REDEMPTION

• architecture pre-vatican ii:

  • facing towards jerusalem- where jesus died + rose again

  • altars against east wall- jerusalem is in the east (where jesus died + rose again)

  east is associated with the direction of the rising sun, a symbol of the resurrection and promise of eternal life. Thus, they remind believers of Jesus' victory over death and the hope of resurrection

  • built in cruciform- reminder of crucifix
• architecture post-vatican ii

  • altars bought forward + pews are built around the altar- brings people closer to altar, to feel fully involved w/ sacrifice and encourages joining in with the mass
• decoration in churches

  • ornately decorated- reflects jesus' glory, shows importance of church (a sacred space where God is present, considered the "house of God" and place for worship and prayer. This sanctity fosters sense of reverence and spiritual focus among faithful.)
• decoration in churches

  • muted tastes- reflects jesus' humility (Jesus came to serve, not to be served, emphasized that true greatness comes from serving others.)

  • statues- reflects jesus' work in life (saints spent lives pleasing god, a role model to believers), join in saint's praise of god

  • stations of the cross- reflection of christ's suffering, done for our salvation by his love
• lecturn

  jesus is present in the word proclaimed in readings from the bible; jesus is the word of god made flesh

  OT reading:

  • reminder of god guiding people since start

  • reminder of god's promises (e.g. God promised to be Israelite's God and they would be His people, forming unique and special relationship, Exodus 19:5-6)

  NT reading:

  • guide to leading lives, according to Jesus' teachings
• altar

  jesus is present in priest ("in persona Christi" = priest acts in the person of Christ, e.g. consecration; jesus works thru priest)

  he is present on altar- bread and wine are body and blood (as words of last supper are repeated)
• altar

  • place of sacrifice (symbolises place where Jesus offered Himself as sacrifice for salvation- the actions of the priest make present christ's sacrifice, esp in eucharistic prayer)

  • consecration: offering of bread and wine to god, joined to christ's offering himself to god in death for salvation

  father, thru HS, offers body and blood in communion: strengthens lives + faith of believers
• crucifix

  • reminder of jesus' suffering for humanity, an ultimate act of love and self-giving to humans and father (in obedience to death)

  this is inspiration for a spirit of gratitude and love for christ
• tabernacle

  jesus is presented in the consecrated bread: the real presence of christ

  • lit candle reminds of presence ("light of the world", visually represents profound truth, symbolising his guidance, and salvation that dispel the darkness of sin)

  • gives peace knowing christ is present, caring for them still

  • reserved for those who can't join mass- eucharistic service: receive body and blood to be empowered by christ, even if not attending mass
• table

  reminder that people join in w/ last supper, the mass is a reenactment of this (jesus ate w/h disciples around a table)

  • jesus' words at last supper: "given up for you"

  reference by bread and wine (his body and blood) shared at last supper, of sacrifice through his death

  here, Jesus gives disciples + congregation a share in the effects of his sacrifice at calvary
• altar

  • place of sacrifice + thanksgiving (animals killed as offering of thanks to god)

  parallel of cross, where jesus gave life for obedience to god and humanity)

  therefore the cross is the true altar

  at mass, congregation joins in w/ christ's sacrifice at calvary (w/ offering of bread and wine to god)
• jesus' resurrection from death gives meaning to death

  without death on the cross, jesus can't offer himself to the father, therefore no resurrection
• crucifix: figure of christ dying on cross

  • reminder of jesus' suffering for our salvation- to be grateful for love of god

  • mass reenacts sacrifice of jesus' death
• cross

  • no suggestion of worshipping idol

  • figure not on cross, he has risen- focus that resurrection transformed everything, not jesus' suffering (believers must be people of new life, not death, symbol of triumph over sin and death, thru his sacrifice)
• statue of risen christ: image of christ as a risen, glorified savior

  • resurrection gives meaning to incarnation, work, suffering, death of Jesus (brings all things to completion, leading to fullness of god's reign)- helps believers visualize and understand the transformative event of resurrection

  • stresses the fact believers receive the body, blood, soul, divinity of risen christ in communion (allows for an intimate union with Christ, a profound way to encounter and be united with Jesus, experiencing His real presence)
• penitential rite

  • ask for god's mercy- enables worship to god w/ purified heart (strengthens unity, can be one w/ god as he forgives them)
• liturgy of the word

  word of god proclaimed- guide on how to live life

  OT:

  • god guides + save people

  NT:

  • jesus demonstrates love of god for us

  bible is story of redemption
• offertory

  • presenting bread and wine as sign of thanksgiving to god

  • and simultaneously offering themselves to god

  (jesus' sacrifice of himself joined to ours)
• eucharistic prayer

  • real presence of jesus in bread + wine- in consecration, the 'centre of mass'

  • reminder of last supper- to follow jesus' instructions

  • blood is new covenant between god and humans- is different to old covenant: often broken, dependant on keeping law, animal sacrifices

