Redemption

• How are Catholic churches useful for Catholics?

  - They can worship together (particularly at Mass)

  - Or they can pray alone
• How does the design and decoration of Church help Christians?

  - Helps to aid and inspire worship

  - By encouraging Christians to reflect on God & on their faith
• How do images help to aid & inspire worship?

  - E.g. Stations of the Cross

  - inspires Christians to reflect on Jesus' sufferings
• How do statues of saints help to aid & inspire worship?

  - Inspires Christians to follow their examples
• How do side chapels help to aid & inspire worship?

  - Smaller areas where believers can pray in a quiet space
• Why do churches built since 1965 place more emphasis on the position of the altar?

  - Is the focal point of the Mass
• How were pre-1965 Catholic churches built?

  - facing east towards Jerusalem (city where Jesus died and rose)

  - in the shape of a cross

  - altar against east wall (however congregation didn't feel involved as a result)
• How are c.1965 Catholic Churches built?

  - ensured that all congregation can join in with mass

  - altar towards centre of church
• What are the main features of a Catholic church?

  - Lectern

  - Altar

  - Crucifix

  - Tabernacle
• What is the significance of the lectern?

  - OT readings remind Christians how God has guided people from beginning

  - NT readings tell Christians about Jesus's life

  - In a prominent place so congregation can hear the word of God

  - Jesus -> Word made flesh -> Christ present in readings
• What is the significance of the altar?

  - Place of sacrifice -> where the bread & wine is offered to God

  - Link to Christ's sacrifice -> death -> bread & wine consecrated

  - Christ present on altar -> offered to Father on behalf of humanity
• What is the significance of the tabernacle?

  - houses Real Presence of Christ -> Catholics like to pray in front of it

  - inspires peace -> reminder that Christ is still caring for us

  - host saved in tabernacle for those who are too ill to attend Mass
• Why may some churches prefer to use an altar?

  - Place of sacrifice & thanskgiving

  - most important altar is the cross on which Jesus died -> link to consecrated bread & wine
• Why may some churches prefer to use a table?

  - Re-enacts Last Supper -> Jesus told disciples to eat Body & drink Blood ('given up for you')

  - therefore Jesus was sharing his sacrifice w/ disciples -> table is a reminder of this belief
• Why may some Catholics prefer to use a crucifix?

  - Reminder of Jesus's sacrifice -> for humanity -> therefore Catholics use as a sign of their appreciation
• Why may some Catholics prefer to use a cross (without Jesus's figure)?

  - symbol of Christ's victory over sin & death -> not on cross because he has risen

  - preferable to use than religious art depicting Jesus

  - emphasises resurrection & that Christians should be people of new life
• Why may some Catholics prefer to use a 'Risen Christ'?

  - reminder of what Catholics receive in communion

  - similar to the cross; emphasises importance of resurrection
• What is the relationship between free will & sin?

  - People can sin because God gave humans free will

  - Catholic Church teaches original sin (all people are born bound to commit inbuilt sin)

  - Sin broke the relationship between God, humanity & the whole of creation
• How did Jesus' death restore the relationship between God, humanity & creation?

  - Jesus lived his life in total obedience to the will of God the Father

  - Therefore this helped to restore the relationship between God & humans that had been broken by sin
• How did Jesus' resurrection restore the relationship between God, humanity & creation?

  - Jesus showed total obedience -> stopped from going to hell

  - Therefore his resurrection destroyed the ultimate power of sin & death & restored harmony of creation, in order to help people to overcome this in order to be w/ God after death
• How did Jesus' ascension restore the relationship between God, humanity & creation?

  - 40 days after resurrected -> Jesus in heaven to take his place along God as Son of God

  - Helped to restore cosmic order -> by making creation as perfect as God intended it to be
• What do the four steps signify?

  - That life no longer ends at death

  - Hope that like Jesus that will resurrect and be eternal w/ God
• What are the four steps that Jesus took to redeem humanity, relationship between God & the whole of creation?

  - Death

  - Burial

  - Resurrection

  - Ascension
• What is the significance of Jesus' death & burial?

  - Death redeemed humanity (total obedience) -> continued to show love in suffering

  - Christians believe when Jesus was buried he joined everyone who died before him -> therefore God is with us even in death
• Give a quote to show how Jesus's resurrection is central to faith

  - "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."" - 1 Corinthians 15:17"
• What is the significance of Jesus' resurrection?

  - Made life after death possible -> by destroying power of sin & death

  - When resurrected those who died before Jesus rose to heaven w/ him
• What is the Catholic significance of Jesus' resurrection?

  - Appeared to followers in a locked room -> proof that he had risen from dead

  - For Catholics, resurrection accounts in Bible show the resurrection actually happened -> rather than myths in Genesis creation
• What is the significance of Jesus' ascension?

  - Jesus is w/ Father -> glory shared for eternity

  - before ascension Jesus promised to send his Spirit to all people

  - gives believers faith that they will also be raised up to heaven (Jesus' rising up w/dead, relationship restored)
• Why is salvation possible?

  - Jesus redeemed humanity through his death
• What does salvation mean for Christians?

  - Saved from sin & eternal separation from God
• What are the focuses of liturgy in Mass?

  - Redemption

  - Salvation
• What is the significance of salvation in the past?

  - Jesus' death & resurrection essential to humanity's salvation (defeated sin & death)
• What is the significance of salvation in the present?

  - Catholics believe redemption & salvation are ongoing processes -> sin and death still exist (original sin) however can be overcome because of resurrection

  - Holy Spirit therefore guides people to work towards salvation
• What is the significance of salvation in the future?

  - Salvation will be completed at the end of time

  - sin and death destroyed when Kingdom of God fully established

  - then all believers can share Christ's glory & joy of heaven -> final victory of God's grace
• What is the significance of redemption & salvation in the liturgy?


  - Catholic belief -> redemption ongoing -> because Christs offering to Father on cross is re-enacted in Mass

  - Holy Communion -> Catholics receive Body & Blood -> nourishment of Christ for grace & resist sin -> closer to salvation

  - Mass is a chance to experience heavenly banquet
• What is the heavenly banquet?

  - Celebration of complete salvation -> Everyone in heaven has a meal together -> therefore Mass inspires Christians to work towards salvation in everyday life
• What is the difference between redemption & salvation?

  - Redemption -> making up for everyone's sins to bring humans back into relationship w/ God

  - Salvation -> freedom from sin which allows humans to be w/ God eternally
• Why is Jesus described as the example, restorer & victor?

  - Set an example to follow

  - Restored relationship between God and humanity

  - Victory over sin & death
• How does Mark 15 show Jesus as the example?

  - Went through w/ crucifixion (obedience) -> example
• How does Mark 15 show Jesus as the restorer?

  - After death the temple veil that separates holy part of Church tore in two -> death broken down barrier between God & humanity -> restorer