Religious Education Curriculum Directory (3-19) - The Catholic ...
Religious Education Curriculum Directory (3-19) - The Catholic ...
Religious Education Curriculum Directory (3-19) - The Catholic ...
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<strong>Catholic</strong> Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales — Department of <strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>Education</strong> and Formation1.6.9. Isn’t making sacrifices and putting upwith suffering a sign of weakness (1808, 1831)?A No. Making sacrifices and putting up with sufferingrequires a great deal of courage and strength.Jesus teaches us, by example, about the value ofunselfish living and the courage and strength thatrequires. It takes grace and personal holiness tolive as Jesus Christ has taught us.B Jesus shows us through the whole Paschal Mystery(suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension)that giving of ourselves is the path to eternal lifeand happiness. (571-655)C He gives us the example of accepting the Father’swill even when it involves suffering.D Jesus teaches us both in word and by example torefrain from revenge and to forgive those whohurt or sin against us. (2842-2845)E Suffering is necessary to develop our maturity inChrist and to love our neighbour as Christ loveshim. (Col 1:24; 1808, 1831)1.6.10. Is it true that <strong>Catholic</strong>s do not use orread the Bible?A No. <strong>Catholic</strong>s should use the Bible regularly. <strong>The</strong>Bible or Scripture is an integral part of <strong>Catholic</strong>prayer life, forming part of every Mass, everysacramental celebration, and the official dailyprayer of the Church — the Liturgy of the Hours.(141, 1<strong>19</strong>0)B <strong>The</strong> Church urges <strong>Catholic</strong>s to use the Bible in personalprayer. (2653-2654)C Scripture study and prayer groups using Scriptureare a common part of parish life.D In the fourth century, St. Jerome said that ‘ignoranceof the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ’.(133)1.6.11. Isn’t the Bible just another piece of literature?A No. While Scripture contains various types of literaryforms and genres, it is more than just literature.It is the inspired Word of God. (135)B Since it is not just another piece of literature,Scripture cannot be either read or understoodsimply in the same way as other literature. (108)C Scripture always needs to be read or interpretedin the light of the Holy Spirit and under the directionof the Church, whose book the Bible is. (100,111, 1<strong>19</strong>, 137)1.6.12. Is the Bible literally true?A It depends on what one means by ‘literally.’ <strong>The</strong>Church does not propose a literalist or fundamentalistapproach to Scripture but rather a contextualapproach. <strong>The</strong> Church teaches that all ofScripture is true on matters pertaining to religiousand salvific teaching because it is inspired by Godfor that purpose. (107, 116)B <strong>The</strong> Bible has a definite historic basis for eventsrecounted in both the Old and the New Testaments;the Church particularly upholds the historicityof the Gospels (126). However, the Churchdoes not claim that the Bible’s primary purpose isto present scientific or historical facts. (107)C <strong>The</strong> Church gives guidelines for interpretation ofSacred Scripture (109-114, 137)1.6.13. Isn’t the Bible about the past? How doesit apply to people today?A While the Bible contains history, stories, andteaching about events in the past, Scripture is theliving Word of God. While the content is rooted inparticular moments in history, the message istimeless and universal.B God continues to speak to us through Scripture;this is why the liturgies of the Church always containScripture and why personal prayer focusedon Scripture is vital.1.6.14. Why do <strong>Catholic</strong>s maintain beliefs andpractices that are not in the Bible?A <strong>The</strong> Bible is not the sole means that God chose tohand on the truths of Revelation. Scripture andTradition are the two complementary ways Revelationis passed down. (80, 97)B <strong>The</strong>re are teachings that come through Traditionthat are not explicitly found in Scripture. However,nothing taught through Tradition ever contradictsScripture since both come from Christthrough the Apostles. (82)C Apostolic Tradition refers to those things thatJesus taught to the Apostles and early disciples,which were passed down to us at first by word ofmouth and were only written down later. We identifythese beliefs as coming from Tradition andunderstand that this Tradition is part of God’sRevelation to us. (83)23