Sea - Cfe 101 - CBL Module - 1st Sem Ay 2021-2022

COURSE LEARNING PACKETS Document Code FM-STL-014
Saint Louis University Revision No. 01

School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts Effectivity June 07, 2021
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CFE 101
MODULE IN
GOD JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE
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transmitting in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document,
without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
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University Prayer
God, our Father, source of all goodness and wisdom, we adore You. You have called
us, CICM – Louisians, with a sense of mission.
Dedicated to the Incarnate Word and under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary, our model of discipleship,
we dare to go to places where the Gospel values are most needed, where people are
excluded and marginalized, and where culture or justice is neglected. And for those
times that we have failed to do Your will, we humbly seek Your mercy and forgiveness.
We thank you for the opportunity to be part

of Saint Louis University. As we pray for our beloved university, may we be inspired and
united in heart and in soul to follow the living and pioneering example of Father
Theophile Verbist and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga in the care of the abandoned in our
midst.
As you restore our strength and dignity, give us the grace to help make Saint Louis
University a real home and a place of peace, hope, and love where we work together
for academic excellence and missionary spirit.
Through your Holy Spirit, guide us along the path to holiness, as we aspire to become
Christ’s image to one another in the realization of your Kingdom here on Earth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
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The CICM Philippine Province Educational Vision and Mission
Inspired by the historical commitment and dedication to provide a Catholic

education, the CICM Philippine Province espouses the following vision and mission for
its educational institutions.
It envisions an integral human formation of the youth who will become mature
Christians and active members of the Church. This integral human formation is
directed towards a Christian development of knowledge, skills and attitudes which is
geared towards service in Church and in society by witnessing to the values of God’s
reign.
In order to realize this vision, the schools are committed to instruction, to
research, and to community service. Such activities are oriented towards the
promotion of human dignity and happiness which leads to the development of the
total person who is able to take upon one’s responsibilities in the Church and in the
world.
Having a specific concept of person and of world as revealed in the Judaeo-
Christian tradition, the university promotes a special outlook on self, on others, on the
material world, and on God – such special outlook changes the goal of every human
activity and distinguishes the CICM educational institution from any other educational
system.
Having been founded by the CICM Institute, every CICM educational institution
lives up to its missionary identity. Each member of the school community is fully aware
of one’s responsibility to reach out to the marginalized and to discover with them the
impact of the Gospel on social reality, on justice, and on solidarity. Likewise, one is
conscious of one’s responsibility to reach out to separated brothers and sisters and to
establish trustworthy relations with them because there is only one Gospel, one Lord,
and one Father of all.
Inspired and compelled by the attitude of Jesus, the CICM educational
institution gives special attention to the oppressed, the disadvantaged, and the
handicapped (SLU Student Manual, 2015, pp.1-2).
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CFE 101
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, you should be
able to:
1. profess the presence of God the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in
the life stories in the bible;
2. recognize the presence of God in the
celebrations of the Church and in
GOD your personal lives;
JOURNEYS 3. practice the virtues of faith, hope,
and love in God as exemplified by the
WITH HIS Old Testament, New Testament, and
PEOPLE church leaders during difficult times in

your lives;
4. witness boldly the values of the
Kingdom of God as a way of
witnessing for Jesus;
5. develop a reflective and discerning
heart through a life of prayer; and
6. sustain your relationship with God
through active and zealous
participation in the liturgical and
sacramental celebrations of your
respective Churches.
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REF SEA-CFE 101-2021
COURSE GUIDE
I. Course Title: God Journeys with His People
II. Course Overview
A. Introduction
Dear Louisian:
Welcome to Saint Louis University and thank you for joining the Louisian Family!
As you start your journey in Saint Louis University, an excellent missionary and
transformative catholic educational institution, to become creative, competent, socially
involved, and to be imbued with the Christian Spirit, the Christian Faith Education
modules, designed both for Online Based Learning (OBL) and Correspondence Based
Learning (CBL) is made to accompany you religiously and spiritually. The design of the
CFE modules adopts and responds to the needs of and challenges brought about by the
new normal in the educational landscape with the hope that this new way of encounter
will lead you.
Like the other CFE subjects, this course follows the SEE - DISCERN - ACT method that
was introduced by Joseph Cardinal Cardijn in Europe and was popularized by Fr. Lode
Wostyn, CICM in the Philippines as a method in doing pastoral ministry. But this method is
renamed as CONTEXT - INSPIRED WORD OF GOD – CHURCH TEACHING – MISSIONARY
RESPONSE (C-I-C-M) in the Religious Education workbooks of CICM schools in the
Philippines. As such, the Context introduces you to a better knowledge of your present
situation as you are led to look at what is happening around you and reflect on your lived
experiences. The next phase involves a reading from the Sacred Scriptures that is relevant
to the topic under the Inspired Word part. This is followed by an exposition of a Church
Teaching or an excerpt of it that further explicates the scriptural reading in particular
and/or the lesson at hand in general under the Church Teaching component. The lesson
is fittingly ended or concluded in the Missionary Response part. Under this, you are
provided with an activity wherein you can apply the lesson in your actual life situation as
a way to evaluate your learning.
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To align the CFE method to the 5 E’s (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and
Evaluate) the method that is adopted by the whole University, let it be emphasized
though that the contextualized version of the See – Discern – Act Method as “Context –
Inspired Word – Church Teaching – Missionary Response” (CICM) still retains its essential
focus and orientation even if the Context part is now renamed “Engage”, while the
reading of both the Inspired Word and Church Teaching corresponds to “Explore” and
the discussion that ensues is equivalent to “Explain and Elaborate.” Finally, the Missionary
Response part is now presented as “Evaluate.”
The entire CFE curriculum helps and directs you to participate in the evangelizing
mission of the Church as you are always animated by the spirit of communion
concretized in your daily gestures of kindness, compassion and love.
May this learning material contribute to your spiritual and academic growth and
help you appreciate the relevance and power of God’s word in human existence.
Specifically, when you have completed the entire CFE 101, it is hoped that you
are able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of faith and its characteristics and
expressions;
2. express that the Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he
has called to himself;
3. discuss the different events and processes in the development and
formation of the Bible including the lenses and methods of interpreting it;
4. evaluate and analyze situations experienced and observed that depicts
God’s story incarnation to redemption;
5. develop a reflective and discerning heart as exemplified by the prophets;
6. develop a life of prayer in recognition of God’s goodness and guidance;
7. portray creatively your acts of gratitude, prayers and wisdom gained from
God as inspired by the wisdom books;
8. explain clearly the mystery of incarnation;
9. present a portrait of your encounter of Jesus and the kingdom of God
anchored on Jesus’ public ministry and Paschal Mystery;
10. imbibe a chosen Marian virtue and practice it while on formation to
eventually become their virtue of life;
11. design a program that concretizes the aspects of Jesus’ public ministry;
12. identify the elements of the Kingdom in the Church’s celebrations such as
feasts, solemnities and observing the liturgical calendar;
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13. recognize the divine presence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit in your lives
and in the celebrations of the Church;
14. participate actively in the events of your respective Church and Religion;
and,
15. exhibit your journey with the Triune God through a creative journal portfolio.
B. Module Topics
To ensure that you will demonstrate the course learning outcomes at the end of
this course, the course is divided into the following:
MODULE 1: Introduction to the Sacred Scripture

This chapter will help you understand the relevance of the Sacred Scripture and
will present basic information for you to appreciate the words of God in the words of
human beings. It serves as an introductory lesson that highlights the challenge of utilizing
the Bible as our guide for upright Christian living.
MODULE 2: God, the Father, journeys with His people in the Pentateuch, Prophets
(prophetic books) and Wisdom Writings
Module 2 will invite you to start with the journey together with God, the Father, as
experienced by the patriarchs and the prophets. This will also cover the different Wisdom
writings that will equip us for wise living.
MODULE 3: God, the Son, journeys with His people

Module 3 will invite you to continue with your journey together with God through
the Son. Encountering Jesus as the fullness of God’s revelation beginning from the
annunciation to resurrection. The role of Mary and John the Baptist as Jesus’ companions
in his journey will be presented.
MODULE 4: God, the Holy Spirit, journeys with His People

Module 4 is still a continuation of the journey together with God through the Holy
Spirit. The presence of God through the Holy Spirit matters in the experiences of the Early
Christian communities and to the Christian communities today.
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III. Course Study Guide

This module was prepared for you to work on diligently and
independently. Remember, this is meant for you to deepen your understanding of the
Bible. Some parts of the activities are challenging but with the help of your course
facilitator and your enthusiasm, you will be able to face it.
1. Manage your time well. Schedule properly your reading assignments and your
activity accomplishments. Have your planner or calendar of activities ready.
Remember you have other modules to accomplish for this term.
2. Focus your attention. Read the materials over and over until you are able to get
the point of the lesson. If you do not understand the lesson, you can read other
materials found in other resources like the internet or books. You can message me
through different platforms I will be giving you.
3. Give your best. In doing the assessment tasks whether formative or summative,
target the highest standards because you are a good student. You have the
knowledge and skills that you need to finish your work with quality.
4. Submit on time. Before the end of prelims, midterms, and finals, you will be
submitting the accomplished activities in the modules through correspondence.
You will need two (2) notebooks for your outputs:
a. A notebook for all your Religious Involvement activities.
b. A notebook for all your Missionary Response activities.
c. For your Prelim, Midterm, and Final examinations, answer in the pages
provided at the end of this learning packet. Cut the pages and include in
your submission.
5. Be patient. I will make sure to give you my feedback on your work to ensure that
you are on the right track. While waiting for my feedback, you can continue
working on the other activities. Make sure that you do not miss any important part
in the module.
6. Answer confidently. In answering the assessment and evaluation activities you are
expected to do the following:
a. Write neatly and legibly and write only on the module if you are sure of
your answers.
b. Make sure to give your answers completely and concisely. If questions
need to be answered in essay form, stick to the point. Give proof of your
claim or point-of-view. Cite correctly the references you use in your work.
7. Work independently. It is expected that you work on the module on your
own. You can ask for help from others but you must answer it on your own.
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8. Motivate yourself. Whatever knowledge or skill you are gaining from this course
will definitely help you in your career. Enjoy what you are doing and everything
else will follow.
9. Contact your Instructor. If in any part of the module or lesson, you need my help
and guidance, do not hesitate to contact your instructor through email,
messenger, or SMS. Remember, your instructor is here to ensure that you go
through the completion of the course together.
IV. Study Schedule
Week Topic Learning Outcomes Activities

A. GENERAL A. THE SACRED SCRIPTURE AS STORIES OF FAITH
INTRODUCTION
B. MODULE 1 B. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED SCRIPTURES

Week 1 1. Creation of Google Classroom for OBL
(August 16-20, and CBL students.
2021) 2. Contacting CBL students via email,
Facebook, or text messaging.
3. Posting and Reading of Preliminaries
Week 2 A. THE SACRED SCRIPTURE AS STORIES OF Context

(August 23-28, FAITH • Basic Human
2021) Experience
At the end of the lesson, you will be able
to: Inspired Word
1. see that faith is a basic factor of any
• The Parable of the
relationship, human and divine;
Mustard Seed
2. explain the meaning of faith according
(Matthew 13:31-32)
to Sacred Scripture and Church teachings;
and,
3. write a “Thank You” letter to the person
Church Teaching
who taught you about God and faith • CCC 143-44
telling him or her how you are doing the
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same to another person. Missionary Response

• Summative Assessment
Week 3 B. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED Context:

(August 31- SCRIPTURES
• Basic Human
September 4,
Experience
2021) At the end of the lesson, you will be able
to:
1. recognize the popular ideas of different
Inspired Word:
people about the Bible; • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. point out what the Bible says about itself
and what the church teaches about Bible; Church Teaching
and, • Dei Verbum and CFC
3. demonstrate the importance of the Bible 85
in your life as a son or daughter of God.
Missionary Response
MODULE 2 GOD, THE FATHER, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE IN THE PENTATEUCH,
PROPHETIC BOOKS, AND WISDOM WRITINGS
Week 4 Lesson 1: Torah Context:
(September 6- At the end of the lesson, you will be able • Basic Human
11, 2021) to: Experience
1. describe your relationship with God as
your Father; Inspired Word:
2. discuss the stories of how God journeyed
Abraham’s Call
with His chosen people-the Israelites; and
(Genesis 12:1-3) and
3. manifest acts of gratefulness for God’s
His Covenant with God
abiding presence as shown in the Israelite’s
(Genesis 15:1-18)
experience and how it is continuously felt
Moses’ Call (Exodus
by Christians today.
3:7-10) and The
Covenant at Mount
Sinai (Exodus 19:1-25)
Church Teaching
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• CFC 277-278
• Dei Verbum 14
Missionary Response
Summative Assessment
Week 5 & 6 Lesson 2: Nevi’im

(September At the end of the lesson, you will be able
Context:
13-18 and to: • Basic Human
September 20- 1. examine the different roles of the Experience
23, 2021) prophets in guiding the people of God,
and how they embodied God’s presence Inspired Word:
through their ministry; Jeremiah’s Call
2. explore the roles of the prophets in (Jeremiah 1:4-10) and
God’s plan for His people; and God’s Promise to Save
3. recognize that you are one of the His People (Jeremiah
present-day prophets who continue to 46:27-28)
speak and work on behalf of truth and Jonah’s Call and
justice. Disobedience (Jonah
1:1-16), and God’s
Message to Nineveh
(Jonah 3:1-10)
Church Teaching
• CFC 428, 437-439
• Dei Verbum 14
•
Missionary Response
Accomplish and submit missionary response, quiz, and religious activity reflection.
Week 7 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
(September 24
and 25, 27 to
30, 2021)
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Week 8 Lesson 3: Ketuvim Context:

