jeremiah Ezekiel Book of Tobit & Ruth

CFC 1882. The Bible reveals this “natural covenant” of love as the image/symbol of God the Creator’s absolute and unfailing love. “God created man in his own image and likeness: calling him to existence through love, He called him at the same time for love” (FC 11). CFC 1888. God, however, ever faithful to His covenant of love, included marriage and family in His redemptive plan. But it was only through Jesus Christ that the “covenant of human love,” symbol of God’s love for his people in creation, could be raised to become the sacrament of the “new covenant of Christ’s redemptive love” with His people, the Church. New Testament

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From the Nuptial Covenant between Yahweh and His people Israel. To the New and Everlasting covenant between Jesus and the Church. Jesus’ offering of His life to the people is the greatest example of love to married couples.

Gospels

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Not too many words or actions directly about marriage

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Jesus attending the Wedding at Cana: valued the marital union

But so much about love and discipleship Love your neighbors, “Love one another as I have loved you. No greater love than to lay down ones life for a friend.” (Jn 15:12-14)

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Divorce & Man’s stubbornness Mark 10:1-12 (also in Matthew 19:3-11) Original purpose of the institution of Marriage. Thru Jesus, marriage is redeemed For Jesus: No to polygamy, No to divorce and re-marriage

St. Paul’s Teachings

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He left substantial writings on sex & marriage Paul the apostle stressed marriage as a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church

Sacred Tradition-Patristic Era St. Augustine of Hippo • Marriage has three goods, and one more: – proles: offspring – fides: fidelity (including helping relieve the pressure of sexual desire) – sacramentum: a sacramental union (not in the Church per se, but in life in general) – societas: companionship. • Chastity is the higher, better state. Sexual intercourse within marriage is not to be condemned, but as the couple ages they should give it up when they are able. • Children of even adultery are valuable and can pursue holiness of life. • Procreation of children before the fall might have taken different directions, such as non-sexual procreation, a spiritual “multiplication” of virtue and reason rather than actual children, or perhaps physical birth without death—Augustine is unwilling to decide. • Divorce and remarriage are unacceptable. The marriage bond continues until one member dies. Church Magisterium Natures of Christian Marriage St. Thomas Aquinas taught the three ends of marriage: 1). Indissolubility 2). contractual union between ONE man and ONE woman 3). ordering to the procreation and upbringing of children, mutual help, and remedy for concupiscence. St. Albert the Great He said that marriage confers grace for doing good that a married person should do. Emperor Leo IV He said that marriage is not a simple donation but a mutual contract. Pope Pius V He decreed that any attempt to marry without ecclesiastical witnesses rendered the marriage null. Encyclicals: An Encyclical is the highest form of papal teaching document, generally addressed to all the bishops and/or to all the faithful. Pope Paul VI wrote the Encyclical Humanae Vitae: issued by reiterating the Church’s teaching that each act of marital intercourse must be open to the transmission of new life. Pope Pius XI wrote the Encyclical Casti Connubii: on the sanctity of marriage, prohibiting Catholics from using any form of artificial birth control, and reaffirming the prohibition on abortion. Pope John Paul II wrote the Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio describes the official position of the Catholic Church on the meaning and role of marriage and the family, and outlines challenges towards realizing that ideal. Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes analyzes the role of humanity in the modern world concerning relations and moral issues on marriage, family, birth spacing, education, war and peace and the economy.

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Immediate Preparation for Marriage as State of Life Definition of Marriage -Marriage is an intimate, exclusive, indissoluble communion of life and love entered by man and woman at the design of the Creator for the purpose of their own good and the procreation and education of children. -Marriage is modeled after Christ’s union with the Church. -Marriage is a conjugal union between a man and a woman -Marriage is a contract only in its juridical aspect, thus it must be complemented by “covenant” and “sacrament”. -The threefold good of a Christian marriage are: union, procreation, and education of children. -Marriage is directed towards union, procreation, and education of children - The sacramentality of the body is the inherent ability of the body to act as a visible sign of God's invisible love. Essential Properties of Marriage The essential properties of marriage are: unity and indissolubility (which means that it cannot be broken or annulled; the unbreakable union between husband and wife.). Essential Requirements for Marriage Validity The mutual act of valid consent marks the beginning of marital relationships. A valid consent makes marriage a marriage. What is Annulment? A declaration by a tribunal to the Church that a marriage never canonically existed as a sacramental union in accordance with the Church or Canon law.

