Glossary |
A glossary of words that are presented throughout this unit.
(Choosing to Do Good, pg. 6-8, CEOWA) |
Angel
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A spiritual being created by God to serve God’s plan for human beings (eg. Genesis 3:24; 19; 21:17; 22:11; Luke 1:11, 26, etc.). Angels serve Christ in the accomplishment of his mission of salvation [Catechism 350, 351].
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Apostle
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One who saw and was sent to proclaim the Gospel by the Risen Christ. There were many apostles in the early Church [eg. 1 Corinthians 15:5-8]. However, all recognised the special status of the Twelve Apostles who were with Christ throughout his ministry in Israel, and who received from him a mission, along with special spiritual gifts and authority [eg. Matthew 18:18, 28:20]. Jesus appointed Peter, who became Bishop of Rome, the head of the Apostles. It is from the Twelve that individual bishops derive their authority and mission within the Church. This continuity between the Apostles and bishops is what is known as Apostolic Succession.
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Commandments, the Ten (the Decalogue)
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More properly known as the Ten Words (or Decalogue) [eg. Deuteronomy 4:13]; the ten sayings that summarise the laws of God, given as part of the Sinai Covenant around 1250 BC. Known as the Old Law, they formed the first stage of revealed Divine Law. Their purpose was to prescribe the basic human behaviour required for a relationship with God who is pure love and goodness [Catechism 1961-1964, 2059].
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Conscience
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A human being’s ‘most secret core and sanctuary’ where each ‘is alone with God whose voice echoes within their depths’ [Catechism 1776]. [see also Moral Conscience]
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Consecration
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The moment during the Eucharist when bread and wine are changed into Christ’s Body and Blood so that Christ is present personally under what still appear to be bread and wine. During the Consecration, Christ and the Holy Spirit act as the priest repeats the institution narrative of the Last Supper [Catechism 1353, 1375].
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Covenant
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A solemn binding agreement between two parties. God entered into two kinds of relationship covenants in the Old Testament:
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Demons
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Angels who followed Satan (or the Devil) in choosing to reject God [Catechism 391].
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Easter
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The most important Christian feast celebrating the Resurrection of Christ from the dead, his risen presence with Christians today, and the divine power he shares with all who live and worship as he taught, especially through the Seven Sacraments [Catechism 1168].
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Eucharist
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The most important of the Seven Sacraments, during which Christ changes bread and wine into his Body and Blood and invites participants free from mortal sin to receive him in Holy Communion. Christ through Holy Communion:
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Exorcism
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The use of divine power by Christ to expel the Devil or a demon from a person or place. This power was received by the Church through the Apostles. Those commissioned by the Church through a bishop to exercise this power are called exorcists. The Church allows the use of this power only after a person thought to be possessed by the Devil or demons has undertaken rigorous physical, psychological and psychiatric examinations.
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Grace
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The free and undeserved help God gives human beings to respond to God’s call to become:
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Lent
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The forty day penitential period of preparation before the feast of Easter when Christians recall the sufferings and death of Christ that led to his Resurrection from the dead [Catechism 540]. Its celebration includes prayer, self-denial and helping others.
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Litany
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A form of prayer made up of a number of petitions or invocations to which people respond. Litanies have been used since Old Testament times. The best known today are the ‘Lord have mercy’ during the Mass and the Litany of the Saints (used in a shortened form during Baptisms).
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Moral Choice
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A choice as a result of a judgement of moral conscience. It is either good or evil, right or wrong [Catechism 1749].
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Moral Conscience
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The inner call to do good and to avoid evil. It empowers a person to make a rational judgement about whether a thought, word or action is morally right or wrong [Catechism 1777-1778].
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Mortal sin
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The deliberate disobedience of a grave law of God. Mortal sin destroys the person’s relationship with God that is needed to enter heaven [Catechism 1874].
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Passover
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A major Jewish feast celebrating the liberation (or salvation) of the Jewish people by God from slavery in Egypt around 1250 BC. This feast was instituted and observed at God’s command [Exodus12:43-51].
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Reconciliation
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Sacrament through which God:
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Satan, Devil
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The name of an angel, created by God, who chose to reject God and used spiritual power from the beginning for purposes contrary to God’s love and goodness. Being created by God, the power of the Devil is limited. It can be overcome always by God. Unlike many religions, Christians do not need to fear the Devil so long as they are drawing on the power of Christ [Catechism 391, 395].
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Saviour
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A title of Jesus Christ as the One who ‘saves’ human beings from the power of Satan and sin and restores them to relationship with God. The name ‘Jesus’ in Hebrew means ‘God saves’, and identifies the identity and mission of Jesus [Catechism 430-435].
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Scripture, Sacred
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The Word of God written by human writers under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, as distinct from sacred Tradition - the unwritten Word of God. Scripture cannot be interpreted in ways that contradict Tradition [Catechism 81].
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Sin
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A deliberate word, deed or desire that disobeys a law of God [Catechism 1871, 1874-75].
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Venial sin
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The deliberate disobedience of a less serious law of God, or of a grave law of God without full knowledge or consent. Venial sin weakens, but does not destroy, the personal relationship with God as well as resistance to mortal sin [Catechism 1862, 1863]. Venial sin can be forgiven through receiving the Eucharist sincerely or by a sincere prayer of sorrow.
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