(October 4 - 9, At the end of the lesson, you will be able • Basic Human
2021) to: Experience
1. describe God’s presence and
intervention in human life and affairs Inspired Word:
according to the Sacred Writings;
Job’s Piety (Job 1:1-5),
2. expound the themes of the Sacred
Response, and God’s
Writings by using certain church
Blessings (Job 42:1-3; 5-
documents as guide; and
17)
3. inspire others to remain steadfast and
No One Can
hopeful in their faith by drawing guidance
Determine the Right
from the Sacred Writings.
Time to Act
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-17)
Church Teaching
• CFC 441-449
Missionary Response
MODULE 3 GOD, THE SON, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE

Week 9 & 10 Lesson 1: Mary, the Mother of Jesus and a Context:
(October 11- Woman of Faith • Basic Human
16 and 18-23, At the end of this lesson, you will be able Experience
2021) to:
1. identify the qualities or attributes of your Inspired Word:
mother or anyone who has been a mother
• Annunciation (Luke
to you;
1:28-36)
2. draw insights from Mary’s act of total
acceptance of the angel’s message to be
the “Mother of Jesus” that can help you
Church Teaching
appreciate and accept different tasks • CCC 484-86, 488-494
given to you; and • CCC, 1171
3. come up with creative ways of
introducing Jesus to other people. Missionary Response
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Week 11 & 12 Lesson 2: John the Baptist: The Forerunner Context:

(October 25- of Jesus • Basic Human
30 and At the end of this lesson, you will be able Experience
November 3-4, to:
2021) 1. point out various elements needed Inspired Word:
when you prepare to welcome someone
• John the Baptist: John
important in your life;
1; 19-34
2. draw insights from John the Baptist’s act
of humility in identifying himself as
“forerunner of Jesus” to people; and
Church Teaching
3. identify concrete and specific ways on • CCC 523
how you could be an agent of Jesus’
presence to other people. Missionary Response
Weeks 13 MIDTERM EXAMINATION
(November 5
and 6; 8-11,
2021)
Week 14 & 15 Lesson 3: Jesus’ Event in His Public Ministry Context:
(November 15- Basic Human
20 and 22-27, At the end of this lesson, you will be able Experience
2021) to:
1. identify Jesus in the events of your Inspired Word:
everyday encounters;
• The Cure of a
2. draw insights from Jesus’ Public Ministry
Demoniac (Luke 4: 31-
especially from the healing and
37)
forgiveness He offers; and
• The Cure of Simon’s
3. show appreciation to the message of
Mother-in-Law (Luke
Jesus’ events by being able to relate its
4:38-39)
relevance into your lives.
• Jesus speaks of his
purpose to proclaim
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the Kingdom of God.

(Luke 4:42-44)
Church Teaching
CFC 481-82, 488-89
Missionary Response
MODULE 4 GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE
Weeks 16 Lesson 1: The Early Christian Community Context:
(November 29 • Basic Human
– December 4, At the end of this lesson, you will be able Experiences
2021) to:
1. identify the historical beginnings of the Inspired Word:
Pentecostal movements in the Philippines
• The Pentecost Event
and their influence in Christian life today;
(Acts 2: 1-13)
2. draw relevant insights from the Scripture
and Church Teachings of the Spirit’s role in
the Church and Christian life; and
Church Teaching
3. express appreciation of the practical • Lumen Gentium 12
•
examples of the Spirit’s activity in your local CCC 2003,
church today. • CFC 1315, and
• PCP II 214,
Missionary Response
Weeks 17 Lesson 2: The Christian Communities Today Context:

(December 6 –
• Basic Human
11, 2021) At the end of this lesson, you will be able
Experiences
to:
1. explain the importance of prayer in your
Inspired Word:
Christian life;
• John 17: 1-26
2. demonstrate prayer life attitude in your
life; and
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3. draw familiarity with the diverse cultures Church Teaching

and religions of the people in your • Vatican II
particular community. • PCP II 8-33, 172-174
• Pontifical Council for
Culture 28
Missionary Response
Weeks 18 & 19 FINAL EXAMINATION
(December
15-18 and 20-
21, 2021)
V. Evaluation
A. Formative Assessment
• All the activities to be given in the Context, Inspired Word, and Church
Teaching will fall under Formative Assessment.
• It would be best to accomplish these activities though you are neither required
to write nor turn them in to maximize our learning.
• These activities monitor and guide you while our lesson in every module is still in
progress.
• There are no grades for these activities, but they are very significant because
they will guide you to understand our discussions and prepare you to
participate. They will also lead you to reflect and become critical in arriving at
insights that will help you maximize your learnings in every module.
B. Summative Assessment
• All the activities found in the Missionary Response will fall under Summative
Assessment to determine the outcomes of your efforts in going through the
Context, Inspired Word, and Church teaching.
• These activities can come in different forms like reflection papers, essays,
artwork, projects, and other concrete actions that you should be doing as a
Louisian to put into good works your faith.
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• You must approach the Missionary Response personally since the activities
falling under this part are meant to see how you incarnate in your thoughts,
words, and actions what you have understood from every module.
• These Missionary Response activities, being summative assessment in nature,
are graded because they serve as concrete indicators of what you have
learned in every module.
• Your quizzes and examinations also fall under Summative Assessment like your
Missionary Response Activities, so you must accomplish and turn them in on
time.
Religious Involvement
Saint Louis University, being a Catholic University, fosters not just academic
excellence, creativity and social involvement, but also a profound understanding and
practice of the Christian faith among its students. The University aims to inculcate in you
the Christian values which you are supposed to practice in your daily life and which you
also celebrate. So, your Christian Faith Education (CFE) program has included a weekly
Religious involvement as one of the requirements
For non-Catholics, you must attend the weekly religious rituals and celebrations of
your Church/religion. This is where you draw out your weekly Religious involvement
submissions. But you are also invited to attend the Catholic celebrations at the Saint
Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, either in person or virtually. This is not an attempt to convert you
into the Catholic religion but for you to experience the Catholic celebrations and hope
that in the experience, you gain an understanding of how the Catholic celebrations are
done, which may also lead to a certain level of acceptance and respect to religious
diversity.
There are also scheduled departmental sponsored masses once a month at the
St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish. You are supposed to attend these following your school
schedules. The monthly schedules are as follows:
SCHEDULE SCHOOL VENUE

Saint Aloysius
August 12,2021 SOM, SON, SNS, SAS, SAMCIS
Gonzaga
(Thursday)
Parish Church
Saint Aloysius
August 19,2021 SEA, SOL, STELA
Gonzaga
(Thursday)
Parish Church
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September 9, Saint Aloysius

SOM, SON, SNS, SAS, SAMCIS
2021 Gonzaga
(Thursday) Parish Church
September 16, Saint Aloysius
SEA, SOL, STELA
2021 Gonzaga
October 14, Saint Aloysius
2021 Gonzaga
October 21, Saint Aloysius
SEA, SOL, STELA
2021 Gonzaga
November 11, Saint Aloysius
2021 Gonzaga
November 18, Saint Aloysius
SEA, SOL, STELA
2021 Gonzaga
December 9, Saint Aloysius
2021 Gonzaga
December 16, Saint Aloysius
SEA, SOL, STELA
2021 Gonzaga
WEEKLY AND SUNDAY REFLECTIONS
Week 1: AUGUST 22
Supply the following information:
a. Type of Religious activity (e.g. Sunday Mass, Bible Study)
b. Date and time (e.g August 29, 2021 at 9:00 am)
c. Means of Participation: (Actual or Virtual?)
d. Where or which platform? (e.g: St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, Facebook
Livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in and
write a short reflection about your experience.
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Week 2: AUGUST 29
Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in and supply the
following information:
livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: What struck you most in your Sunday experience? Write a short reflection
about it.
Week 3: SEPTEMBER 5
livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: Write a short reflection about your Sunday worship.
Week 4: SEPTEMBER 12
Livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in. Write
a WORD or PHRASE that best describes your experience of the religious activity and give
a brief explanation.
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Livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in. Find
an IMAGE (drawn from the internet or personally taken) that best shows this experience.
Attach the image and provide a brief worded-reflection.
Livestream, etc).
Week 7: OCTOBER 3
Livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in.
Choose a COLOR which you think best represents this experience. Provide a brief
explanation of your color choice.
Week 8: OCTOBER 10
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Livestream, etc).
Week 9: OCTOBER 17
Livestream, etc).
Create a SKETCH or an IMAGE that best displays this experience. Attach the
sketch/image and provide a brief worded-reflection to enflesh your work.
Week 10: OCTOBER 24

Livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in. Write
a HOUSEHOLD THING that you think can best represent this experience and provide a
short explanation of your answer.
Week 11: OCTOBER 31

Livestream, etc).
REFLECTION: Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in. Pick
a NATURAL PHENOMENON which you think best symbolizes your experience and
explain.
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Week 12: NOVEMBER 7

Livestream, etc).
Select a GAME or SPORT which you think best embody your experience and explain
your answer.
Week 13: NOVEMBER 14

Reflect on your experience of the religious activity you participated in during the week
and supply the following information:
Livestream, etc).

Livestream, etc).
Select a FOOD or BEVERAGE which you think best characterizes your experience and
tell why.

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Livestream, etc).
Week 16: DECEMBER 5

Livestream, etc).
Give a NUMBER which you think best symbolizes your experience and explain.
Week 17: DECEMBER 12

Livestream, etc).
Week 18: DECEMBER 19

Livestream, etc).
Choose a NATURAL LANDSCAPE which you think embodies your experience and
expound.
Grading System
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Prelim Grade (PG)

Class Standing (missionary response activities) = 50%
Religious Involvement = 30%
Examination = 20%
Total = 100%
Midterm Grade (MG)

Class Standing (missionary response activities) = 50 %
Examination = 20%
Total =100%
Tentative Final Grade (TFG)

Class Standing (missionary response activities and final requirement) = 50%
Examination = 20%
Total = 100%
Final Grade = (PG 33.33% + MG 33.33%+ TFG 33.33%) = 100%
VI. Technological Tools

Included is this learning packet is a USB stick with the soft copies of all the materials
needed for you to accomplish your modules. You will therefore need a computer to
access these materials.
VII. Contact Information

You will receive from your course facilitator an invitation to join your google
classroom. Your facilitator may also follow this up through text, messenger or email. If you
do not receive any communication from your course facilitator after five (5) days from
receiving this learning packet, you may contact the following offices:
DEAN’S OFFICE
School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts
Saint Louis University
2600 Baguio City
Landline: 074 442 2001 Local 220 / Smart: 0938 757 7842 / Globe: 0953 134 9220
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MRS. WENDY B. EUSTAQUIO

Head - Department of Religion
School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts
Saint Louis University
#1 Bonifacio Street
2600 Baguio City
CP No.: Globe: 09060790746/ Smart: 09703476143
Email Address: [email protected]
Note: For the submission of your requirements, please send through the offices above.
Make sure you label your submissions properly indicating the following information:
Name of Student: Juan Dela Cruz

Course and year: BS Psych 1
Name of Instructor: Mr. Brandon Cadingpal
Course Number and Course Code: CFE 101, 0509
For online submissions, send your answer sheets (Missionary Responses, Religious
Involvement, Final Requirement, and Examinations) via email to the Head of the
Department of Religion.
Prepared by:
Religion Department
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ASSIGNMENT GUIDE
COURSE REQUIREMENT in CFE 101:

“My CFE 101 Creative Journey”
I. Expected Output:
At the end of the Semester/Short Term, you are required to submit a creative
journal portfolio. This will include an introduction, a synthesis, a creative presentation, and
a conclusion of all your learning experiences from the course CFE 101. This final output is
non-negotiable; thus, make sure to submit one.
II. Rationale:
This course requirement is an assessment of what you have learned as exemplified
by your creativity as well as your critical and reflective thinking skills. The portfolio
summarizes your journey with God as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As a Louisian,
you are expected to become a living witness of the Christian faith by pondering through
all the lessons taken during this course and drawing insights from the wise. Also, by sharing
your experiences, learnings, and ideas you are contributing to the formation and
transformation of the Christian community as a whole.
III. Parts and Sequence of the Portfolio:

A. Cover/ Title Page (be creative)
B. Introduction
This includes the following:
a. A brief introduction about yourself.
b. A brief summary of your learnings per lesson.
Follow this sequence:
1. General Introduction: The Sacred Scripture as Stories of Faith
2. Module 1: Introduction to the Sacred Scripture
3. Module 2, Lesson 1: Torah
4. Module 2, Lesson 2: Nevi’im
5. Module 2, Lesson 3: Ketuvim
6. Module 3, Lesson 1: Mary, the Mother of Jesus and a Woman of Faith
7. Module 3, Lesson 2: John the Baptist, The Forerunner of Jesus
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8. Module 3, Lesson 3: Jesus’ Event in His Public Ministry

9. Module 4, Lesson 1: The Early Christian Community
10. Module 4, Lesson 2: The Christian Community Today
Note: In summarizing, this will allow you to express your experiences and learnings
as you journey with God through this course.
C. Content:
Instruction: Be creative in the presentation of your experiences, reflections and
realizations. Being creative refers to the use of a digital or hand-drawn artwork or a poem
or a song, and the like. You are therefore expected to place/attach four (4) creative
outputs each assigned to capture the four (4) modules of this course. Place a brief
discussion about the meaning of each creative output.
The following are questions for your guide:
a. In what ways did God journey with you through this course?
b. As you journeyed with Him, how can you express this journey through a creative
form?
c. Does this creative form portray your experiences, reflections, and realizations from
this journey?
D. Conclusion:
Instruction: State and briefly express the relevance of CFE 101 in your day-to-day life
and on faith.
IV. Specific Guidelines:

1. The written part of your portfolio like the introduction and the conclusion can be
encoded or handwritten in a short bond paper or separate notebook.
2. Be artistic in making your project.
3. Be mindful that this is a non-negotiable requirement. Failure to submit an output
will subject you to an incomplete (INC) mark.
4. Be guided by the rubric below.
V. Evaluation Tool:
Rubric for the Portfolio
Page 27 of 136
Points Concepts Reflection Overall

