Schedule for Nicene Creed Memorization

Schedule for Nicene Creed memorization:
(date in ( ) is assignment date; date for recitation test is the next class after the assignment date)

(Feb 12) I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

(Feb 19) I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.

(Feb 26) God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.

(March 4) For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

(March 11) For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.

(March 25) He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

(April 15) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

(April 22) I believe in one, holy,
catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins

(April 29) and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Official commentary on the changes in the Nicene Creed is here (link).

19 February 2012 Class

Since Lent was coming up, decided to learn how to pray the Rosary. Also, started second week of memorizing the Nicene Creed.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages

Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum,

Filium Dei unigenitum.

Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula

Old version:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

The new Creed translation also recovers Christ’s title, “Only Begotten Son” (“Fili Unigenite”), which we see in the revised Gloria.  To say the Son is “born of the Father before all ages” is a profound theological truth, for the Son is not “born” in the human sense of beginning one’s life, but eternally proceeds from the Father while being always fully God.  Therefore, we profess that Jesus Christ is “begotten, not made.”

http://old.usccb.org/romanmissal/samples-people.shtml
---

For Rosary, used Luminous Mysteries from here: 

CatholiCity.com © 1996-2012 The Mary Foundation

http://www.catholicity.com/prayer/luminous.html

The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary

Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter which introduced the Luminous Mysteries in October 2002.

Five mysteries, the Mysteries of Light (or the Luminous Mysteries), have been added to the Rosary. They focus on the public ministry of Jesus Christ. They are:

1. The Baptism in the Jordan

"Here, as Christ descends into the waters, the innocent one who became 'sin' for our sake (cf. 2Cor 5:21), the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares him the beloved Son (cf. Mt 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit descends on him to invest him with the mission which he is to carry out."

2. The Wedding at Cana

"The first of the signs, given at Cana (cf. Jn 2:1- 12), when Christ changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among believers."

3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom

"The preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to him in humble trust (cf. Mk 2:3-13; Lk 7:47- 48): the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which he continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which he has entrusted to his Church (cf. Jn 20:22-23)."

4. The Transfiguration

"The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to 'listen to him' (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit."

5. The Institution of the Eucharist

"Christ offers his body and blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies 'to the end' his love for humanity (Jn 13:1), for whose salvation he will offer himself in sacrifice." Jesus offers the first Mass at the Last Supper with his apostles, establishing the sacramental foundation for all Christian living.

 ---

Had students trace (outline) Rosary on paper and write what prayer(s) is/are said at what place. This prayer is a meditative prayer on the mysteries. Then went through Rosary prayers as a class.

Also, passed out article about Lent and what to do/give up for adults and children/teens. Article is here ("Make Lent Count").

12 February 2012 Class

We started memorizing the Nicene Creed today. Also, the original Latin was given to see why the change to the Creed was made:

Nicene Creed

Part 1

New Version:

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

 

Original Latin

Credo in unum Deum,

Patrem omnipotentem,

factorem coeli et terrae,

visibilium omnium et invisibilium.

Latin vowels:    a-ah    e-eh    i-ee   o-oh    u-oo

                           (no diphthongs)

Old version:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is seen and unseen.

Commentary from USCCB:

http://old.usccb.org/romanmissal/samples-people.shtml#nicene

This Creed was originally adopted at the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 and updated at the Council of Constantinople in A.D. 381.  It is therefore also referred to as the “Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.”

The first major change is difficult to miss: the Creed will now say “I believe” instead of “We believe.”  Other language groups have been using “I believe” in the vernacular, because it is a straightforward translation of the Latin “Credo.”  This offers a recurring opportunity to reaffirm one’s personal faith, just as when individuals respond, “I do,” if there is a renewal of baptismal promises during Mass.

The next change is from “seen and unseen” to “visible and invisible.”  The Latin “visibilium” and “invisibilium” convey a more specific demarcation between the bodily and the spiritual realms.  For instance, a child playing hide-and-seek may be unseen yet is still considered visible, whereas one’s guardian angel is indeed invisible by nature.
---

Went over "under my roof" (under my roof: sub tectum meum) last week (showed Jesus of Nazareth scene (here up to 2:16) two weeks ago on this), but below was the text used (did not go over it this week, however, went over ***** "love" section ***** below this section (see below)):

From http://old.usccb.org/romanmissal/samples-people.shtml#nicene
© United States Conference of Catholic Bishops · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3060 · All rights Reserved

Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But say the word and my soul will be healed.

Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.

Then come the words we pray in response, before the distribution of Holy Communion begins: “Lord, I am not worthy…”

The replacement of our current, relatively terse “not worthy to receive you” with “I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof” is a significant change.  The new line comes directly from the Gospels, particularly Matthew 8:8, in which the faith-filled centurion begs Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”  It is therefore a Biblical text that conveys humanity’s unworthiness on account of sin, and our need for sincere humility before receiving the Holy Eucharist.  Indeed, when Jesus encounters the centurion’s humility, he says, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith” (Mt 8:10).

Nonetheless, despite these Biblical origins, speaking of “my roof” may seem strange before Holy Communion, since Christ is coming to us in the form of food – not literally entering into our houses.  Certainly, the clear association with Matthew, chapter 8, has a figurative intent, but it may also be helpful to recall that Saint Paul says, “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you” (1 Cor 6:19).

We are therefore to make our bodies into fitting homes for God’s grace to dwell within our souls.  The Eucharist is true food that provides spiritual nourishment, which is why we will refer more specifically to “my soul” in the last line.  But this sacramental strength for our souls in turn informs both our mental and physical deeds (recall the Confiteor also incorporates both types of action – “in my thoughts and in my words”), such that the totality of our bodies, souls, and lives may become suitable instruments of the Lord.

---

***** (DID go over some of the text below this week) *****

Since World Marriage Day and St. Valentine's Day was in two days, went over what love of God is. On board, had students write how they love family, friends, pets, acquaintances. How did that relate to loving God, example, to love parents, listen to what they have you do (follow commandments).

Gave out the following text from Bible and First Things (etc):

Teachings on Love

(Today is World Marriage Day)

Mark 12: 28-31 (Copyrighted Bible readings from http://www.usccb.org/bible/books-of-the-bible/ )

(Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.)

One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”

Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

From “The Weirdness of Commanding Love” Feb 3, 2012 First Things Howard P. Kainz http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/01/the-weirdness-of-commanding-love

    “With all your mind.” We can, by an act of will, work to increase our knowledge of God—in the Scriptures; in creation, especially living things; and in particular by recognizing the goodness of fellow human beings, developing the ability to discern the image of God in others (maybe, in some exceptionally difficult cases, looking for redeeming qualities or insufficiently activated potentialities).

    “With all your heart.” We are told, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be.” And we can control where we put our priorities, and what we “treasure.” We can make efforts to move our focus from distractions that interfere with our service of God. Even in prayer or meditation, the effort to avoid distractions and a wandering imagination is itself a loving act.

    “With all your soul.” It is quite possible to carry out tasks just bodily or mechanically; or half-heartedly; or with resignation; or with commitment. We do have control over whether our “soul” is invested in what we are doing.

 

And “loving our neighbor as ourselves” is basically a restatement of the Golden Rule—doing unto others as we would want them to do to us. We are “hardwired” to love ourselves. So the commandment consists in extending to others the same rights and care that we would want from others—acts which may or may not be accompanied by feelings of love.

 ---

John 14: 15-29

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, [then] what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

1 Corr 13: 4-8a, 13

Love [agape, see below] is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. … So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Bible verses above (all or most of the New Testament) were originally written in Greek. In Greek, 4 words for Love:

1. Phileo (between family/friends; Philadelphia=City of Brotherly Love)

2. Eros (romantic love)

3. Agape (Self-sacrificing love, purely for the good of the other)

4. Storge (Affection, less than Phileo as I understand)

5 February 2012 Class

There was only one student in class (Superbowl?), so we briefly went over topic. Will go over next week.

Next week, we will begin to memorize the Nicene Creed in sections (one section per week). See here (click for link; by the Bishops at USCCB) for reference to the new translation; it is a very good reference to the changes.

29 January 2012 Class

In this class, there were 2 new students and the confirmation class joined us.

Used Visions handout/magazine for Gospel reading discussion. Practical application of Gospel was related to advertising. Advertizing is used by companies to try to possess your person by making you buy/use their product. Billions of dollars have been used, so there must be something to it.

Talked briefly about "under my roof" in the new translation of the mass.