Prayer Before Studying
Incomprehensible
Creator, the true Fountain of light and only Author of all knowledge:
vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to enlighten our understandings, and to remove from
us all darkness of sin and ignorance. Thou, who makest
eloquent the tongues of those that want utterance, direct our tongues, and pour
on our lips the grace of Thy blessing. Give us a diligent and obedient spirit,
quickness of apprehension, capacity of retaining, and the powerful assistance
of Thy holy grace; that what we hear or learn we may apply to Thy honor and the
eternal salvation of our own souls.
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Holy
Spirit, giver of all good gifts, enter into my mind and heart. Give me the gift
of knowledge, wisdom, understanding and the grace to use it wisely. Help me in
all my endeavors. Give me perseverance and fortitude. Help my memory, that I
may remember what I learn and recall it when necessary. Guide me in my studies.
You who are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, let me not be deceived by false
teaching. Our Lady of Good Studies, pray for me. Amen.
Prayer for Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man And giving His life on the Cross. Help us to bear witness to You By following His example of suffering And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
Our Father...
MARY, Mother of Jesus, you were Jesus’ gift for us from the Cross. He gave you to us as our mother. Intercede for all our needs.
Hail Mary... Glory Be...
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven especially those in most need of Thy mercy.
Topic/Agenda:
• What
happens after Jesus Christ died?
• Our
Practice and Traditions in Lenten Season
– Station of the Cross vs. Scriptural Way
of the Cross
• Explain
the Freedom that Jesus gave us
• God’s
Grace
• Understanding
the composition of Man
What happens after Jesus Christ died?
History and Evolution of the Cross
(According to the Method of St. Francis of Assisi)
(According to the Method of St. Francis of Assisi)
For Roman Catholics throughout the world, the Stations of
the Cross are synonymous with Lent, Holy Week and, especially, Good Friday.
This devotion is also known as the "Way of the Cross", the "Via
Crucis", and the "Via Dolorosa." It commemorates 14 key events
on day of Christ's crucifixion. The majority concern His final walk through the
streets of Jerusalem, carrying the Cross.
The Stations originated in medieval Europe when wars
prevented Christian pilgrims from visiting the Holy Land. European artists
created works depicting scenes of Christ's journey to Calvary. The faithful
installed these sculptures or paintings at intervals along a procession route,
inside the parish church or outdoors. Performing
the devotion meant walking the entire route, stopping to pray at each
"station."
Today, images of the Stations (or simple crosses
representing them) are on display in
almost all Catholic churches. They serve mainly as a focus for Lenten
worship services. But the Stations can also be performed privately, at any time
of the year, even at home. Many organizations offer free or inexpensive,
illustrated pamphlets for this purpose.
Station of the Cross Varieties
Station of the Cross by the
Franciscans
|
Station of the Cross by Pope John Paul
II
|
1.
Jesus
is condemned to death
|
1.
Jesus
in the Garden of Gethsemane
|
2.
Jesus
carries His Cross
|
2.
Jesus,
Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested
|
3.
Jesus
falls the first time.
|
3.
Jesus
is Condemned by the Sanhedrin
|
4.
Jesus
meets His mother.
|
4.
Jesus
is denied by Peter
|
5.
Jesus is helped by Simon.
|
5.
Jesus
is judged by Pilate
|
6.
Veronica
wipes the face of Jesus
|
6.
Jesus
is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns
|
7.
Jesus
falls a second time.
|
7.
Jesus
bears the Cross
|
8.
Jesus
speaks to the women Jesus falls a third time.
|
8.
Jesus
is helped by Simon the Cyrenian to the Cross
|
9.
Jesus
falls a third time.
|
9.
Jesus
meets the Women of Jerusalem
|
10.
Jesus
is stripped of His clothes.
|
10.
Jesus
is Crucified
|
11.
Jesus
is nailed to the Cross.
|
11.
Jesus
promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief
|
12.
Jesus
dies on the Cross.
|
12.
Jesus
speaks to His Mother and the Disciple
|
13.
Jesus
is taken down from the Cross.
|
13.
Jesus
dies on the Cross
|
14.
Jesus
is placed in the tomb.
|
14.
Jesus
is placed in the Tomb
|
So What is the Meaning of these Stations of the Cross to Us?
Through Christ, We are Free -- Freedom from
What???
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2
Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
John 8:32
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John
8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
1 Corinthians 7:22
For he who was called in the Lord as a
slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a
slave of Christ.
Freedom from Sins:
Galatians 5:1-26
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
Romans 6:11-22
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Freedom from Law:
Galatians 3:10-13
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under
a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and
obey all the things written in the book of the law.” 11 Now it is evident
that no one is justified before God by the law; for “The one who is
righteous will live by faith.”[b] 12 But the law does not rest on faith;
on the contrary, “Whoever does the works of the law[c] will live by them.” 13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for
it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in
Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:23-29
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the
law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the
law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by
faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in
Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Romans 7:1-25
Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those
who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her
husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress
if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband
dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an
adulteress. Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the
body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised
from the dead, in order that we may bear
fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful
passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.