Presentation
(Presence of required (Evidence of Effort)
information or (Quality of
reflection) Work)
36-40 All information and/or Reflections are Honest,

reflections are insightful and probe for creative,
present, greater understanding. perceptive,
and demonstrates a and clever
detailed response. observations
from personal
experience.
31-35 All information and/or Significant statements Evidence of

reflections are were made with some thought.
present. emerging
understanding.
26-30 Information and/or Reflections are made Responses or

reflections are with minimal reflections
complete but brief. understanding. acceptable,
but reveal
little.
21-25 Information and/or The reflections do not Reflections

reflections are connect to the task or are vague
missing. requirement presented. and confusing
0 No work submitted
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Table of Contents
University Prayer .............................................................................................................................2
The CICM Philippine Province Educational Vision and Mission ...............................................3
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................4
COURSE GUIDE ...............................................................................................................................5
I. Course Title: God Journeys with His People........................................................................ 5
II. Course Overview ................................................................................................................... 5
A. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 5
B. Module Topics ................................................................................................................... 7
III. Course Study Guide ............................................................................................................. 8
IV. Study Schedule .................................................................................................................... 9
V. Evaluation ............................................................................................................................ 15
A. Formative Assessment .................................................................................................... 15
B. Summative Assessment .................................................................................................. 15
Religious Involvement ......................................................................................................... 16
Grading System ................................................................................................................... 22
VI. Technological Tools ........................................................................................................... 23
VII. Contact Information ........................................................................................................ 23
ASSIGNMENT GUIDE .................................................................................................................... 25
COURSE REQUIREMENT in CFE 101: ....................................................................................... 25
GENERAL INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 31
THE SACRED SCRIPTURE AS STORIES OF FAITH .......................................................................... 31
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 31
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 32
CHURCH TEACHING ................................................................................................................ 33
MISSIONARY RESPONSE .......................................................................................................... 37
MODULE 1..................................................................................................................................... 40
INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED SCRIPTURE ............................................................................. 40
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 40
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 41
CHURCH TEACHING ................................................................................................................ 42
MODULE 2..................................................................................................................................... 51
GOD, THE FATHER, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE ....................................................................... 51
Lesson 1 ........................................................................................................................................ 51
God, the Father, Journeys with His People in the Pentateuch (Torah) ............................... 51
Page 29 of 136
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 51
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 52
CHURCH TEACHING ................................................................................................................ 56
Lesson 2 ........................................................................................................................................ 61
God, the Father, Journeys with His People in the Prophetic Books (Nevi'im) .................... 61
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 61
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 62
CHURCH TEACHING ................................................................................................................ 65
Lesson 3 ........................................................................................................................................ 71
God, the Father, Journeys with His People in the Sacred Writings (Ketuvim) .................... 71
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 71
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 72
CHURCH TEACHING ................................................................................................................ 75
MODULE 3..................................................................................................................................... 80
GOD, THE SON, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE ........................................................................... 80
Lesson 1 ........................................................................................................................................ 80
MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS AND A WOMAN OF FAITH ...................................................... 80
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 80
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 81
CHURCH TEACHING ................................................................................................................ 82
Lesson 2 ........................................................................................................................................ 88
JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE FORERUNNER OF JESUS ...................................................................... 88
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 88
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 89
CHURCH TEACHING ................................................................................................................ 90
Lesson 3 ........................................................................................................................................ 94
JESUS’ EVENTS: IN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY .................................................................................... 94
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................... 94
INSPIRED WORD ....................................................................................................................... 95
CHURCH TEACHING .............................................................................................................. 103
MISSIONARY RESPONSE ........................................................................................................ 107
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MODULE 4................................................................................................................................... 110

GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE ............................................................. 110
Lesson 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 110
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE IN THE EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
..................................................................................................................................................... 110
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................. 110
INSPIRED WORD ..................................................................................................................... 111
CHURCH TEACHING .............................................................................................................. 113
Lesson 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 120
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES TODAY
..................................................................................................................................................... 120
CONTEXT................................................................................................................................. 120
INSPIRED WORD ..................................................................................................................... 121
CHURCH TEACHING .............................................................................................................. 123
Page 31 of 136
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
THE SACRED SCRIPTURE AS STORIES OF FAITH
Faith is a significant factor in every human life because you need to believe in
something or someone to make your life meaningful and manageable. Faith is both a
human and religious phenomenon. This lesson introduces you to the religious perspective
of faith, with emphasis to its characteristics and expressions.
At the end of the General Introduction, you must have:

___ Read and reflected on the Parable of the Mustard Seed
___ Accomplished and submitted Missionary Response and Creative Journal
Portfolio (General Introduction)
TEACHING LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. recognize that faith is a basic factor in any relationship, human and divine;
2. explain the meaning of faith according to the Sacred Scripture and Church
teachings; and,
3. show your gratitude to people who introduced you to God and helped you
grow in your faith.
CONTEXT
The Drowning Man and God’s Messages of Hope
While out to sea, a large boat became shipwrecked and there was only a single
survivor. This man prayed and asked God to save his life. Soon thereafter, another boat
came by and offered the man some help.
“No thanks,” he said. “I’m waiting for God to save me.”
The men on the boat shrugged their shoulders and continued. As the man
became more deeply concerned, another boat came by. Again, the people aboard
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offered this man some help, and again he politely declined. “I’m waiting for God to save
me,” he said again.
After some time, the man began to lose his faith, and soon after that he died.
Upon reaching Heaven, he had a chance to speak with God briefly.
“Why did you let me die? Why didn’t you answer my prayers?”
“Dummy, I sent you two boats!” (The Drowning Man and God’s Messages of Hope
– A Short Spiritual Story. n.d.)
Anonymous
This story is actually more profound than you may realize. Aside from teaching you
to recognize the answers to your prayers in the things around you and have, it also
teaches you what it means to profess faith in God and what it requires from you.
Understanding what faith is and embracing the corresponding responsibilities it entails will
help and guide you in living your vocation as a son or a daughter of God.
INSPIRED WORD
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things
not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
Hebrews 11:1 talks about faith but it must be read in the context of the rest of this
llll
letter. It is assumed that the Letter to the Hebrews is directed to Jewish Christians who
were in danger of apostasy not only because of the threat of persecutions from non-
Christians but also from their growing indifference to their calling as disciples of Jesus
Christ (The New American Bible, p. 1376). The author proceeds by encouraging his
addressees to be steadfast and persevering in their faith by recalling the striking life of
prominent Old Testament figures who trusted in God (11:1-40), and the example shown
by Jesus (12:1-3) as the obedient Son of God. As a way of ending his exhortation, the
author said “We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who
have faith and will possess life” 10:39.
The author of Hebrews, in talking faith in 11:1, does not attempt to provide a
precise definition.
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There is dispute about the meaning of the Greek words hypostasis and elenchos,
here translated realization and evidence, respectively. Hypostasis usually means
“substance,” “being” (as translated in Heb 1:3), or “reality” (as translated in Heb 3:14); here
it connotes something more subjective, and so realization has been chosen rather than
“assurance”. Elenchos, usually “proof,” is used here in an objective sense and so translated
evidence rather than the transferred sense of “(inner) conviction” (United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops. (n.d.).
In other words, faith gives you evidence of what is hoped for, that is - invisible. True,
godly faith is understood as trust, relying on God when looking to the future, and obeying
even when you don't fully understand all the details. This type of faith is exemplified by
Abraham, Moses, and David in the Old Testament among others.
CHURCH TEACHING
“Faith is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and through
him, with the Father, through the Holy Spirit, a decision to commit oneself to Christ, follow
him, strive to know and accept the truths he continues to teach through his Church” (Cf.
PCP II 64-65).
What makes Christian faith unique from any other form of it is the truth that it is
about “someone who relates to us and to whom we can relate in a personal way” (Knox,
2011, p. 17). Christian faith is focused on the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.
Thus, Christian faith consists in knowing, loving and following Christ in the Church he
founded (see PCP II 36). Personally knowing Christ as your truth and living your life
according to his teachings form the basic structure of Christian living. Christian faith has
the following characteristics according to the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines
(PCP II).
A. Characteristics of Christian Faith

1. Total and Absolute
Only Faith in God calls for a total and absolute adherence (cf. CCC 150). Christ
himself provides, especially in his Passion, Death and Resurrection, the best example of this
total and absolute commitment to God (PCP II 123).
This feature of the Christian faith is patterned after Jesus’ complete trust and
surrender to the will of the Father which He ultimately demonstrated in His death on the
cross. Today, you are likewise invited by Jesus to show the same faith in God when He
said “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and
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follow me” (Mk. 16:24). So radical this demand that St. Paul summons you to offer your life
as a “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Rom. 12:1) as a testament of your total
and absolute faith in God.
2. Trinitarian
For us Christians, Faith is our adherence to the Triune God revealed through Jesus
Christ our Lord. It is our friendship with Christ and through Christ with the Father, in their Holy
Spirit. Through Christ’s witness to his Father in his teaching, preaching, miracles, and
especially in his Passion, Death and Resurrection, we come to believe in Christ our Savior,
in the Father, and in the Holy Spirit sent into our hearts. Our Faith as Catholics, then, consists
in our personal conviction and belief in God our Father, revealed by Jesus Christ, His own
divine Son-made-man, and their presence to us through the Holy Spirit, in the Church (cf.
PCP II 64; CCC 151-52) (PCP II 124).
When you pray and say “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit”, you are actually expressing the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, that God
reveals himself in Three Persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This belief in the triune
God is a unique characteristic of the Christian faith. Difficult it is to comprehend, St. Patrick
famously used the shamrock, a three-leaf clover, to describe this “mystery.” A shamrock
has three lobes that are unique from each other but all part of the same clover. They are
three leaves, but one leaf (Explaining the Holy Trinity. n.d). So, the persons of the Trinity
are unique from each other, but still they are one.
3. Loving, Maturing and Missionary:

Our Christian Faith is truly life-giving and mature only through love, for “the man
without love has known nothing of God, for God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). And to be Christian, this
love must be inseparably love of God and love of neighbor, like Christ’s. It thus impels us
to mission, to evangelize, by bringing others the Good News (cf. 1 Cor 9:16). Such a
missionary spirit is the test of authentic Faith because it is unthinkable that a person should
believe in Christ’s Word and Kingdom without bearing witness and proclaiming it in his turn
(cf. EN 24; PCP II 67-71, 402). This means we are all called to share in Christ’s own three-fold
mission as priest, prophet and king (cf. PCP II 116-21; LG 10-13) (125).
Christian faith is not stagnant but dynamic. Its dynamism is manifested in growing
knowledge and love of Christ and in imitation of his example of selfless service to others.
So, as a Christian, you reveal this nature of your faith by loving God by loving others. It is
the very depth of God’s character to love, and as a believer, your character must reflect
God’s character.
4. Informed and Communitarian:
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PCP II insists that Catholic Faith must be “informed,” that is “believing Jesus’ words,
and accepting his teachings, trusting that he has “the words of eternal life” (cf. Jn 6:68;
NCDP 147). It must be “communitarian” since it is the Church that transmits to us Christ’s
revelation through Sacred Scripture and its living Tradition, and alone makes possible for
us an adequate faith-response (cf. PCP II 65) (126).
The dynamic nature of faith requires you to increase your knowledge and love for
Jesus. According to St. Anselm, “faith seeks understanding.” What is meant by this dictum
is not to replace faith with understanding but “an active love of God seeking a deeper
knowledge of God” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. n.d). But having a deeper
knowledge of God takes place within the Christian community, the Church.
5. Inculturated:
This Catholic faith in God and in Jesus Christ is never separated from the typical
Filipino faith in family and friends. On the one hand, we live out our faith in God precisely
in our daily relationships with family, friends, fellow workers, etc. On the other hand, each
of these is radically affected by our Catholic Faith in God our Father, in Jesus Christ His only
begotten Son, our Savior, and in their Holy Spirit dwelling within us in grace. “This is how all
will know you for my disciples: your love for one another” (Jn 13:35; cf. PCP II 72-73, 162,
202-11) (PCP II 127).
The practice of your faith is manifested in the affairs of your daily life especially in
your relationships. It takes into consideration the environment where you are living.
B. The Three Essential Dimensions of Faith:

