The Marks of the Church

One: Praying for Unity

The Four Marks of the Church

•One

•Holy

•Catholic

• Apostolic

What is UNITY?

1. A basic characteristic of the Church

2. Has two dimensions

a. unity among people

b. acceptance of different cultures within the Universal

Church

What is UNITY?

• People often react to differences with prejudice.

• Such reactions influence the way that we look at others.

• As God loves and values each person, we are called to love and value each other.

What is UNITY?

• The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that we are all children of the one Father. We depend on one another, just as the parts of a human body depend on the other parts to function.

• The Holy Spirit gives us different gifts and talents so that we can share them for the benefit of the entire Church.

Conflicts

• What causes conflicts?

• How are conflict resolved?

Scripture

•Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 11:2-3

•Parts of the Body

1Cor. 12:12-18,21-22, 24-28

Scripture: Isaiah 11:2-3

In the Book of Isaiah 11:2-3, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are described. In the passage the gifts are considered ones that the Messiah would have possessed. Through Jesus, we also receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

• Wisdom helps us recognize the importance of others and the importance of keeping God central in our lives.

• Understanding is the ability to comprehend the meaning of God's message.

• Knowledge is the ability to think about and explore God's revelation, and also to recognize there are mysteries of faith beyond us.

Scripture: Isaiah 11:2-3

• Counsel is the ability to see the best way to follow God's plan when we have choices that relate to him.

• Fortitude is the courage to do what one knows is right.

• Piety helps us pray to God in true devotion.

• Fear of the Lord is the feeling of amazement before God, who is all-present, and whose friendship we do not want to lose.

Scripture:1Cor. 12:12-18,21-22, 24-28

• Paul in his letter to the Corinthians reminds this community that they were members of the Body of Christ- the Church. He uses the analogy of a human body to illustrate that each part has a special role to play and the entire body is depended upon the parts. So it is with the Body of Christ.

Activity

• Read pages 68-69, then answer the following questions in your copybook.

1. Why was Paul concerned about the Church in Corinth?

2. Why does Paul use the image of the human body to explain the relationship of Church members to Christ and the whole Church?

3. Read Romans12:3-8

4. What issues do you think threaten unity in the Church today?

Church

• The living body of Christ

• The People of God

• Means- convocation or gathering.

Activity

•Read pages 403-404

•Complete the Activity at the bottom of page 404. Place your answer in your copybook.