Purpose of the Law:
Romans 6:11-22
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. 13 No longer present your members to sin as instruments[a] of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments[b] of righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. 13 No longer present your members to sin as instruments[a] of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments[b] of righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Galatians 3:23-29
21 Is the law then opposed to the promises of God?
Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could make alive,
then righteousness would indeed come through the law. 22 But the scripture has
imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through
faith in Jesus Christ[j] might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before
faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be
revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came,
so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we
are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all
children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or
Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female;
for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then
you are Abraham’s offspring,[k] heirs according to the promise.
John 15:10
If you keep my commandments, you will abide
in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide
in his love.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter
the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in
heaven.
Grace from the Law and Sin through Jesus
Christ:
2 Corinthians 5:19
That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to
himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the
message of reconciliation.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new
creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Romans 8:21
That the creation itself will be set free from its
bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of
God.
Hebrews 2:14-15
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he
himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might
destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all
those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Human
Experience: Recapitulation
Abusing God's Grace:
Romans 5:18-21
18 Therefore just as one
man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness
leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man’s
disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many
will be made righteous. 20 But law came in, with the result that the
trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21 so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also
exercise dominion through justification[a] leading to eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 but he said to me, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for power[a] is made perfect in weakness.” So, I
will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of
Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I
am weak, then I am strong.
Jude 1:3-4
3 Beloved, while eagerly
preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to
write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted
to the saints. 4 For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who
long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the
grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus
Christ.
Romans 6:15-18
15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18 and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, 18 and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Life
Application/Expression:
Understanding Human Composition:
Genesis 2:7
7 then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the
ground,[a] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man
became a living being.
Hebrews 4:12
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper
than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul
from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to
judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely;
and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound[a] and
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 7:14-25 (Inner Conflict)
14 For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the
flesh, sold into slavery under sin.[a] 15 I do not understand my own actions.
For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do
what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 But in fact it is no
longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing
good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I
cannot do it. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is
what I do. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but
sin that dwells within me.
The BODY. The body is the
physical appearance, outer material surface, flesh, skin, inner bones called
skeleton, internal and external organs, the material parts that you and I are
carrying around with us everyday.
The SOUL- The Soul, the inner
man underneath the body, the second layer, is very mystical, invisible, fluid,
non material entity, wind like, silent, cannot be grasped, light, cosmic,
ethereal in composition, able to travel anywhere or leave the body at will,
helps and holds the body to live, move, think, speak, act and stand, lies
inside under the body mass. The soul through the Mind can send messages of
his attitude, feelings, emotions, moods, actions, behavior within and
communicates it to the body to accept, relay and expresses it without
delay. The soul can lead or mislead the body. The soul tells the body what to do as the commander of the body.
The body must obey the soul’s dictates with some or no complaints. This ever
living being inside us, can choose, decide, change, control, establish,
express, obey and do anything by force. The Mind, as
the driver, exercises great authority and power over our soul’s life.
The mind instructs, directs and controls the soul to guide our body, life
and actions. The soul can spell success or doom
in us from the mind center if the mind is not properly controlled, bridled and
checked in his dictates to the soul and body. All of soul's actions
hunts him forever.
THE SPIRIT is the Supreme owner,
omni-present, and commander of the Universe. The SPIRIT is the Father, creator,
and LORD of both soul and body. The soul is the image of the SPIRIT and the
body is the likeness of GOD. The SPIRIT is the third inner most layer of our
being, HE is invisible, silent, permeates all, fluid, non material, wind like,
ethereal, cosmic, light, cannot be grasped, powerful, unstoppable by anything,
forceful, loving, good, holy, kind, can perform miracles and wonders at will in
the life of all His creations. The SPIRIT sits
gloriously, majestically and silently at the center of the soul-His throne,
always waiting and ready to come in and save both body and the soul. It
is the choice, duty and decision of the soul to consciously, deliberately and
aggressively get in touch with the SPIRIT or GOD inside the soul. As soon as the soul receives the life of GOD within,
the soul transmits to the sensitive body to express the soul’s resolve in the
body entity. The life of GOD in the soul becomes the
SPIRIT life of GOD in the body and the three layers become ONE life of GOD altogether.
How to Maintain the Flow of Anointing (Holy
Spirit):
A Lesson from Prophet Elijah and Elisha
encounter with the Widows
•
Examine your Attitude
–
Do you have a Spirit of Unbelief, Doubt and Fear? When God anointed you with
His Holy Spirit, He didn't give you a spirit of timidity or fear. The oil that
descended upon you is the spirit of love, power and self-control (see 2 Tim.
1:7).