Faith in God is expressed in your life in various ways. These expressions of faith can
help you develop your relationship with Him. They cover every aspect of your life for they
involve your mind (believing), will (doing), and heart (trusting).
1. Believing:
Faith involves our basic convictions as Christians. “For if you confess with your lips
that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead; you will be
saved” (Rom 10:9). John sums up his Gospel with: “These things have been recorded to
help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you
may have life in his name” (Jn 20: 31). Faith, then, is knowing, but not mere “head
knowledge” of some abstract truths. It is like the deep knowledge we have of our parents,
or of anyone we love dearly. Christian Faith, then, is personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as
“my Lord and my God” (Jn 20:28) (PCP II 129).
Believing is an important aspect of faith, though the latter cannot be equated

with the former as it is popularly understood. Faith is expressed in the act of believing.
Page 36 of 136
Because of faith, you believe in God’s revelation that reached its climax in the person
and mission of Jesus. Your faith in God is interpreted and articulated more clearly by a
series of beliefs.
That Christianity makes certain historical, moral and cognitive claims and proposes
them to people as a way of making meaning in their lives is beyond doubt. The activity
of Christian faith, therefore, requires, in part, a firm conviction about the truths proposed
as essential beliefs of the Christian faith (Groome, 1991, p. 57).
2. Doing:
Another significant expression of faith is doing. It means that you have to work and
cooperate with God in an active manner. You just have to look at the life of Jesus and
see his teaching about how you should live in accordance with the values of the kingdom
of God. To be active in your faith, therefore, means to actively love one another
manifested in our work to help establish the Kingdom of God as a kingdom of justice,
peace, and love. According to PCP II 130,
But besides believing, faith is also doing. As St. James writes: “My brothers, what
good is it to profess faith without practicing it?” (Jas 2:14). Christ himself taught: “None of
those who cry out ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of God, but only the one who does
the will of my Father in heaven” (Mt 7:21). Faith, then, is a commitment to follow (obey)
God’s will for us. This we see exemplified in Mary’s “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be
done to me as you say” (Lk 1:38). PCP II brings out this “doing” dimension of faith as
“witnessing” through “loving service” of our needy neighbors. In our concrete situation,
particularly urgent is the call for: 1) deeds of justice and love; and 2) for protecting and
caring for our endangered earth’s environment (cf. PCP II 78-80).
3. Entrusting/Worshipping:
Beyond believing and doing, faith is also entrusting oneself into God’s hands.
Abraham, our father in faith, at God’s command left everything to set out for a foreign
land. Against all human odds Moses trusted Yahweh to free the Hebrews from their slavery
in Egypt. In the New Testament, Jesus worked signs and cures only with those who trusted
in him. He promised the possessed boy’s father: “Everything is possible to a man who trusts”
(Mk 9:23) (PCP II 132).
Faith is derived from the Latin “fidere”, meaning “to trust.” Trust is the basis of all
faith. Trusting is an intrinsic part of believing. You believe God, for you trust that God will
not deceive you; He loves you, is faithful to you, and will look after you. It is your trusting
faith that leads you to pray from the heart, seeking to cement your relationship with God.
Furthermore, you must begin to look at any experience of human trust as an experience
of trusting God. You have to learn to see God as an integral part of every facet of your
life. To trust is an essential aspect of love; loving and trusting must go together.
Page 37 of 136
It needs to be emphasized, however, that ultimately faith is a grace of God. As

such, it is God himself who enables you to believe in Him and all that He revealed (CCC
184). With His grace, you come into contact with the ever-present God and enter into a
personal relationship with Him. Because of your faith in God, you have the courage to
commit into action the values Jesus has taught. Finally, because of your faith in Him, you
trust God wholeheartedly because He is good. So, you believe and trust in God, and do
His will not because you are capable because of your natural ability but because of His
grace.
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
Write a “Thank You Letter to a person” who has taught you about God and faith
telling him or her how you are doing the same to another person.
Rubric:
Criteria Above Expectations Meets Expectations Hardly Meets

Expectations
Reflective The output The output The output
Thinking expresses an expresses an expresses a poor
excellent level of average level of level of awareness
awareness and awareness and and understanding
understanding of understanding of of the topic. It also
the topic. It also the topic. It also shows inadequate
shows proficient shows common consideration of the
considerations of consideration of the meanings and
the meanings and meanings and messages found in
messages found in messages found in the activity.
the activity. the activity. (3 points)
(7 points) (5 points)
Making The output includes The output includes The output includes
Connections outstanding thought common thought of poor thought of the
of the larger the larger context. larger context. The
context. The student The student is also student is not able
is also able to able to create to create suitable
create suitable and significant and and significant
Page 38 of 136
significant weak connections connections

connections between the between the
between the activity and his/her activity and his/her
activity and his/her actual experiences, actual experiences,
actual experiences, and the and the
and the experiences of the experiences of the
experiences of the larger community larger community
larger community around him/her. around him/her.
around him/her. (5 points) (3 points)
(7 points)
Reflective Action The output clearly The output clearly The output does not
draws implications draws implications stipulate clear
of certain of certain implications of
experiences or experiences or certain experiences
actions by providing actions. But it or actions by
clear and concrete provides examples providing clear and
examples which which does not concrete examples
indicate/encourage clearly which
active indicate/encourage indicate/encourage
engagements in active active
and out of the engagements in engagements in
classroom setting. and out of the and out of the
(6 points) classroom setting. classroom setting.
Page 39 of 136
References
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. (2004). Acts and Decrees of the Second
Plenary Council of the Philippines. Paulines Publishing House.
Evangelii Nuntiandi (December 8, 1975) | Paul VI. (n.d.). Vatican.

https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-
vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19751208_evangelii-
nuntiandi.html
Explaining the Holy Trinity. (n.d). Retrieved July 14, 2021 from
https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2015/05/explaining-the-holy-trinity/.
Knox, I. (2011). Theology for Teachers. Quezon City, Philippines. Claretian Publications.
Second Vatican Council. "Dogmatic constitution on divine revelation: Dei verbum."

Solemnly promulgated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965.
Retrieved March 28, 1021.
https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat
-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html.
The Drowning Man and God’s Messages of Hope – A Short Spiritual Story. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 25, 2021, from https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/the-drowning-
man-and-gods-messages-of-hope-a-short-spiritual-story/.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. n.d. St. Anselm. Retrieved July 1, 2021 from
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/anselm/.
Thomas, G. (1980). Christian Religious Education. San Francisco. Harper San Francisco.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (n.d.). Hebrews. Retrieved March 28,
2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/11.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (1995). Catechism of the Catholic

Church. New York, USA. Doubleday.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2011). Holy Bible: New American Bible
Revised Edition. Washington D.C., USA. Saint Benedict Press. LLC.
Page 40 of 136
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED SCRIPTURE
It is the responsibility of every Christian to make reading the Bible part of their daily
prayer lives. Reading these inspired words, you grow deeper in your relationship with God
and come to understand your place in the community God has called you to in himself.
This lesson on the Bible emerges you to what it is – the Bible is the story of God's relationship
with the people he has called to himself
At the end of Module 1, you must have:

___ Reflected on the given biblical verse and answer the questions
Portfolio (Module 1)
TOPIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. recognize the popular ideas of different people about the Bible;
2. point out what the Bible says about itself and what the church teaches about
Bible; and,
3. demonstrate the importance of the Bible in your life as a son or daughter of
God.
CONTEXT
Compose an acrostic poem that shows what you think the bible is all about.
Page 41 of 136
B ______________________________________
I ______________________________________
B ______________________________________
L ______________________________________
E ______________________________________ The Washington Post, (n.d.). [Why it matters

if your bible was translated by racially
diverse group]. Retrieved July 14, 2021, from
This activity shows that different people think https://encrypted-
tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTS
of the Bible differently. Etymologically, the word OwkJmcwXxVB_JrH5QjhJYcnWWVjY1RqwD
g&usqp=CAU
“bible” is derived from the Latin term “biblia,” a
singular word that is in turn derived from the Greek
word “ta biblia,” which means “books.” The Greek word “biblion” which means “book”
or “roll” is rooted in the word “Byblos.” Because they were made of papyrus, collections
of written materials were called “biblia” by the Greeks. Eventually, the plural form “biblia”
was used by Latin-speaking Christians to denote all the books of the Old and New
Testaments. But more than just a collection of books, for Catholics and, in fact, for most
Christians, the Bible is God’ revelation, meaning God’s word in written form.
INSPIRED WORD
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for
refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one
who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good
work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
St. Paul’s letter to Timothy contains an exhortation to hold firm to the biblical word
of God precisely because it comes from God, even though written by human authors. It
is God who moved the human authors to commit to writing what God wanted them to
write. Indeed, from the dawn of the Christian religion, the followers of Christ have
considered the Bible a special communication of God, in which the prophets of the Old
Testament and Jesus of Nazareth in the New, revealed to the chosen people the secrets
of divine wisdom and the means of salvation for mankind. The Christian Scriptures are not
Page 42 of 136
just an important piece of religious writing; they also provide basic guidelines of moral
conduct.
CHURCH TEACHING
Those divinely revealed realities which are contained and presented in Sacred
Scripture have been committed to writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For holy
mother Church, relying on the belief of the Apostles (see John 20:31; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter
1:19-20, 3:15-16), holds that the books of both the Old and New Testaments in their
entirety, with all their parts, are sacred and canonical because written under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author and have been handed on as
such to the Church herself.(1) In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while
employed by Him (2) they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him acting
in them and through them, (3) they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and
only those things which He wanted (Dei Verbum 11).
A. Inspiration and Inerrancy of Sacred

Scripture
Sacred Scripture is inspired and inerrant.

The notion of biblical inspiration is derived from a
word which means “breathed in” – meaning,
God himself guided the human authors who
wrote the books of the Bible whose intellects were
enlightened directly by the action of Holy Spirit to
write what God wanted them to write without,
Macgrath, James, (n.d.). [The Bible’s Authors
however, impairing their freedom (Hahn, 2004, p.
Were Inspired by God]. Retrieved July 14, 2021, 7). This uniqueness of the books of the Bible makes
from https://wp-
media.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/ God the principal author of scripture, and the
files/2012/09/Paul-prison2-300x224.jpg human authors also as real authors because they
acted as free and intelligent instruments of the
Holy Spirit.
The necessary implication of biblical inspiration is that the Bible contains no error;
it has God as its primary author. Literally, “inerrant” means does not err. So this means,
according to Hahn (2004), that “Scripture teaches truth, never error” (p. 7). But what is
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that truth that the Bible teaches? “The Bible, according to Knox (2011), is free from error
in those religious affirmations that are made for the sake of our salvation” (p. 86).
This understanding of biblical inerrancy does not, however, make the Bible free from
scientific, historical and factual errors and contradictions because its content and
purpose is not to provide a scientific explanation of phenomena nor an accurate
historical reporting of events.
B. Canon of Sacred Scripture
The books of the Bible are often referred to as canonical books. Canon is the
Greek for “rule” or “norm.” The canonical books form the rule, or norm, of faith for they
are recognized and accepted as inspired by God. In addition, the word “canon” also
came to mean “list.” The canon is the list of books, both the Old Testament and New
Testament, that the church recognizes as inspired necessary to your faith. So, the inclusion
of a book in the canon means that it was divinely inspired.
Two Versions of the Scriptures:
1. Alexandrian Canon or Septuagint:
Around 250 B.C.E., the original Hebrew of the Old Testament was
translated into Greek (the most commonly used language of the time) in
Alexandria, Egypt by seventy (70) scholars (hence, the name “Septuagint”). In
making their translation, the scholars added other well-known books that were
not originally written in Hebrew but in Greek, or Aramaic. The Catholic Church
accepted all the books of the Septuagint as canonical that constitute the Old
Testament (Knox, 2011, pp. 93 – 94). It has a total of forty-six (46) books.
2. Palestinian Canon
After the sacking of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple by the
Romans in 70 C.E., some Pharisees gathered at Jamnia (modern Jabneh, south
of Tel Aviv) to draw up a canon of Scripture that contained only those books
originally written in Hebrew. This canon excluded books that were written in
Greek or Aramaic. It has thirty-nine (39) books. This is still the canon accepted
by Jews today. When the Protestants in the 16th century started making
translations from the original Hebrew, they used the Palestinian canon (Knox,
2011, p. 94).
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These seven (7) books that make up the difference between the
Alexandrian Canon and Palestinian Canon are referred to as
deuterocanonical — ”second canon”—to show that they are not accepted in
the Jewish canon. (1 and 2 Maccabees, Judith, Tobit, Baruch, Sirach, and
Wisdom). Many Protestant editions of the Bible, however, include these books
at the end under the title “Apocrypha.”
Books in the Hebrew Scripture, and Catholic and Protestant Bibles
HEBREW BIBLE CATHOLIC BIBLE PROTESTANT BIBLE

(Mikra or TaNaKh) (Based on the (Based on the
Alexandrian Canon or Palestinian Canon;
Septuagint (LXX); with the retains the Catholic
7 Deuterocanonical order but without the
Books) Deuterocanonical
books)
Torah/Books of Moses: Pentateuch (Law): Law (Pentateuch):
Bereshit/Genesis Genesis Genesis
Shemot/Exodus Exodus Exodus
VaYikra/Leviticus Leviticus Leviticus
BaMidbar/Numbers Numbers Numbers
Devarim/Deuteronomy Deuteronomy Deuteronomy
Nevi’im/ Former Historical Books: Historical Books:
Prophets: Joshua Joshua
Joshua Judges Judges
Judges Ruth Ruth
Samuel 1 & 2 1 Samuel 1 Samuel
Kings 1 & 2 2 Samuel 2 Samuel
Nevi’im/ Latter 1 Kings 1 Kings
Prophets: 2 Kings 2 Kings
Isaiah 1 Chronicles 1 Chronicles
Jeremiah 2 Chronicles 2 Chronicles
Ezekiel Ezra Ezra
The Book of the Nehemiah Nehemiah
Twelve: Tobit* Esther (shorter version)
Hosea Judith*
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Amos Esther (Longer version) Wisdom Books:

Jonah 1 Maccabees* Job
Nahum 2 Maccabees* Psalms (150)
Zephaniah Wisdom Books: Proverbs
Zechariah Job Ecclesiastes
Joel Psalms (150) Song of Solomon
Obadiah Proverbs Wisdom of Solomon*
Micah Ecclesiastes Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)*
Habakkuk Song of Solomon
Haggai Wisdom of Solomon* Prophets:
Malachi Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)* Isaiah
Ketuvim/Writings: Prophets: Jeremiah
Psalms (150) Isaiah Lamentations
Proverbs Jeremiah Ezekiel
Job Lamentations Daniel (12 chapters)
Song of Solomon Baruch (Inc. letter of Hosea
Ruth Jer.)* Joel
Lamentations Ezekiel Amos
Ecclesiastes Daniel (14 chapters) Obadiah
Esther (shorter version) Hosea Jonah
Daniel (12 chapters) Joel Micah
Ezrah – Nehemiah Amos Nahum
Chronicles (1 & 2) Obadiah Habakkuk
Jonah Zephaniah
Micah Haggai
Nahum Malachi
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Malachi
Total no. of books: 46 Total no. of books: 39
*Deuterocanonical
books (7 books)
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C. Divisions of the Bible