  (jesus seals w/ blood for salvation of humanity, covenant is never-ending)

  • priest's action make present jesus' sacrifice thru breaking bread (body broken on cross) and pouring wine (blood poured out)
• communion

  • receive body, blood, soul, divinity of christ

  (believers closer to god)

  (gives power to resist temptation to sin)- nourishes soul, to live life to full that god wants
• dismissal

  go out into the world- after spiritual refueling received in mass

  • thru daily actions, share christ's presence (received in eucharist) w/ world
• death of jesus: restoration thru sacrifice 


  because jesus did the right things- lived by god's law and love

  in his death, he displayed total obedience to the father (restores relationship destroyed by sin, the rejection of the will of god by sin)
• resurrection: restoration thru recreation

  jesus shows obedience to god (e.g. accepting death, fulfilling god's will)

  therefore death (eternal separation from god) and hell can't hold jesus

  so the power of sin and death do not affect jesus = god raises jesus from the dead

  overall, the ultimate power of sin and death are destroyed, harmony of creation is restored

  • resurrection takes place on the first day of the week|humans sin on the first day

  therefore jesus brings in the new creation that balances in the original creation that was damaged by original sin
• ascension: restoration of cosmic order

  • christ goes to be w/ god

  • christ takes his place at right hand of father

  god has: "put all things under his feet and made him head of all things"

  christ restored whole of creation to condition god wishes-

  • resurrection (+ defeat of sin) makes all things holy, perfect as god intended from beginning

  • christ (head of church) calls people (church) to join in w/ effects of resurrection

  this is perfection of the cosmic order, where whole of creation accepts god, god brings in everything as one = restoration of creation
• the significance of death in redemption story

  • fulfillment of mission: spirit given to world (e.g. forgives executioners- continues to love while dying)

  • total obedience to god: jesus dies as the perfect human (he is the sacrifice for human sin- second Adam)

  • sky turns black- death has cosmic significance, affects all creation (God’s original plan for creation is being restored, incl reconciliation of all things to God)

  • veil of temple torn in two- barrier (veil) between god (holiest part of temple) and humanity taken down, so humans are closer to god
• the significance of burial and descent to hell in redemption story

  • apostle's creed: jesus overcomes sin + death, so those dead rise up to heaven

  • opens up possibility of eternal life

  • means all can be saved
• the significance of resurrection in redemption story

  • jesus is the sinless god: cannot remain dead, death + sin have no power over jesus

  this brings the destruction of ultimate power of death + sin

  • hope of eternal life for humans

  • restores harmony of creation (resurrection reverses effects of fall, restoring original order of creation intended by God.)
• the significance of ascension in redemption story

  • reaffirms the unity of the trinity- confirms jesus as god (the son at the right hand of the father)

  this foreshadows and promises of what will happen to humans and creation: ultimate unity with god

  • restores unity of creation

  • means jesus' presence works thru believers, spread after salvation
• salvation: god's free gift to believers, grace
• death: eternal seperation with god by sin
• salvation in the past

  • salvation is guaranteed by death, burial, resurrection, ascension of jesus

  • event of jesus taking punishment for sin brings redemption of humans from sin (freed from the power of sin and death) to restore relationship w/ god

  • guarantee of evil, sin and death defeated in resurrection

  • resurrection and ascension gives promise of eternal life
• salvation in the present

  • up to us to accept the free gift of salvation (lead good lives w/ god's teaching in bible or receive sacraments) due to free will when giving into sin

  • need to be guided by holy spirit to resist temptation into sin
• salvation in the future

  • final victory of god's grace comes at end of time- when god's kingdom is established in full power: power of sin + death destroyed, believers share in christ's glory)

  • second coming of christ confirms salvation

  • promise of salvation, secured before, becomes reality when redeemed becomes united w/ god for eternity in heaven
• liturgy and redemption

  mass represents offerings of christ to father, people offer themselves up w/ christ

  • communion- believers receive body + blood of christ, christ enters life to give grace and strength to resist sin, live according to god

  • ask for forgiveness- to make more worthy to offer themselves up to god and to join in christ's sacrifice later in mass

  • chance to experience heavenly banquet- celebration to show completion of god's reign and defeat of sin and death (why believers sing sanctus, a hymn of praise)
• consequences of sin

  god made creation perfect, but gave free will to humans- wanted real relationship w/ us (have capacity to choose right or wrong)

  but: god wanted the best for humanity, humans wanted to do whatever (misuse free will to sin)

  this destroyed harmony between god and creation, so all humans have original sin

  this is fixed w/ god the son, who took on human form to reestablish relationship w/ god and humans (mission of salvation)

  consequences: broken relationship w/ god

  • eternity separate from god (hell)

  • eternal death

  • chaos into creation
• sin: rejection of will of god
• hell: eternity seperate from god
• atonement: restoring relationship between people and god thru life, death, resurrection of jesus
• ascension: jesus returns to father in heaven
• restoration: things brought back to way god intended