CFED (Midterm)

• The CICM (Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae) is a missionary identity
• This is a course on CICM Missionary Identity at the University of Saint Louis in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, 2nd Semester, SY 2023-2024
• Names hold significant importance in human culture
• Proverbs 22:1: 'A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.'
• Surnames


  Root individuals in history and family tradition
• First names


  Establish unique identity and personality
• Names in the Bible often signify origin and mission, with many containing elements meaning "God"
• Name changes in the Bible symbolize new identities and futures, emphasizing the importance of names
• Abram


  High Father
• God changed Abram's name to Abraham


  After promising him many descendants
• Sarai


  Quarrelsome
• God changed Sarai's name to Sarah


  Meaning Princess
• Jacob


  Supplanter
• Jacob's name was changed to Israel

  Meaning "he strives with God" or "power in God"
• The new name gave Jacob a new identity and a new future for a nation
• The Bible provides key scriptural examples of name changes and their significance
• John the Baptist's Naming and Mission

  Luke 1:57-80
• The Foretelling of Jesus' Birth and Naming

  Luke 1:26-38
• Elizabeth gave birth to a son
• Elizabeth's neighbors and kinsfolk heard about God's mercy


  They rejoiced with her
• On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and would have named him Zechariah after his father
• But Elizabeth said, "Not so; he shall be called John"
• The relatives were surprised because none of their kindred was called by this name
• Zechariah wrote down that the child's name is John, and he regained his ability to speak
• The news of these events spread throughout the region of Judea, and people wondered about the child's future
• Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied about John's mission to go before the Lord and prepare His ways
• The angel Gabriel was sent from God to the virgin Mary in Nazareth
• Mary was betrothed to Joseph, of the house of David
• Gabriel greeted Mary, saying "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"
• Mary was greatly troubled by the greeting and wondered about its meaning
• Gabriel reassured Mary, saying "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God"
• Mary's response to the angel's greeting is one of confusion and concern. She wonders about the meaning behind such a greeting
• Gabriel reassures Mary, addressing her fear and emphasizing that she has been chosen by God for a special purpose
• The angel reveals to Mary that she will conceive a child through the Holy Spirit and that she is to name him Jesus, which means "God saves" or "Yahweh is salvation"
• Gabriel describes the greatness of the child Mary will bear, affirming that he will be the Son of God and inherit the throne of David, fulfilling the Messianic prophecy
• The angel declares the eternal nature of Jesus' reign and the everlasting nature of his kingdom, highlighting his role as the long-awaited Messiah
• Mary expresses her confusion and disbelief at the angel's message, as she is a virgin and does not understand how she can conceive a child without a husband
• Gabriel explains that the conception will be miraculous, brought about by the Holy Spirit, resulting in the child being holy and the Son of God
• Gabriel provides Mary with a sign of confirmation by informing her about Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy, despite her old age and previous barrenness
• Gabriel reassures Mary that nothing is impossible with God, emphasizing the divine power that will bring about the miraculous conception