1. Old Testament
This part of the Bible contains historical writings, stories, poetry, songs,
writings on human wisdom, writings on prophecy that span the whole extent of the
Jewish life. The Old Testament is also called the Jewish Scripture.
2. New Testament
Known also as the Christian Scripture, the New Testament is the inspired
testimony about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the New Covenant. It is
centered on Jesus of Nazareth, his life, death and resurrection, which are also
called as the Paschal Mystery. It presents Jesus’ ministry and teachings, and the
Church’s post resurrection understanding of who Jesus really was.
The word comes from the Latin “testamentum”, Hebrew “berith”, and the
Greek “diatheke,” meaning “formal agreement, or covenant between two (2)
parties. The term “Old Testament” was first introduced by Tertullian (ca 200 AD) to
refer to the Jewish Scripture and “New Testament” to the Christian Scripture.
D. Interpretation of Sacred Scripture

Two (2) Approaches of Interpreting the Sacred Scriptures
1. Exegesis
Exegesis is the exposition of a text based on a careful, objective
analysis. The exegesis literally means “to lead out of.” That means that the
interpreter is led to his conclusions by following the text. "Exegesis is an act
of love. It means loving the one who speaks the words enough to want to
get the words right. It is respecting the words enough to use every means
we have to get the words right. Exegesis is loving God enough to stop and
listen carefully" (Peterson, 999, p.10)
2. Eisegesis
Eisegesis is the interpretation of a passage based on a subjective,
non-analytical reading. The word eisegesis literally means “to lead into,”
which means the interpreter injects his own ideas into the text, making it
mean whatever he wants.
Factors to Consider in Interpreting Sacred Scriptures (CFC 92-96):

1. the inspired human author’s intention
2. the text itself
3. the reader of the text
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4. the common horizon connecting the original community context of the text
with our community reading today.
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
The Bible tells the most magnificent of all stories—the story of how you have been
redeemed. It is also full of wisdom for daily living. It teaches you how to treat other people,
how to handle your fears and sorrows, how to get your priorities straight. The wisdom of
the Bible shows you how to become the people you were meant to be. For the purpose
of this activity, just fill out the table below. Write the things that are asked for in the second
column. But you can do this exercise on your own following the same steps after this
lesson.
Identify a regular time for prayerful

reading and studying the Bible. Reflect Time______________
on one (1) scriptural reading one day at Dates__________;_________;__________
a time
Begin by selecting and praying an Psalm______________
appropriate passage from the Book of
Psalms.
Use your imagination to put yourself

inside some of the gospel stories.
1. You are a bystander in the crowd • Mark 10:46-52
watching Jesus heal the blind man
Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52).
2. You are the Samaritan woman at the • John 4:4-42
well when Jesus comes along (John
4:4-42).
• Luke 24:13-32
3. You are one of the disciples walking
with Jesus on the road to Emmaus
(Luke 24:13-32).
Pay attention to what comes to mind and

write your reflections.
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Rubric:

Expectations
(7 points)
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References
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. (2004). Acts and Decrees of the Second
Plenary Council of the Philippines. Paulines Publishing House.
Dilim, A. and Jacla, H., Jr. (2013). Becoming a Household of God in the Old Testament.
CICM Publishing House.
Knox, I. (2011). Theology for Teachers. Quezon City, Philippines. Claretian Publications.
Second Vatican Council. "Dogmatic constitution on divine revelation: Dei verbum."
Solemnly promulgated by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965.
Accessed March 28, 1021.
-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html.
Thomas, G. (1980). Christian Religious Education. San Francisco. Harper San Francisco.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (n.d.). Hebrews. Retrieved March 28,
2021, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/11
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (1995). Catechism of the Catholic
Church. New York, USA. Doubleday.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2011). Holy Bible: New American Bible
Revised Edition. Washington D.C., USA. Saint Benedict Press. LLC.
Images:
The Washington Post. [Online Image]. (2019). Why it matters if your Bible was translated
by a racially diverse group. https://encrypted-
tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTSOwkJmcwXxVB_JrH5QjhJYcnWWVjY1
RqwDg&usqp=CAU
Macgrath, J. [Online Image]. (2012). The Bible’s Authors Were Inspired by God.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionprof/2012/09/the-bibles-authors-were-
inspired-by-god.html
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MODULE 2
GOD, THE FATHER, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE
In this module, you will encounter the people of God as He continues to journey
with them. The Hebrew Bible, also known as Mikra (“what is read”) or TaNaKh, an acronym
referring to the traditional Jewish division of the Bible into Torah (Teaching), Nevi’im
(Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings), is the founding document of the people of Israel,
describing its origins, history, and visions of a just society. Lesson 1 (the Pentateuch/Torah)
will allow you to reflect on the stories of Abraham and Moses. Lesson 2 (the Nevi’im) will
focus your attention on the tasks of the prophets Jeremiah and Jonah. While Lesson 3
(the Ketuvim) will help you discern the messages of the books of Job and Ecclesiastes.
Lesson 1
God, the Father, Journeys with His People in the Pentateuch (Torah)
At the end of Module 2 Lesson 1, you must have:

___ Read and reflected on the given biblical text about Abraham and Moses
(watch videos)
Portfolio (Module 2, Lesson 1)

1. describe your relationship with God as your Father;
2. discuss the stories of how God journeyed with His chosen people-the Israelites; and
3. manifest acts of gratefulness for God’s abiding presence as shown in the Israelite’s
experience and how it is continuously felt by Christians today.
CONTEXT
Watch and reflect on the videos entitled “The story of a Father’s Love” and
“Earthly Fathers, Heavenly Father.” Here are the links:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPCK4THZtng)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5FxdCgD-qI)
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Afterwards, reflect on the given questions below:

1. Who is God the Father according to the story?
2. What is the importance of a father in your life?
3. What new insights did you get from watching the video about God as your Father?
God loves you unconditionally. He desires that you respond to His love – by loving
Him back, seeking to please Him in all you do. But you cannot do that in your own
strength. You must yield to Him unconditionally, done only by His grace and in response
to His call. The same goes with the videos that you watched. The unconditional love of
God to His people has been clearly manifested in the kind of love the father showed to
his disabled child. Thus, may the stories of Abraham and Moses inspire us to give back
that unconditional love by specifically loving the rest of creation.
INSPIRED WORD
A. Abraham
1. Be guided by these questions as you read and reflect on the story of Abraham’s
Call and His Covenant with God:
a. What was Abraham asked to give up?
b. Are the promises worthwhile if compared to what he was giving up?
c. What is the significance of God’s covenant with Abraham to God’s chosen
people, and to us, Christians?
Abraham’s Call and His Covenant with God
The Lord said to Abram: Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your
father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will
bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who
bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in
you. (Genesis 12:1-3)
Sometime afterward, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not fear,
Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.
But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you give me, if I die childless and have only
a servant of my household, Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram continued, “Look, you have
given me no offspring, so a servant of my household will be my heir.” Then the word of
the Lord came to him: No, that one will not be your heir; your own offspring will be your
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heir. He took him outside and said: Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just
so, he added, will your descendants be. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who attributed it
to him as an act of righteousness.
He then said to him: I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to
give you this land as a possession. “Lord God,” he asked, “how will I know that I will possess
it?” He answered him: Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a
three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon. He brought him all these, split
them in two, and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not cut up.
Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram scared them away. As the sun
was about to set, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great, dark dread descended
upon him. Then the Lord said to Abram: Know for certain that your descendants will reside
as aliens in a land not their own, where they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four
hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation they must serve, and after this they
will go out with great wealth. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace; you will
be buried at a ripe old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will return here,
for the wickedness of the Amorites is not yet complete.
When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and a
flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. On that day the Lord made a
covenant with Abram, saying: To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of
Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates. (Genesis 15:1-18)
The story of the call of Abraham is found in chapters 11 and 12 of the Book of
Genesis, and Abraham is considered the first patriarch of the Jewish people.
Before his call, Abram (as he was originally known) and his wife Sarai (who later
became known as Sarah) were old and childless. Abraham was 75 when he left his home
and he became the first to teach the idea of one God (monotheism). As a result of his
response to God, he became ‘Abraham’ which means ‘Father of the people’.
In order to gather together scattered humanity God calls Abram from his country,
his kindred and his father’s house, and makes him Abraham, that is, “father of a multitude
of nations.” The people descended from Abraham would be the trustees of the promise
made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God
will gather all his children into unity of the Church. They would be the root onto which the
gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe.
God promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation. This
is known as the Abrahamic covenant (the promise God made to Abraham).
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God’s promise to Abraham is recorded in Genesis 12: 1-3: "I will make you a great
nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will
bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse, and in you all the families
of the earth will be blessed." Following this, at the age of 75, Abraham and his wife made
the journey to Canaan (modern day Palestine, Syria and Israel). Here, God blessed them
with a child.
B. Moses
Be guided by these questions as you read and reflect on the story of Moses’ Call
and The Covenant at Mount Sinai:
a. What motivates God to act on behalf of His people? What is His ultimate purpose?
b. What does the calling of Moses show you about God’s heart?
c. How can you, as modern Christians, continue to adhere to the teachings of the
Ten Commandments?
Moses’ Call and The Covenant at Mount Sinai
But the Lord said: I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have
heard their cry against their taskmasters, so I know well what they are suffering. Therefore,
I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them up
from that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey, the
country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the
Hivites and the Jebusites. Now indeed the outcry of the Israelites has reached me, and I
have seen how the Egyptians are oppressing them. Now, go! I am sending you to
Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. (Exodus 3:7-10)
While Israel was encamped there in front of the mountain, Moses went up to the
mountain of God. Then the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying: This is what you
will say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: You have seen how I treated the
Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, if
you obey me completely and keep my covenant, you will be my treasured possession
among all peoples, though all the earth is mine. You will be to me a kingdom of priests, a
holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites. So, Moses went and summoned the
elders of the people. When he set before them all that the Lord had ordered him to tell
them, all the people answered together, “Everything the Lord has said, we will do.” Then
Moses brought back to the Lord the response of the people.
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The Lord said to Moses: I am coming to you now in a dense cloud, so that when
the people hear me speaking with you, they will also remain faithful to you.
When Moses, then, had reported the response of the people to the Lord, the Lord
said to Moses: Go to the people and have them sanctify themselves today and
tomorrow. Have them wash their garments and be ready for the third day; for on the third
day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. Set limits for
the people all around, saying: Take care not to go up the mountain, or even to touch its
edge. All who touch the mountain must be put to death. No hand shall touch them, but
they must be stoned to death or killed with arrows. Whether human or beast, they must
not be allowed to live. Only when the ram’s horn sounds may they go up on the
mountain. Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and had them
sanctify themselves, and they washed their garments. He said to the people, “Be ready
for the third day. Do not approach a woman.”
On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a
heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast of the shofar, so that all the people
in the camp trembled. But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they
stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely
enveloped in smoke, because the Lord had come down upon it in fire. The smoke rose
from it as though from a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled violently. The blast of the
shofar grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking and God was answering him
with thunder. When the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain,
the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Then the Lord
told Moses: Go down and warn the people not to break through to the Lord in order to
see him; otherwise many of them will be struck down. For their part, the priests, who
approach the Lord must sanctify themselves; else the Lord will break out in anger against
them. But Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot go up to Mount Sinai, for you
yourself warned us, saying: Set limits around the mountain to make it sacred.” So, the Lord
said to him: Go down and come up along with Aaron. But do not let the priests and the
people break through to come up to the Lord; else he will break out against them.” So,
Moses went down to the people and spoke to them. (Exodus 19:1-25)
Watch this short video about the Call of Moses. It is entitled “(Animated) – God
speaking to Moses from the Burning Bush.” Here’s the link:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZpYMr-Ed0Q)
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The call of Moses is found in the book of Exodus and takes place over 1000 years
after the call of Abraham. At the time, the Israelites were living as slaves in Egypt under
the Pharaoh. Moses was called by God to help the Israelites (who were Jewish) escape
from Egypt. This is remembered in the Jewish faith today as the Passover.
God calls Moses at the time when Moses has chosen the paths of a father and a
shepherd of sheep. He lives in the desert where Moses apparently isolated himself from
the misfortunes of his people and day by day wastes the opportunity of helping his
people. The task was tough but Moses, through his trust and faith in God, fulfilled his
mission with God always on his side as evidenced by
his constant dialogue with God.
When they reached Mount Sinai, in present
day Egypt, God spoke to Moses high on the mountain
slopes. God made a deal (called a covenant) with
the Jews that renewed the one He had made with
Abraham. "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians
and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you
to myself. Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and
keep my covenant you shall be my treasured
possession of all the peoples" (Ex:19: 4-5). As part of
this covenant, the Jews received some rules from God
Jacques de Létin: Moses at Mount Sinai.
in order to live as His people. These are known as the Ten (1655).
Commandments. https://www.artbible.info/art/large/61.ht
ml
CHURCH TEACHING
God journeys with His people in the lives of Abraham, Moses, and the foundational
event of Exodus (flight from Egypt and the Sinai Covenant). This journey is affirmed in the
Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC) as follows:
The Old Testament presents the inspired story of God forming His own people by
establishing a special relationship with them. This covenant was a call to fuller life and
salvation. God called Abraham out of his homeland and promised him: “I will make of you
a great nation, and I will bless you” (Gn. 12:1-2). Through Abraham, God promised: “all the
nations of the earth shall find blessing…all this because you obeyed my command” (Gn
22:18). Thus, God showed Himself to be a personal God, eager to endow his people with
land, material possessions and countless descendants (CFC 277).
The call of Moses gives an even sharper picture of God as liberating His people.
Out of the burning bush the Lord said: “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in
Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers. Come now, I will
send you to Pharaoh to lead my people out of Egypt” (Ex 3:7,10). God showed Himself
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“Father” to the Israelites by choosing them “to be a people peculiarly His own.” This was
not because they were the largest of all nations, but solely because He “set His heart” on
them and loved them (cf. Dt 7:6-8). For their part, the Israelites were to observe God’s
commandments, the “Ten Words,” to guide them toward fuller freedom as His children (cf.
Ex 20:1-17) (CFC 278).
In carefully planning and preparing the salvation of the whole human race the
God of infinite love, by a special dispensation, chose for Himself a people to whom He
would entrust His promises. He entered into a covenant with Abraham (see Gen. 15:18)
and, through Moses, with the people of Israel (see Ex. 24:8). To these people which He
had acquired for Himself, He so manifested Himself through words and deeds as the one
true and living God that Israel came to know by experiencing the ways of God with men
(Dei Verbum 14).
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
Like Abraham and Moses who trusted God in faith unconditionally, you are called
to entrust ourselves to God, believe in His goodness and obey His command. You can do
this through:
a. Obedience and cooperation to the people involved in your formation foremost
your parents, your teachers and guardians.
b. Following the rules and policies of your barangay and your national government.
c. Show your gratitude to your parents by doing simple things like helping in the
household chores and studying well amidst the health crisis happening around the
world.
Activity: “My Covenant with God”

The stories of Abraham, Moses and other important figures of the Old Testament
are not simply interesting tales or legends. They help you understand and teach others
about God’s eternal promise of love. As a sign of my deepest appreciation and gratitude
to God’s abiding love for you despite your shortcomings, make and enter into a
covenant with Him. This covenant that you will make shall:
1. show how important and relevant God’s covenant today; and
2. indicate what you will do to show that you want to keep it.
Follow this format:
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My Personal Covenant with God

Knowing that God is (describe who God is based on the lesson)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________, I hereby pledged myself to be a good son/daughter of His,
witnessing to his saving grace, and seeking to follow His teachings under the guidance
of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit. I faithfully pledge my time, my skills, my resources, and my
strength to search out God’s will for me, and to obey.
(Enumerate here specific actions that you can do.)

