Level 8, Chapter 14
"The Universal Call to Holiness"
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Dinner (6:00-6:30)
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Aim: "We are all called to holiness."
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Materials: rosaries, Music Issue, Prayer handout
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Key Words (Vocabulary):
vocation: The calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter.
holiness: Being close to or belonging to God.
apostolate: Work carried out to help further the mission of Christ, after the example of the
apostles. Work that brings the Good News to others.
habit: A way of acting that is usually acquired by repetition of certain actions.
capital sins: Sins which engender (bring about, cause, or produce) other sins and vices. They
are traditionally seven: pride, covetousness (avarice or greed), anger (wrath), lust, envy,
gluttony, and sloth.
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Explanation
1. Opening Prayer (Matt) (6:30-6:31) Heavenly Father, help us to more closely follow the
example of your Son, Christ Jesus, in our thoughts, words and actions. Bring holy people
into our lives as friends, teachers, spouses, and mentors who will help us to grow our love
for you. Teach us good habits to avoid the near occasion of sin so that we may be always
faithful to you, grow in holiness, and obtain the reward of eternal life with you in heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Activity (Lance) (6:31-6:45)
2. General Calling (Matt) (6:45-6:50)
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20.
Message:
Through baptism every Christian is called (general vocation) to holiness and the
apostolate of evangelization.
This means we must live in the state of grace and strive to know and do God's will so that
we be with him forever in heaven. Basics of holiness: (1) Be in the state of grace (follow
the 10 Commandments and live the moral life). (2) Live a sacramental life (sacraments
are channels of grace). (3) We must live in union with Christ on earth so we can be with
him heaven. This means we must worship (faith) and pray (hope). (4) We must love God
and neighbor (charity).
We are to share in the mission (General Commission) of bringing the Good News to all
people. We are to be missionaries, sharing in the apostolic work of preaching the gospel.
Apostolates of the Church: caring for the elderly, serving the poor, teaching the faith.
3. Specific Vocation (Matt) (6:50-6:55))
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-27
Message: God knows each of us and has a plan for each of us ---a specific vocation. God
has given us gifts and talents and he arranges the circumstances in our lives for our
specific vocations.
4. The Capital Sins (7 Deadly Sins) (Matt) (6:55-7:05)
Message:
Even though Baptism removes the original since with which we are born, we are still
weak and inclined toward sin (concupiscence). We are easily tempted. Concupiscence
leads us to vice---habits of doing bad things (evil). What we know about vice can help us
grow in holiness because it is helpful to know what we must overcome, to know your
enemy. This way we know what to avoid and look out for.
There are seven capital sins which can lead to vice. They are called capital, from the Latin
word for head or source, because they are the source of all other sins and vices.
Pride is the chief capital sin, for it is the root of all others. Pride is an excessive,
disordered love of self. What does pride lead to? putting or own desires before God's
and neighbors. Is all pride sinful? No, rightful pride is correctly being proud of your
accomplishments and having a healthy self esteem. Rightful pride knows that God is the
true source of our talents and self-worth.
Covetousness or avarice means greed. It is the uncontrolled desire for earthly
possessions such as money, possessions (clothes, cars, games), power, and popularity. A
certain desire for these things is natural since they are necessary in order to live in the
world. What can covetousness lead to? lies, cheating, stealing, and murder in order to
possess these things.
Anger or wrath is an uncontrolled expression of displeasure and antagonism, often
accompanied by a desire for revenge. Is all anger sinful? No. Righteous anger is the
proper response to injustice (Jesus throwing the money changers out of the Temple). It
differs from sinful anger because sinful anger is done out of bitterness or hatred and
seeks revenge. Anger becomes disordered when it is accompanied by a desire for
revenge.
Lust is the uncontrolled desire for or indulgence in sexual pleasures. It should not be
confused with the lawful use of our sexual powers within the holy state of marriage.
Sexual pleasure within marriage can be healthy and good. Sexual pleasure becomes
disordered when it is focused on one's own pleasure instead of selfless true love of
another person and when it is separated from marriage and the purpose of marriage.
Envy is unhappiness or discontent over the good fortune or success of others. We are
envious when we are saddened at another's prosperity or when we rejoice in another's
misfortune. The vice of envy is not the same as the ordinary desire or wish to be
successful like someone else or to possess a certain talent.
Gluttony is an uncontrolled desire for and indulgence in food and drink. The inclination
to sin can be seen in our natural tendencies such as our desire for food and drink so that
we can survive physically. Because of original sin our natural tendencies can get out of
control which leads to sin. Excessive desire for food and drink can lead a person to
gluttony or drunkenness.
Sloth is excessive laziness or carelessness. It differs from the other vices because it is not
an ordinary desire that is uncontrolled. It is a lack of desire to do one's duties,
particularly spiritual, because of the effort that is involved. It is not the same as a
reasonable desire for times of rest or leisure.
5. Evaluation (Matt) (7:05-7:10) (while Father vests)
Identify the capital sins in the following:
Drunkenness: ____________. Not getting out of bed in time to attend Mass:
_______________. Stealing: ____________.
Angrily suggesting someone next to
you be quiet during Mass: _____________.
Being unhappy when someone gets a
better grade than you: _____________.
Putting others down to make yourself look
better: ________________.
Beating someone who disturbed you during Mass:
______________. Wishing you were a talented soccer player: ______________.
Adultery: ____________. Cheating on an exam: __________________.
6. Prayer in the Church (Fr. Kieran) (7:10-7:30 pm)
Exposition
Hymn: "Father I adore you"
Intercessory Prayers
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Hymn: "Sanctuary"
Benediction
Divine Praises
Hymn: "Your Grace is Enough" (#640 in Music Issue)
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Dessert