Fides Quaerens Intellectum (Faith Seeking Understanding)

Week 6

Week 6: Luke 19:1-10

Jesus Comes to Save Us

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in

stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy.

Luke 19:1-10

When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

Jesus Comes to Save Us (Luke 19:1-10)

Key Points 1. Zacchaeus knows he has sinned and needs God to become a better person. So He

climbs a tree in order to see Jesus. 1. Because Zacchaeus is sorry for his sins, Jesus says: "Today salvation has come to this

house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.

• Jesus forgives Zacchaeus’ sins and saves him. 1. Jesus always forgives us when we admit we have sinned and ask Him to forgive us.

2. By forgiving our sins Jesus also saves us. He makes us holy and opens the doors of

Heaven. 1. We need to examine our conscience everyday and go to confession on a regular basis

so that we can: Make the changes in our life that will help us avoid sins. • Tell Jesus that we are sorry for our sins. • Admit that we need God’s help to be the best person we can be. • Make the changes in our life that will help us avoid sins.

Virtue of the Month Reverence

Virtue of the Month Reverence Reverence: showing your deepest respect for God and the things of God This particular virtue reminds us of God’s greatness/awesomeness – the majesty, splendor, and glory of God that makes Him alone worthy of our complete adoration and worship. The opening sentences of St. Augustine’s Confessions offer us an excellent example of a reverent person:

Great art You, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Your power, and of Your wisdom there is no end. And people, being a part of Your creation, desire to praise You . . . for You have formed us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in You. How great You are!

When we reflect on the perfect holiness of God – and by extension, the holiness that He bestows on the Blessed Mother, the angels, saints, and all persons, places, and objects dedicated to Him – the virtue of reverence seems the most appropriate response: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God of Hosts!” (Isaiah 6:3) When we have the virtue of reverence, we show in our words and actions that we have deep respect for God and anything that has to do with God – His Holy Name, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, the Holy Eucharist, and all the holy objects found in a church or that have been given a special blessing. We also show reverence for God when we show reverence for each other, because we are all made in God’s image and likeness. To show reverence toward someone means to have great respect for that person.

Saint of the Month Saint Tarcisius

Lived in Rome – 3rd Century Feast: August 15 Patron Saint of Altar Servers and First Communicants

Saint of the Month Saint Tarcisius Tarcisius was a twelve-year-old acolyte during one of the fierce Roman persecutions of the third century, probably during that of Valerian. Each day, from a secret meeting place in the catacombs where Christians gathered for Mass, a deacon would be sent to the prisons to carry the Eucharist to those Christians condemned to die. At one point, there was no deacon to send and so St. Tarcisius, an acolyte, was sent carrying the "Holy Mysteries" to those in prison. On the way, he was stopped by boys his own age who were not Christians but knew him as a playmate and lover of games. He was asked to join their games, but this time he refused and the crowd of boys noticed that he was carrying something. Somehow, he was also recognized as a Christian, and the small gang of boys, anxious to view the Christian "Mysteries," became a mob and turned upon Tarcisius with fury. He went down under the blows, and it is believed that a fellow Christian drove off the mob and rescued the young acolyte. The mangled body of Tarcisius was carried back to the catacombs, but the boy died on the way from his injuries. Tradition holds that when his body was examined, the Holy Eucharist had miraculously disappeared. Did you know that Saint Tarcisius is the patron saint of altar servers? In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to a large gathering of altar servers about their patron saint:

St. Tarcisius’ testimony, as well as this beautiful tradition, teach us the profound love and great veneration that we should have for the Eucharist. It is a precious gift, a treasure whose value cannot be measured. It is the bread of life. It is Jesus himself who becomes food, support and strength for our daily journey and the open road to eternal life. It is the greatest gift that Jesus left us.

Week 6: Review - Salvation History God’s Plan of Love

Almighty God - The Blessed Trinity A community of Persons

God the Father The Creator

God the Son (Jesus Christ) Redeemer

God The Holy Spirit Sanctifier

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

What is History?

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

What is History?

History is the study of past events, people and places in order to understand and appreciate where we came from – our roots – and to better understand the present and move into the future.

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

What is Salvation?

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

What is Salvation?

Salvation is God saving us from sin, death and Hell. Synonyms of salvation: (A synonym is word exactly the same as another word)

• Rescue • Saving • Deliverance • Redemption • Escape

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

What is Salvation History ?

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

What is Salvation History ? Salvation History is the study of how God slowly revealed Himself to us over time and uses event, people, and places to save us from sin, death and Hell.

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

It is important to remember that: • Christianity is rooted in history Rooted in real event, people,

and places of the past.

Week 6: Review - Salvation History

B.C. = Before Christ 15 billion years Ago - Creation of the universe 10 Billion years Ago – Creation of Planets 4.5 billion years Ago - Life on Earth Not Sure of the Exact Dates of the Following:

• Adam and Eve – (Creation of human beings) • The Fall- (Disobeying – turning away from God) • Cain and Abel • Noah • The Great Flood • The Covenant with Noah – Rainbow • The Tower of Babel

Creation Of The Universe (Approximately 15 Billion Years Ago)

Creation Of Planets (Approximately 10 billion years ago)

Creation Of Life (Approximately 4.5 Billion Years Ago)

Adam and Eve

The Fall

Cane and Abel

Noah

The Great Flood

The Rainbow of the Covenant

The Tower of Babel