1. ________________________________________
2. ________________________________________
3. ________________________________________
4. ________________________________________
5. ________________________________________
6. ________________________________________
7. ________________________________________
8. ________________________________________
9. ________________________________________
10. ________________________________________
I hereby make my commitment, trusting in the grace of God to give me the will
and the strength to keep this covenant.
Signed: ___________________________________ Date: ____________

(Signature above name)
Rubric:

Expectations
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(7 points)
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References
Access Your Bible from Anywhere. BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over
150 versions and 50 languages. (n.d.). https://www.biblegateway.com/.
BBC. (n.d.). The call of Abraham and Moses - The formative history of Judaism - CCEA -
GCSE Religious Studies Revision - CCEA - BBC Bitesize. BBC News.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zrs7y9q/revision/1.
ECCCE Word & Life Publications. (2008). Catechism for Filipino Catholics.
Dei Verbum. (n.d.). Vatican.

-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html
Knox, I. (2011). Theology for Teachers. Quezon City: Claretian Publications.
Learn the Bible for Free Online: BibleProject™. BibleProject. (n.d.).

https://www.thebibleproject.com./.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) - Version Information -

BibleGateway.com. (n.d.). https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-
American-Bible-Revised-Edition-NABRE-Bible/.
Taylor, J. (1987). As It Was Written: An Introduction to the Bible. New York, Paulist Press.
Image:
De Létin, J. Moses at Mount Sinai. (Online Image) (1655). Art and the Bible.
https://www.artbible.info/art/large/61.html
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Lesson 2
God, the Father, Journeys with His People in the Prophetic Books
(Nevi'im)

___ Read and reflected on the stories of prophets (Nevi’im) (watch videos)

1. examine the different roles of the prophets in guiding the people of God, and how
they embodied God’s presence through their ministry;
2. explore the roles of the prophets in God’s plan for His people; and
3. recognize that you are one of the present-day prophets who continue to speak
and work on behalf of truth and justice.
CONTEXT
Ask yourselves the following questions:
1. Name at least three (3) people who significantly contributed to your growth and
formation as an individual and as a Christian.
2. Describe your experience of how they have inspired or influenced you in any way.
Life indeed is a journey. As you travel, there are times that you come to an
intersection where you have no idea which way to follow. You can also become
exhausted and discouraged that you want to give up altogether. In times like these, you
need guides to show you the direction, hands to pull, and words to cheer you up to
continue on your way. These guides, hands and words may come in the form of the love,
care, support and advice of your parents, siblings, relatives, and friends. Just like you, the
Israelites needed people to nudge them when they became sluggish in their faith and to
instruct them when they had gone astray. These people were the prophets.
In order to understand what God is telling us in history, as well as in the events of
our daily living, we need prophets. A prophet refers to a person called and inspired by
God to deliver a message on his behalf. It was the task of the prophets to tell people how
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God saw things in the present or the future, or even in the past. Aside from words, the
prophets used a variety of symbols to deliver their message.
The prophets speak on behalf of God, they tell you the message of God. They
interpret the “signs of the times” so that you may understand what God is telling you.
INSPIRED WORD
Read and reflect on the stories of prophets Jeremiah and Jonah. Bear in mind the
following questions as you read about them:
1. In what manner was the prophet called by God?
2. How did the prophet respond to God’s call?
3. What was the prophet’s central message in his works and preaching?
A. Jeremiah
The prophet Jeremiah lived during a time of great change for God’s people. The
tiny kingdom of Judah was caught in the middle of the struggle between old and new
empires fighting to gain power over the region. Jeremiah began to serve as God’s
prophet in 627 B.C. when he was a young man, possibly less than 20 years old, and
continued until shortly after the Babylonians captured Judah’s capital city, Jerusalem, in
586 B.C. During Jeremiah’s time as prophet, he warned the kings, priests, and people of
Judah of the coming doom.
Watch this short video as an overview of the Prophet Jeremiah. It is entitled
“Overview: Jeremiah.” Here’s the link:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSK36cHbrk0)
Jeremiah’s Call and God’s Promise to Save His People
The word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before
you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah,
Lord God!” I said, “I do not know how to speak. I am too young!” But the Lord answered
me, do not say, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I
command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you
– oracle of the Lord. Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying to
me, See, I place my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you over nations and over
kingdoms,
To uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant. (Jeremiah
1:4-10)
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But you, my servant Jacob, do not fear; do not be dismayed, Israel! Listen! I will
deliver you from far-off lands; your offspring, from the land of their exile. Jacob shall again
find rest, secure, with none to frighten him. You, Jacob my servant, must not fear – oracle
of the Lord – for I am with you; I will make an end of all the nations to which I have driven
you, but of you I will not make an end: I will chastise you as you deserve, I cannot let you
go unpunished. (Jeremiah 46:27-28)
The story of Jeremiah’s call to preach is the first of many stories about his life. This is
a job that Jeremiah neither seeks nor welcomes. Citing his young age, he objects. God,
however, will not let Jeremiah’s youth stand in the way of sending a message that the
people of Israel need to hear, even if they do not want to hear it. Jeremiah would not be
alone for God regularly seeks young people for divine work. Jacob, Joseph, Miriam,
Gideon, Joshua, Samuel, David, Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack, Abednego, Mary, Jairus’
daughter, Timothy, and Jesus at age twelve were all young when they too encountered
the divine. Reluctantly, Jeremiah says yes to God’s call.
As the book unfolds, it is apparent that Jeremiah is called to deliver a message
that is both difficult and unwelcome. The declaration that God knew him before he was
born, even before he was formed in his mother’s womb, does not exempt Jeremiah from
problems inherent in his ministerial call. Neither the command not to be afraid, nor the
promise of God’s presence, is enough to shield Jeremiah from the trouble that awaits
him. Anticipating the difficulty may have been part of the reason why Jeremiah objected
to God’s call.
B. Jonah
The book of Jonah is different from other prophetic books in that it is more of a
narrative than a prophetic message. This story is built around the character of Jonah. The
story begins with a tension in the life of Jonah who refused to obey the command of the
Lord. And it proceeds to resolve the question of what will happen to this disobedient
prophet and what will happen to the people he was supposed to deliver a message to.
Watch this short video as an overview of the Prophet Jonah. It is entitled

“Overview: Jonah.” Here’s the link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c)
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Jonah’s Call and Disobedience, and God’s Message to Nineveh
The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: Set out for the great city of
Nineveh, and preach against it; for their wickedness has come before me. But Jonah
made ready to flee to Tarshish, away from the Lord. He went down to Joppa, found a
ship going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and went down in it to go with them to Tarshish,
away from the Lord.
The Lord, however, hurled a great wind upon the sea, and the storm was so great
that the ship was about to break up. Then the sailors were afraid and each one cried to
his god. To lighten the ship for themselves, they threw its cargo into the sea. Meanwhile,
Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship, and lay there fast asleep. The captain
approached him and said, “What are you doing asleep? Get up, call on your god!
Perhaps this god will be mindful of us so that we will not perish.”
Then they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots to discover on whose
account this evil has come to us.” So, they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. They said
to him, “Tell us why this evil has come to us! What is your business? Where do you come
from? What is your country, and to what people do you belong?” “I am a Hebrew,” he
replied; “I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
Now the men were seized with great fear and said to him, “How could you do
such a thing!”—They knew that he was fleeing from the Lord, because he had told them.
They asked, “What shall we do with you, that the sea may calm down for us?” For the
sea was growing more and more stormy. Jonah responded, “Pick me up and hurl me into
the sea and then the sea will calm down for you. For I know that this great storm has
come upon you because of me.”
Still the men rowed hard to return to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew
more and more stormy. Then they cried to the Lord: “Please, O Lord, do not let us perish
for taking this man’s life; do not charge us with shedding innocent blood, for you, Lord,
have accomplished what you desired.” Then they picked up Jonah and hurled him into
the sea, and the sea stopped raging. Seized with great fear of the Lord, the men offered
sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. (Jonah 1:1-16)
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: Set out for the great city of
Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you. So, Jonah set out for Nineveh,
in accord with the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an awesomely great city; it took
three days to walk through it. Jonah began his journey through the city, and when he
had gone only a single day’s walk announcing, “Forty days more and Nineveh shall be
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overthrown,” the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of
them, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside
his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he had this proclaimed
throughout Nineveh: “By decree of the king and his nobles, no man or beast, no cattle
or sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man, and
beast alike must be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; they all must turn
from their evil way and from the violence of their hands. Who knows? God may again
repent and turn from his blazing wrath, so that we will not perish.” When God saw by their
actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil he had threatened
to do to them; he did not carry it out. (Jonah 3:1-10)
Jonah refuses to obey the call from the Lord; perhaps because he does not feel
responsible for the salvation of the hated Ninevites. Jonah delights in thinking about the
punishment that God is going to inflict on the pagans of Nineveh.
Jonah represents those believers who, although they know God, have a petty and
resentful attitude and who lie about the good done by men without religion because
they are afraid that people might make comparison unfavorable to Christians.
The passages presented here are stories of the call, struggles and successes of the
prophets while doing the mission entrusted to them. The stories will remind us that when
God calls and sends His prophet or anybody to their mission, He accompanies and works
with them in his enduring presence until the task or mission is done.
The prophets were men called by God to speak His word to the people,
interpreting their present situation in the sight of God and telling them what He would do
with them. Most of all the prophets called the people back to the covenant. For despite
God’s constant fidelity, Israel’s history is a series of infidelities. After the first stage of God’s
saving acts in liberating His people from their slavery in Egypt, a second stage concerns
their deliverance proclaimed by the prophets, both before and after the exile, if only they
would turn back to the Lord. The prophetic message proclaimed by the prophets is of
conversion, hope and fidelity to the Lord.
CHURCH TEACHING
We often confuse “prophet” with a fortune teller (manghuhula) who predicts what
the future holds. The Old Testament prophets were not like that. They were men called
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by God to speak His word to the people, interpreting their present situation in the sight of
God and telling them what He would do with them. Most of all, the prophets called the
people back to the Covenant. For despite God’s constant fidelity, Israel’s history is a series
of infidelities. After the first stage of God’s saving acts in liberating His people from their
slavery in Egypt, a second stage concerns their deliverance proclaimed by the prophets,
both before and after the Exile, if only they would turn back to the Lord (CFC 428).
This prophetic hope is, first of all, grounded on the memory of God’s great saving
acts in the past. “Look to the rock from which you were hewn, to the pit from which you
were quarried. Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth” (Is 51:1-
2). Thus grounded, hope works against the rootlessness with which modern secularism
plagues us all. Second, prophetic hope looks essentially also to the future and to posterity.
It thus helps us to overcome our excessive individualism. “My salvation shall remain forever,
and my justice shall never be dismayed” (Is 51:6). Third, in freeing us from the guilt of sin,
the prophets’ promise of God’s forgiveness brings comfort. “Comfort, give comfort to my
people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem . . . her guilt is expiated” (Is 40: 1-2)
(CFC 437).
Fourth, the prophetic hope sketches a new life that drives out resignation and
despair. “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’
wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint” (Is 40:31) (CFC 438).
Lastly, the prophetic hope bursts out of all narrow pragmatic and utilitarian views
by offering a vision of the future that only God can create. “Lo, I am about to create new
heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to
mind (CFC 439).
Thus, when God Himself spoke to Israel through the mouth of the prophets, Israel
daily gained a deeper and clearer understanding of His ways and made them more
widely known among the nations (see Ps. 21:29; 95:1-3; Is. 2:1-5; Jer. 3:17). The plan of
salvation foretold by the sacred authors, recounted and explained by them, is found as
the true word of God in the books of the Old Testament: these books, therefore, written
under divine inspiration, remain permanently valuable. "For all that was written for our
instruction, so that by steadfastness and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might
have hope" (Rom. 15:4) (Dei Verbum 14).
The following are suggested criteria to validate who might be regarded as a
prophet these days from Ian Knox:
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1. The prophet never claims to speak on his or her own

behalf, but always on behalf of God (it is God’s
message, not the prophet’s).
2. The prophet’s message will, in the long term, make
for unity in the church (“that they all may be one”),
promote the reign of God, even though in the short
term the prophetic word may bring discord and
pain. Jesus said that he had come to bring fire on
earth and that his message would set brother
against brother.
Mother Teresa:
3. The example of a prophet’s life must be part of the A Modern-Day Prophet. (2012).
message. They must live by the words they speak. https://lshook8592.wordpress.co
m/2012/10/04/mother-teresa-a-
4. True prophecy is never for show, for display, or for modern-day-prophet-an-angel-
personal gain. from-god/
5. Prophecy must be clear enough to be understood by the majority of people, not

so esoteric as to be available only to a few.
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
God remains faithful and does not abandon the people He called to participate
in his work. The task may be difficult but if you remain working with the Lord, the task is
easier. As the prophets did their task with the Lord as their companion so you are also
sent to do a mission. You can do these through the following:
1. Accompany and help a friend/classmate who is hard-up in adjusting to the
online/offline program.
2. Remind a friend/sibling in a gentle way/manner not to forget her/his responsibility
in her/his studies.
Activity: “My Advocacy Message”

