Category: Christianity

Multiple “Signs” of Intelligence in the Bible

Read about Howard Gardner’s eight “signs” of intelligence (and at wikipedia).

Consider the first seven intelligences for this activity:

  1. Spatial – picture smart
  2. Bodily-Kinesthetic – body smart
  3. Musical – music smart
  4. Linguistic – word smart
  5. Logical-mathematical – number smart
  6. Interpersonal – people smart
  7. Intrapersonal – self smart

Assignment 1: For each set: give a brief summary of each scripture passage and answer the questions. What sign(s) of intelligence is(are) evident?

Set A
Luke 10:38-42
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407244614
What does Mary do?

John 11:5-6
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407244774
What is Jesus’ attitude toward Mary, Martha, and Lazarus?

John 11:20-22
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407244796
What is Martha’s faith based on? Logic? A Convincing argument? Her relationship with Jesus.

Set B
Exodus 4:10-17
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407323973
What is Aaron’s role?

Acts 8:26-38
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324001
Who are the two people in this story?
Why does one of them choose to be baptized?

Set C
2 Chronicles 5:11-14
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324024
What happens right before God’s presence fills the temple?

1 Samuel 16:23
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324060
Who calms Saul and how?

Set D
John 1:3-9
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324088
How is Jesus described in this passage?

Mark 13:24-27
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324116
How does Jesus speak about the second coming?

Ezekiel 1:4-28
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324150
Ezekial uses (music/logic/images/human relationships) to help understand God.

Set E
Exodus 18:13-27
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324224
What is Moses’ problem?
Who helps him solve it in a logical step-by-step way?

John 11:16
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324256
Who has a very matter-of-fact attitude?
What does he say?

John 20:24-29
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324276
Whose need for proof does Jesus understand and accept?

Set F
Luke 5:4-11
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324307
When does Peter first begin to understand Jesus?

Matthew 14:24-33
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324331
What does Peter do when he sees Jesus?

Matthew 17:1-8
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324355
What does Peter suggest in this passage?

John 13:3-10
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324377
What does Jesus do? how does Peter respond?
Based on these passages, which of the intelligences does Peter often use to understand and respond to Jesus?

Set G
Romans 7:14-23
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324401
Who does Paul talk about as he tries to explain law and grace?

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324425
What does Paul say helped reveal the power and the Spirit?

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=407324452
Paul understands that in his ________ the _____ that God has given him is visible.

Which of the intelligences is Paul using in these passages to help people understand God.

 

Assignment 2: Complete the following tasks:

  • 2 examples of the importance and/or value of musical intelligence
  • 3 people who are word smart
  • 2 people who use logical intelligence
  • 2 people whose understanding of Jesus is rooted in the intelligence of relationships
  • 1 person who is self smart
  • 3 passages that rely on spatial intelligence
  • 1 person who uses physical intelligence to understand Jesus.

For the Poor

I want a Church that is poor and for the poor. People with nothing have so much to teach us. In their difficulties they experience the suffering Christ.

Scripture
Though he was rich, our Lord Jesus Christ became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

Prayer
This is Pope Francis’ dream, O God – that we let go of our attachment to material things and focus on those who have very little of this world’s goods. I am so attached to what I have that this prospect makes me nervous and afraid. I need to travel so far to get a new mindset, and for this I depend on “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He became poor to make me rich in ways beyond my understanding. Amen.

Mary is Our Guide

Mary, Virgin and Mother; help us to bear radiant witness to generous faith, justice, and love of the poor; that the joy of the gospel may reach the ends of the earth.

Scripture

I am the Handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word. Luke 1:38

Prayer
Just as Pope Francis looks to Mary as an example of gospel living, so may I, gracious God. May she help me to bear “radiant witness” to my faith, to my practice of justice, and to my love and service for the poor. I want to say to you as Mary did: Be it done to me as you want it done. May I reflect the joy of the gospel in every aspect of my life. Amen.

Practice
I will pray often today: “I am at your service, O God; be it done to me as you will.”

What You Should Know About Purgatory

What is meant by the final purification? Understanding the Catholic notion of purgatory requires knowing the difference between a temporal consequence and an eternal consequence; this difference has nothing to do with damnation and salvation. Some people reject the idea of purgatory because they misunderstand its purpose. In this video, Fr. Mike explains why purgatory is needed and straightens out some of those misunderstandings.

To learn more about purgatory, check out these articles on Ascension’s Great Adventure Blog:

Furnace of Divine Love: The Biblical Roots of Purgatory (http://bit.ly/2pQQv80)
A Fiery Faith for All Souls (http://biblestudyforcatholics.com/souls/)

MORE FROM ASCENSION:

Ascension Press main website: http://ascensionpress.com
Ascension Presents website: http://ascensionpresents.com
The Great Adventure Blog: http://biblestudyforcatholics.com/blog

Commandments of the Church

Did you know that in addition to the 10 commandments there are an additional 5 “Commandments of the Church”. But there used to be more, or less.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commandments_of_the_Church

Read about the history of the “Commandments of the Church” and write a short post emphasizing your understanding of the current commandments, make mention of any other details in the article you find relevant.

Bonus: see if you can find a source online that specifically lists the holy days of obligation in the Canadian Catholic Church. In Canada, only two holy days of obligation sometimes do not fall on a Sunday. What days are these?

The Apostle’s Creed

 

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

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

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
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.
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.

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.

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.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Questions:

How can one God be three “persons” – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

How can Jesus be both God and human?

What is God’s kingdom like?

Think of one club, team or organization to which you presently belong. What is the purpose of this group? What is one requirement or belief of the group that helps all its members work toward a common goal?

Read Isaiah 49:15-16. What is the prophet attempting to tell us about God?

Read CCC #239. What does the Church say about God in this passage?

Read John 13:3-17. What does this passage tell us about Jesus and therefore about God?

When do you most feel the presence of Jesus in your life?

Give Advice to a Trusted Friend

“Make big things from small beginnings.”

First Read Titus.

Titus 1
Titus 2
Titus 3

 

The letter from Paul to Titus is very short and was written (around 66 AD) to a Church leader who did not become very famous. And yet a passage from this letter (Titus 2:11-14) is used every year at Christmas midnight Mass. Four little verses that are read at Mass begin with, “Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires” (The Lectionary, p. 106).

The Christmas story itself has other examples of God making big things from small beginnings. Mary is just a young girl – a teenager – and she becomes the mother of God. Bethlehem is a tiny town, not very well known for anything, and it becomes the birthplace of our Messiah.

God is very good at making surprising things happen from humble beginnings. So don’t ever doubt the importance of whatever you do for God. Even if you think it is small, God can make very big things come from it.

Second, take note of specific passages that Paul offers as advice to Titus.

Consider these themes:
1. What makes a worthy church leader? (Titus 1:5-9)
2. What tips are offered for living the Christian life? (Titus 2:1-8)
3. How can people, in general, be good in every way? (Titus 3:1-11)

Finally, write your own letter to a trusted friend. Modernize it. Make it real, convincing, believable for the 21st century.

Consider these themes:
1. What advice could be offered to a teenager looking at their personal future as an adult citizen (or a leader) in Canadian society?
2. What advice could be offered to a teenager struggling with peer pressure and social media or struggling with the temptation of drugs and alcohol?
3. What advice could you offer a teenager who struggles with relating to adults in authority: teachers, parents, police, politicians, TAs, … referees?

Format your letter using the same business letter guidelines you have mastered in ELA 9. Use your own address and the address of a friend in class, (or invent a realistic looking address).