•
Establish your
priorities – Give first to God; God, who doesn't owe
anybody anything, will give you what you need and even more. Consecrate your
life to God. Let Him be the most important thing in your life.
•
Be obedient –
Instead of following God's instructions, they become afraid, lose their faith
and end up disobeying. They do this over and over again until God cannot trust them
any longer. And so, very slowly, the anointing decreases. God touches other
believers, fills them with joy, gives them external evidences so they learn to
trust and fills them to overflowing with His love. They receive the anointing
but continue with sin in their lives.
–
Become a True
Catholic Christian – Follow the commandments as stated by the Bible and the
Catholic Church.
•
Time with God --
The believer has to understand the importance of time alone with God. Anointed
men and women who have been raised up by God in each generation have been those
whose prayer lives were rich and consistent. Prayer must be a daily practice
for every believer. We must be alone with Him as much as possible--not only to
seek more of Him but also to see our anointing increase. Jesus practiced this
in His own life, pulling away to be alone with His Father. There, He received
more holy anointing.
–
1. Acknowledge your
sin before God. Tell God that He is righteous and just and that you agree with
His assessment of your sin. Confess your sins to God and to Priests.
–
2. Acknowledge the
sin's grip on you and your desire to be free of it forever.
–
3. Ask for God's
forgiveness of your sin.
–
4. Ask God the
Father in Jesus Name to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
–
5. Make restitution
and reconcile with those you may have hurt. If the sin is only between you and
God then leave it there.
–
6. Destroy any
objects involved with your sin e.g. pornography or objects and books used in
witchcraft, astrology, pagan religions, idolatry, masonry, etc. (See
Deuteronomy 7:5, 25 and Acts 19:19)
–
7. Press on to higher
ground through obedience, prayer, fellowship and bible study. Get involved in
the things of God. God only gives you power and strength so you can use it to
bless others.
•
Sharing the Anointing
--
For the anointing not to run dry, we have to share it. So many believers spend
their time praying for more anointing, more oil. The oil of the anointing will
cease when you stop finding jars with which to share your blessings. As long as
there are new jars to hold the Holy Spirit's oil, the anointing will go on. The
people around you--at home, at work, in the neighborhood, in your school--are
empty jars. They are needy, lacking all those things that only Jesus Christ can
produce in people's lives. When you bless them, two things happen. They are
filled, and your oil continues to flow even more.
Come Holy Spirit
1. Come Holy Spirit I need You
Come Holy Spirit I pray
Come with Your strength and Your power
Come in Your own special way
2. Come Holy Spirit I need You]
Come Holy Spirit I pray
Come with Your light and Your wisdom
Come in Your own special way
3. Come Holy Spirit I need You
Come Holy Spirit I Pray
Come With Your joy and Your Wisdom
Come in Your own special way
4. Come like a spring in the desert
Come, to the weary of soul
Lord, let Your sweet healing power
Touch me and make me whole
5. Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit, our God,
All three in one (now and forever, Amen)
1. Come Holy Spirit I need You
Come Holy Spirit I pray
Come with Your strength and Your power
Come in Your own special way
2. Come Holy Spirit I need You]
Come Holy Spirit I pray
Come with Your light and Your wisdom
Come in Your own special way
3. Come Holy Spirit I need You
Come Holy Spirit I Pray
Come With Your joy and Your Wisdom
Come in Your own special way
4. Come like a spring in the desert
Come, to the weary of soul
Lord, let Your sweet healing power
Touch me and make me whole
5. Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son
Glory be to the Holy Spirit, our God,
All three in one (now and forever, Amen)
Prayer for the Help of the Holy Spirit
O God, I thank you for this day and the lessons that we have learned today. May You send forth your Holy Spirit and stay forever into my heart that I may perceive and understand You more, into my mind that I may remember, and into my soul that I may meditate. Inspire me to speak and behave with patience, piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy. Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end. By Your grace, we may live and preach on the Words that You spoke to us today. May your grace ever help and correct me, and may I be strengthened now with love and wisdom from on high, for the sake of your infinite mercy. Amen.
O God, I thank you for this day and the lessons that we have learned today. May You send forth your Holy Spirit and stay forever into my heart that I may perceive and understand You more, into my mind that I may remember, and into my soul that I may meditate. Inspire me to speak and behave with patience, piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy. Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end. By Your grace, we may live and preach on the Words that You spoke to us today. May your grace ever help and correct me, and may I be strengthened now with love and wisdom from on high, for the sake of your infinite mercy. Amen.
References:
•Holy
Bible (New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition)
•Catechism
of the Catholic Church
•Wikipedia
•New
Advent (www.newadvent.org)
•http://www.aibi.ph/articles/spirrels.htm
•http://carm.org/questions/other-questions/how-do-we-know-when-we-hear-holy-spirit
•http://carm.org/questions/other-questions/how-do-we-know-when-we-hear-holy-spirit
CCC
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