With the understanding you gained from the lesson about Nevi'im (Prophets), how
can you be a prophet in today's time? Choose one (1) issue that our country or the world
is facing right now (e.g. climate change, corruption, vaccine shortages and delays, etc.).
Afterwards, pick one (1) specific advocacy message (a slogan, a motto, a gesture, etc.)
that will capture your stand against this issue. Make sure to describe your advocacy
message in 3-5 sentences.
Rubric:
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Expectations
(7 points)
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References



Philippine Bible Society. (2011). The Bible: A Glimpse at Every Book. Philippine Bible
Society.
Tagle, L. A. (2015). Telling the Story of Jesus. Quezon City: Claretian Communications,
Inc.
Image:
Mother Teresa: A Modern-Day Prophet. [Online Image] (2012). Reaching New Heights
at BC: Exploring Catholicism.
https://lshook8592.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/mother-teresa-a-modern-day-
prophet-an-angel-from-god/
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Lesson 3
God, the Father, Journeys with His People in the Sacred Writings
(Ketuvim)

___ Read and reflected on the lessons from the sacred writings (Ketuvim) (watch
videos)

1. describe God’s presence and intervention in human life and affairs according to
the Sacred Writings;
2. expound the themes of the Sacred Writings by using certain church documents as
guide; and
3. inspire others to remain steadfast and hopeful in their faith by drawing guidance
from the Sacred Writings.
CONTEXT
“Footprints in the Sand”
Watch this short video. It is entitled “Leona Lewis – Footprints in the Sand.” Here’s
the link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCsZNalcaXM)
Please be guided by this instruction in your reflections:
Think of good or bad experiences as you watch the video. Identify those events in
your life where you encountered God carrying or assuring you of His love.
Surely, this song is special to many Christians because it speaks directly to your
unique relationship with God. Your faith in God does not excuse you from experiencing
hardships and sadness. The reality is that you all go through ups and downs in your lives.
Sometimes God walks beside you, and other times He must carry you. The same goes
with the story of Job. May his story inspire you to continue your journey with God despite
the challenges that you face along the way. May the book of Ecclesiastes also enlighten
you on the realities of life as we continue to spend time in this world.
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INSPIRED WORD
Read and reflect on Job’s story and the other life lessons that can be gleaned
from the book of Ecclesiastes. Be guided by the questions found after each book.
A. Job
Job tells the story of one man’s troubles. But his situation prompts a series of
conversations written in the form of poetry. These conversations between Job and his
friends and the Lord focus on difficult life questions. Reading this book will challenge you
to bare your heart before God. It is easy to offer God your praises and thanks. But Job will
challenge you to offer to God even the many questions and the deepest emotions in
your heart. For God alone can satisfy your cries and give you comfort and rest.
Watch this short video as an overview of the Book of Job. It is entitled “Overview:
Job.” Here’s the link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQwnH8th_fs)
Be guided by these questions as you read and reflect on the stories of Job:
1. What kind of a man is Job?
2. What does Job’s story teach you about life, most especially about faith in God?
Job’s Piety, Response, and God’s Blessings
In the land of Uz there was a blameless and upright man named Job, who feared
God and avoided evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him; and he had
seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred
she-donkeys, and a very large household, so that he was greater than anyone in the East.
His sons used to take turns giving feasts, sending invitations to their three sisters to eat and
drink with them. And when each feast had run its course, Job would send for them and
sanctify them, rising early and offering sacrifices for every one of them. For Job said, “It
may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this
habitually. (Job 1:1-5)
Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that you can do all things, and that
no purpose of yours can be hindered. “Who is this who obscures counsel with
ignorance?” I have spoken but did not understand; things too marvelous for me, which I
did not know. By hearsay I had heard of you, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore, I
disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes. And after the Lord had spoken
these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My anger blazes against you
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and your two friends! You have not spoken rightly concerning me, as has my servant Job.
So now take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt
offering for yourselves, and let my servant Job pray for you. To him I will show favor, and
not punish your folly, for you have not spoken rightly concerning me, as has my servant
Job.” Then Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite,
went and did as the Lord had commanded them. The Lord showed favor to Job.
The Lord also restored the prosperity of Job, after he had prayed for his friends;
the Lord even gave to Job twice as much as he had before. Then all his brothers and
sisters came to him, and all his former acquaintances, and they dined with him in his
house. They consoled and comforted him for all the evil the Lord had brought upon him,
and each one gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. Thus, the Lord blessed the
later days of Job more than his earlier ones. Now he had fourteen thousand sheep, six
thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-donkeys. He also had
seven sons and three daughters: the first daughter he called Jemimah, the second
Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no other women were as beautiful
as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren,
and even his great-grandchildren. Then Job died, old and full of years. (Job 42:1-3; 5-17)
Job lives in a foreign pagan land in

ancient times. His position is enviable: he is a
leader of the nomads, somewhat like
Abraham and he lacks nothing.
In the last paragraph (42:7), we can
find the conclusion of the popular story of
the holy man Job. Since he preserved his
trust, it was rewarded by the just God.
Job and Helping Others. (2019). Job deals with the causes of human
(https://www.clarion-
journal.com/clarion_journal_of_spirit/2019/03/job-and- suffering and the role may play in this
helping-others-by-bob-branch.html) suffering. Job is described in the story as “a
truly good person, who respects God and refuses to do evil”. He trusted God and was
blessed with many children, good health, and much wealth. But when Job loses
everything and suffers terribly, the book seems to focus directly on the question of why a
good and faithful like Job has to suffer. Job invites us to struggle with age-old questions
and in the end discover that the mysterious power and ways of God are sometimes
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beyond human understanding, but God’s presence with us in times of suffering can give
us the strength to go on and face the future.
B. Ecclesiastes
The book’s title comes from the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew word
Qoheleth, which means “one who assembles.” The author is not known, but many
scholars suggest he may have been a teacher, preacher, or philosopher. The author
shares his thoughts on the meaning of life and uses sayings, proverbs, and poems to
illustrate his point.
Watch this short video as an overview of the Book of Ecclesiastes. It is entitled
“Overview: Ecclesiastes.” Here’s the link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-
2wk)
Be guided by these questions as you read and reflect on the story found in the
Book of Ecclesiastes:
1. What are the main themes of the book of Ecclesiastes?
2. What life lessons can you learn from this book?
No One Can Determine the Right Time to Act
There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the
heavens. A time to give birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the
plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time
to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter
stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from
embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love,
and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit do workers have
from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to mortals to be busy about.
God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts
so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done. I
recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life.
Moreover, that all can eat and drink and enjoy the good of all their toil – this is a gift of
God. I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it,
or taking from it. Thus has God done that he may be revered. What now is has already
been; what is to be, already is: God retrieves what has gone by.
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And still under the sun in the judgment place I saw wickedness, and wickedness
also in the seat of justice. I said in my heart, both the just and the wicked God will judge,
since a time is set for every affair and for every work. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-17)
The book of Ecclesiastes is a search for the meaning in life. The writer sees from the
point of view that life is full of contradictions and mysteries. Hard work is a gift from God
but work is painful and senseless, because after people die, they won’t have anything to
show for their hard work and others will get to enjoy their wealth. There is time for
everything, everything on earth is temporary, just put your trust in God or His providence.
God is journeying with us throughout. (Ec. 3 :1-15)
Ecclesiastes looks at all the aspects of the human condition, one after the other,
beginning from the surest: death. Death destroys all illusions of man who tries to forget
the lack of meaning in his life.
The chosen biblical passages about Job and Ecclesiastes describe how God
remains present in the experiences of His people. In the midst of all these encounters, the
people of God who remain faithful to Him are assured of God’s presence and company
in their endeavor.
CHURCH TEACHING
The third part of the Old Testament, called the “Writings,” presents the discernment
needed for ordinary day-to-day living. The Wisdom literature presents how the faithful
can discern the presence of God in their daily lives. “How are things interconnected?”
the wise man asks. Can God, through His Covenant Torah and His prophetic Word, bring
salvation to ordinary daily life? (CFC 441)
In the Wisdom Literature, Job responds by looking not only back to the confident
experience of God’s saving presence in the past. He also looks forward to the divine
inscrutability: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away” (Jb 1:21). There is much to
learn from the counsels of the wise. “Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn
away from evil” (Prv 3:7). On work and leisure: “He who tills his own land has food in plenty,
but he who follows idle pursuits is a fool” (Prv 12:11). On relating to people: “A mild answer
calms wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prv 15:1). (CFC 442)
Some advice “liberates” by exposing evils that enslave. “There are six things the
Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and
hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly
to evil, the false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers” (Prv
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6:16-19). Others provide something like today’s “value clarification.” “It is better to harken
to the wise person’s rebuke than to harken to the song of fools” (Eccl 7:5). (CFC 443)
Job’s question, then, is answered by the vital interaction of life experience and
Lord-experience. Both come together in: “Behold, the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and
avoiding evil is understanding” (Jb 28:28). The best human knowledge of salvation is
discerning obedience to the Lord. (CFC 444)
As God journeyed with the people of God promising salvation through his
continued presence, he also journeys with you in your day-to-day undertakings. You take
assurance of His accompaniment in the wisdom of the wise. Your journey with God
becomes enjoyable, easier despite adversaries like Job if you need to recognize that all
blessings and goodness comes from God and that difficulties can be overcome if you
entrust ourselves to God. To be guided to live a life of blessing, you need to pray like the
Psalmist does, trust in God’s timing and listen to the wisdom of the wise. These can be
done by developing a habit of prayer and constant participation in the Eucharist.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
SYNTHESIS: Discussion on the Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim
The Five Books of Moses retell the story of how the family of Abraham and Sarah
became the people of Israel and how they came back from exile in Egypt, under the
leadership of Moses, to the border of the land of Israel, on the way stopping at Mount
Sinai for the revelation of what is known as the Ten Commandments. The Torah includes
both the narrative of the formation of the people of Israel and the laws defining the
covenant that bind the people to God. Nevi’im (Prophets) presents Israel’s history as a
nation on its land. The Israelites conquered and settled; they were beset by local enemies
and eventually by imperial powers. Political and prophetic leaders vie for hearts; the
supporters of God‘s covenant did battles against the paganism of neighboring groups
and among the Israelites themselves.
A kingdom, a capital, and a Temple were built and eventually destroyed. At the
end of Nevi’im, prophets who experienced the exile taught a renewed monotheism to a
chastened Israel. Ketuvim, means simply “Writings”, which hardly does justice to the
variety of religious expression found there. There is poetry — of Temple ritual, private
prayer, wisdom, national tragedy, even love. There is philosophical exploration–of the
wisest path in life, of God’s goodness and justice. There are historical retellings and short
stories.
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MISSIONARY RESPONSE
Discuss how you can live a life full of trust, wisdom, gratitude and hope in the
following contexts. For each context, limit your answers to just five (5) sentences.
a) During the time of great loss.

b) In moments of sickness/During this time of Pandemic
d) In moments of blessings
Rubric:

Expectations
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(7 points)
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References

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Ketuvim. Encyclopædia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ketuvim.