Ten Things Every Catholic Should Know About Marriage April 15, 2015 by Fr. Dwight Longenecker There is so much confusion about love and marriage in our society. There is so much confusion about love and marriage in our church. So here are ten things every Catholic should know about marriage. 1. Marriage is something given by God - Marriage is not a social construct or a romantic idea. Marriage is not a sentimental occasion or the chance for a great party. Marriage is not something we made up either as individuals, a tribe or a society. Marriage is given by God. The beginning of the Bible shows man and woman together by God’s design. This was affirmed by Jesus Christ, human society, common sense and the universal experience of the human race. Marriage might have taken slightly different forms in different societies, but the essence of marriage–a man and woman together to complete one another and be united for life is a universal given. 2. A Valid Marriage is Between one Man and one Woman - Marriage is forged from the natural order. Men and women fit together. They fit together to make love and make babies. Two men or two women can love each other and that love can be a good and beautiful thing, but this is called friendship. It’s not marriage. Friends do not have sex together. That’s something husbands and wives–men and women do. Therefore, even if society makes laws that contradict this obvious truth, a marriage cannot take place between two people of the same sex. 3. Marriage is a lifetime commitment - For Catholics, marriage is for life. If you are validly married to a person you are married to that person until one of you dies. If you separate from that person you are still married to him or her. If you obtain a civil divorce, in the church’s eyes, you are still married to that person. If the marriage is valid you are married for life. If you are separated or divorced you cannot marry another person because that would be adultery which is a serious sin. You also cannot make love to another person because that too would be adultery. 4. For a marriage to be valid the man and woman must both be free to marry - You can’t marry someone who is already married. 5. For the marriage to be valid the man and woman must understand the nature of marriage and make their vows with full and willing consent - For all sorts of reasons people get married, but they either do not truly understand what they are doing or they have not made full and willing consent. If there are any circumstances or intentions which limit their ability to make full, mature and willing consent the marriage could be invalid. 6. For a marriage to be valid for a Catholic some other obligations must be fulfilled - A Catholic also has to be married according to the proper “form”. The proper form is that they must marry another Catholic in a Catholic church according to a Catholic ritual and officiated by a Catholic priest or deacon. If you’re a Catholic you can’t be married in a Las Vegas wedding chapel or on the beach or the mountaintop chapel at your local Baptist camp. You can’t be married by the Lutheran pastor or the Episcopal priest. You can’t

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choose a church according to which is prettiest. However, if there is good reason for a Catholic to be married to a non-Catholic or in some other place by another minister it is possible to ask the bishop for permission to dispense from the proper form. If you are a Catholic and you have not been married according to proper form then the marriage is probably invalid and you could probably receive a decree of nullity. 7. A decree of nullity is not a “Catholic divorce” - A marriage can be declared null or non existent by the competent church authority. After due investigation the authority may decide that a marriage never existed. This could be because of lack of form–the Catholic was not married in a Catholic Church to another Catholic by a Catholic official according to a Catholic rite. It could also be because one of the partners was not free to marry or because for complicated reasons, one of the persons was not able to make a valid marriage. 8. A decree of nullity has nothing to do with the quality of the relationship - You can’t apply for a decree of nullity because your husband has turned out to be a stinker or your wife is unfaithful. You said “for better or for worse” remember? A decree of nullity doesn’t have anything to do with what is happening in the marriage itself. Instead it is a decision based on whether or not a marriage was validly contracted in the first place. The reasons for the problems within a marriage might have existed at the point of marriage and may mean the marriage is invalid, but the actual fact of difficulties within a marriage–even if they are severe–are not the basis on which a nullity is decided. 9. For Catholics Marriage is a Sacrament – Marriage is not just a fairytale romance in which a man and woman fall in love and live happily ever after. In addition to the romance and erotic love, marriage is a sacrament. What is a sacrament? It is a sacred mystery in which the physical aspect of life becomes a channel of divine grace. In other words, through the physical aspects of married life– everything from making love to making breakfast, making money or fighting and making up–can be a connector to the divine life. That’s why we say marriage is given by God and we can’t tinker with the basics of what marriage actually is. 10. Marriage is part of the mystery of Christ and his church - In the Old Testament God said he would come and be the bridegroom of his people. Jesus used nuptial imagery many times in his teaching. He called himself “the bridegroom” and his followers “the bride.” St Paul said husbands should love their wives “as Christ loved the church”. He uses nuptial imagery repeatedly to talk about the church which is “the bride of Christ.” This means that our human marriages connect us with the mystery of Christ and his church. It is through the sacrament of marriage that we learn what God’s love is like. It is through the mystery of marriage that we experience the unity a believer is to have with Jesus Christ himself. This is why the Catholic Church cannot tinker with marriage, because when we change the definition of marriage we change our understanding of our salvation. When we change the definition of marriage we change our understanding of Christ and his church. When we change marriage we therefore change our relationship with God. This is also why the Catholic Church is opposed to anything which hurts or breaks marriage. This is why we are down on adultery, fornication, co habitation, homosexuality, masturbation, prostitution, pornography, divorce, re-marriage, bigamy, sexual abuse, rape, artificial contraception, artificial conception and anything else that breaks the precious and eternal sacrament of marriage. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2015/04/ten-things-every-catholic-should-know-about-marriage.html

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