Philippine Bible Society. (2011). The Bible: A Glimpse at Every Book. Philippine Bible
Society.
Tagle, L. A. (2015). Telling the Story of Jesus. Quezon City: Claretian Communications,
Inc.
Image:
Bob Branch. Job and Helping Others. [Online Image]. (2019). Clarion.
https://www.clarion-journal.com/clarion_journal_of_spirit/2019/03/job-and-
helping-others-by-bob-branch.html)
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MODULE 3
GOD, THE SON, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE
Module 3 invites you to continue your journey with God through the Son. You are
invited to encounter Jesus as the fullness of God’s revelation starting from the
annunciation to resurrection. The role of Mary and John the Baptist in His journey will also
be presented.
Lesson 1
MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS AND A WOMAN OF FAITH

___ Read and reflected on the scriptural text about Mary, the Mother of Jesus and
a Woman of Faith (watch video)

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. identify the qualities or attributes of your mother or anyone who has been a mother
to you;
2. draw insights from Mary’s act of total acceptance of the angel’s message to be
the “Mother of Jesus” that can help you appreciate and accept different tasks
given to you; and
3. come up with creative ways of introducing Jesus to other people.
CONTEXT
Points for Reflection:
1. Give the qualities or attributes of your mother or anyone who has been a mother
to you using the letters of her name.
2. What qualities of your mother do you like the most? Why?
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Of all the gifts life offers, a mother is one of the greatest blessings. Mothers are
great gifts from God. Mothers nurture and teach their children how to become good
people as the book of Proverbs says, “…do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Prov.
6:20). Mothers bestow on their children timeless wisdom. Mothers who personify faith in
God and prayerful life teach the children the value of God’s word. Moreover, mothers
inculcate in their children the value of self-confidence.
INSPIRED WORD
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called
Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the
virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with
you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting
this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall
name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord
God will give him the throne of David, his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob
forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can
this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The
holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth,
your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her
who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am
the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the
angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)
In the Gospel of Luke, Mary’s “Behold…may it be done” (1:38) is grounded in her

intimate and humble relationship with her God. In the end, it is in her “Behold” moment
wherein she turned and rested her future in Greater Mystery that ultimately carries the
day. Luke’s story of Mary includes a woman’s spiritual life of prayer and relationship with
God. Moreover, it portrays her wisdom to discern deep waters, her need for practical
encouragement, and her courage to enter into the ways that God might act in her life,
maybe wanting more concrete answers, but still willing to risk that the Spirit will lead and
not abandon her.
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The announcement to Mary of the birth of Jesus is parallel to the announcement

to Zechariah of the birth of John. In both the angel Gabriel appears to the parent who is
troubled by the vision and then told by the angel not to fear. After the announcement is
made the parent objects and a sign is given to confirm the announcement. The
particular focus of the announcement of the birth of Jesus is on his identity as Son of David
and Son of God.
Mary’s questioning response is a denial of sexual relations and is used by Luke to
lead to the angel’s declaration about the Spirit’s role in the conception of this child.
According to Luke, the virginal conception of Jesus takes place through the Holy Spirit,
the power of God, and therefore Jesus has a unique relationship to Yahweh: He is Son of
God.
The sign given to Mary in confirmation of the angel’s announcement to her is the
pregnancy of her aged relative Elizabeth. If a woman past the childbearing age could
become pregnant, why, the angel implies, should there be doubt about Mary’s
pregnancy, for nothing will be impossible for God.

1. If you think about Mary's human experience of meeting and talking with the
angel Gabriel – what can you imagine that experience is about?
2. What are the key attitudes towards faith does Mary exemplify in this story?
CHURCH TEACHING
For Mary, the announcement is almost overwhelming but her faith and purity
animated her to God’s truth. She accepted the angel’s message and all its implications
for her own life – a radical, unforeseen change in her plans. Mary’s total YES (FIAT) to Go’s
plan of salvation makes the incarnation possible. Mary remained faithful to her mission
unto the cross-making Jesus available to us. If we love Jesus, then we also love his mother
and follow her lead bringing us to Jesus.
Luke’s story of Mary encourages you to notice and wonder both with your minds
and hearts how God is with you, to be curious and to ask pointed questions, even of
God’s great messengers. Luke’s story also calls you to notice and ponder how God is
forever stirring up wild possibilities, and how God invites you into the ongoing story of
wonder, inclusive of happiness and sorrows, but, according to Luke, into a life where
God’s joy ultimately reigns.
The “Annunciation” refers to “The visit of the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin
Mary to inform her that she was to be the Mother of the Savior. After giving her consent
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to God’s word, Mary became the Mother of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 484, 494, Glossary, p. 866)
The Annunciation of the Lord is a Solemnity, which is a Feast of the highest rank in
the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that: “In the liturgical
year the various aspects of the Paschal Mystery unfold. This is also the case with the cycle
of the feasts surrounding the mystery of the Incarnation (Annunciation, Christmas,
Epiphany). They commemorate the beginning of our salvation and communicate to us
the first fruits of the Paschal Mystery” (CCC, 1171). The Annunciation to Mary inaugurates
"the fullness of time", the time of the fulfillment of God's promises and preparations. Mary
was invited to conceive him in whom the "whole fullness of deity" would dwell "bodily".
The divine response to her question, "How can this be, since I know not man?", was given
by the power of the Spirit: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you." (CCC, 484)
The mission of the Holy Spirit is always conjoined and ordered to that of the Son.
The Holy Spirit, "the Lord, the giver of Life", is sent to sanctify the womb of the Virgin Mary
and divinely fecundate it, causing her to conceive the eternal Son of the Father in a
humanity drawn from her own. (CCC, 485)
The Father's only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the
Virgin Mary, is "Christ", that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from
the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of
this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the
magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples. Thus, the whole life of
Jesus Christ will make manifest "how God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power."(CCC, 486)
What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on

what it believes about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary
Christian-Mary. (2017). illumines in turn its faith in Christ.
https://www.orlandodioces
e.org/reflection-on-our-
Many Filipino Catholics probably learn more about Faith from
blessed-mother-mary/ their devotion to the Virgin Mary than any other way. This is perfectly
grounded in Scripture which portrays Mary as the exemplar of faith.
Through her “Yes” at the Annunciation, Mary “becomes the model of faith”. Luke stresses
the contrast between Mary’s faith and the disbelief of Zachary by Elizabeth’s greeting.
“Blest is she who trusted that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled”. John Paul II writes
that “in the expression ‘Blest are you who believed’ we can rightly find a kind of ‘key’ which
unlocks for us the innermost reality of Mary, whom the angel hailed as ‘full of grace’”. (CFC,
155)
Mary perfectly exemplified the common definitions of faith as “full submission of
intellect and will” and the “obedience of faith” (Rom 16:26; 1:5; cf. DV 5). But she did it
personally, with all her human and feminine “I”, and this response of faith included both
perfect cooperation with the “grace of God that precedes and assists,” and perfect
openness to the action of the Holy Spirit, who constantly brings faith to completion by his
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gifts. Luke carries this theme of Mary’s faith into his second inspired book where he
describes her presence among “those who believed” in the apostolic community after the
Resurrection. (CFC, 156).
Mary is truly an effective inspiration to us because she constantly exercised faith in
all the realities of ordinary, daily living, even in family crises. Luke’s account of the “finding
in the Temple” offers a perfect example (cf. Lk 2:41-52). There is the first stage of
astonishment at seeing Jesus in the temple, in the midst of the teachers. Astonishment is
often the beginning of faith, the sign and condition to break beyond our “mind-set” and
learn something new. Mary and Joseph learned something from Jesus that day. (CFC, 157)
Second, there is distress and worry, real anguish and suffering. As with the prophets,
God’s Word brings good and bad fortune. Mary was already “taking up the Cross” of the
disciple of Christ. Third, there is often a lack of understanding. Both Mary and Joseph, and
later “the Twelve,” could not understand what Jesus meant. Faith is not “clear insight” but
“seeing indistinctly, as in a mirror”. Finally, there is the fourth stage of search wherein Mary
did not drop the incident from her mind, but rather “kept all these things in her heart.” Faith
is a continual search for meaning, for making sense of what is happening by uncovering
what links them together. Like the “scribe who is learned in the reign of God” Mary acted
like “the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old”.
(CFC, 158)
The name Mary is almost synonymous with full of grace. One who is full of grace is
very humble, recognizing one’s own limitations and incapacities and then simply waiting
for the assurance from the Holy Spirit. One who is full of grace magnifies the Lord.
This is how significant Mary is as portrayed in the story of the Annunciation.
According to his Eminence, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, in one of his homilies, the
Annunciation was the beginning of the Incarnation: a silent and mysterious event that
changed the world because at that moment, “in the fullness of time and fullness of love,
heaven and earth would unite in the Womb, in that Son-truly God but also truly
human…for God so loved the world He sent us his only Son.”
Indeed, Mary, the Mother of God, is an essential part of the Catholic Church. “She
is hailed as pre-eminent and as a wholly unique member of the church, and as its
exemplar and outstanding model in faith and charity.” (CCC, 967) Since Mary is the
mother of Jesus, she is also the mother of the church (CCC, 963.) We have already seen
that the church is Jesus carrying on his mission on earth to teach, to heal and to give
glory to God. We are the church, we live with the life of Christ, we carry on his mission to
the world. Therefore, Mary is our mother also, and that fact alone should serve as a source
of great devotion to her. (Knox, Ian 1999)
Despite the seeming impossibility of the Angel’s message, Mary demonstrated her
faith and trust in God by her acceptance of God’s invitation. The following questions may
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serve as a guide and a challenge to you as you ponder on your commitment in

answering God’s call.
1. Do you say “yes” to God in the small, everyday situations of your life? When the yes
is hard, do you ask God for the grace to respond to his call?
2. You are challenged to help “make flesh” the Word of God. How do you respond to
that invitation? In what ways do you help birth Jesus into the world?
3. What are the instances you have difficulty saying “yes” to God? How can Mary
help you in those moments?
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
Taking into the example of Mary, how can you bring or introduce Jesus to other
people? Make one (1) infomercial (like those you see on the television) on how you would
introduce Jesus to others. Take note of the following guidelines in creating your
infomercial:
1) Audience – friends who already know and believe in Jesus;
2) Objective – to show why Jesus and his teachings are all the more relevant in today’s
secularized world; and
3) Medium – video (commercial: 1 minute).
Rubric:

Expectations
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(7 points)
Page 87 of 136
References
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) (n.d.). Commentary on Luke 1:

26-38. Luke, Chapter 1. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. (n.d.).

https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM.
Catechism for Filipino Catholics. (n.d.)

https://chermercado.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/cfc-cbcp.pdf
Dominus Est (2020, March 26). PHYSICAL DISTANCING SHOULD NOT ELIMINATE
COMMUNITY CARING - Cardinal Tagle. Dominus Est.
https://www.dominusest.ph/post/cardinal-tagle-covid19-homily-annunciation-
2020.
Image:
Christian-Mary. [Online Image]. (2017). Reflection on our Blessed Mary.

https://www.orlandodiocese.org/reflection-on-our-blessed-mother-mary/
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Lesson 2
JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE FORERUNNER OF JESUS

___ Read and reflected on the scriptural text about John the Baptist (watch video)

1. point out various elements needed when you prepare to welcome someone
important in your life;
2. draw insights from John the Baptist’s act of humility in identifying himself as
“forerunner of Jesus” to people; and
3. identify concrete and specific ways on how you could be an agent of Jesus’
presence to other people.
CONTEXT
What are the necessary elements you need in preparation for welcoming a family
member, a friend or a visitor coming home from abroad or a foreign place? What should
you consider as most important as you prepare for it?
Hospitality is the common terminology that describes how Filipinos welcome

visitors, foreigners or tourists visiting their country. This Filipino trait towards visitors is
undeniably extraordinary. Whenever a visitor would stay in a Filipino home, for example,
there would be a feast or a celebration as it is a tradition for them to prepare bountiful
Filipino cuisine for visitors to have a taste of their culture through food. Moreover, a joyful
family would naturally be ready to accommodate and bond with their visitors. Further,
Filipino families are often more than willing to share not only their meals but their entire
home as well. In fact, Filipinos would usually greet their guests with the phrase “Feel at
home!” to make sure that they are comfortable during their entire stay. For Filipinos, it is
always a pleasure and the country’s honor to accept foreigners as visitors and build
genuine relationships and friendship with them. Hence, hospitality is undoubtedly a
trademark of Filipinos.
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INSPIRED WORD
Read the following scriptural text on John the Baptist. After which, watch the
attached video guided by the following questions:
1. How and on what basis did John identify himself?
2. What is the significant role of John the Baptist in the life of Jesus?
John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus
This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from
Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” And he confessed and did not deny, but
confessed, “I am not the Christ.” They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he
said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him,
“Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say
about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight
the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, and said to him,
“Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John
answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not
know. It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
These things took place in Bethany beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world! This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes
a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ I did not recognize Him,
but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified
saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained
upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me,
‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One
who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son
of God.” (John 1:19-34)
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John the Baptist’s ministry was marked by

humility, repentance and selflessness as clearly
stated in John 3:30, “He must increase, I must
decrease”.
John 1:19-34 presents John the Baptist as
having a clear sense of who he is and who he is
not, of his role in manifesting God’s work on earth,
of God’s presence and revelation when he sees it,
and of his life’s work as a testimony to that
John the Baptist. (2017).
revelation. He baptizes not to cleanse people from
https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/john-
sin but to witness God’s presence in the world. baptist-forerunner/#.YPgSN-gzbIU
The John the Baptist you find in John’s Gospel
shows how what you do reveals to others what you believe.
Have you reflected on your individual identities enough to have a sense of the
talents you have, and those you do not have, to carry on the work of God in your own
particular contexts? Are you aware of the sort of God you reveal to the world by your
words and actions? Do your acts witness a God who takes away that which alienates
people from God and each other, and does so not by militant violence but by sacrifice?
Do you reveal a God who remains present in the world?
CHURCH TEACHING
Read and reflect on what the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and
Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC) teaches about John the Baptist.
St. John the Baptist is the Lord’s immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare
his way. “Prophet of the Most High”, John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last.
He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother’s womb welcomes the coming of
Christ, and rejoices in being “the friend of the bridegroom”, whom he points out as “the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. Going before Jesus “in the spirit and
power of Elijah”, John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his Baptism of conversion,
and through his martyrdom. (CCC 523)
After agreeing to baptize Jesus along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at
Jesus and pointed him out as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. By
doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the suffering Servant who silently allows
himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and also the
Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel’s redemption at the first Passover. Christ’s whole life
expresses his mission: “to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (CCC 608)
John the Baptist is “more than a prophet.” In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his
speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah. He
proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the “voice” of the Consoler who
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is coming. As the Spirit of truth will also do, John “came to bear witness to the light.” In
John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and
fulfills the longing of the angels. “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this
is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is
the Son of God... Behold, the Lamb of God.” (CCC 719)
John the Baptist was the second person through whom the Holy Spirit prepared for
the coming of the Savior. “Filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb,” John was
sent before the Messiah “in the spirit and power of Elijah, . . . to prepare for the Lord a
people well-disposed” (Lk 1:15,17). John was a “voice in the desert crying out: Make
straight the way of the Lord”; a “witness to testify to the light so that through him all might
believe” (Jn 1:23,7). John himself confessed: “I saw the Spirit descend like a dove from the
sky and it came to rest on him. . . the Lamb of God . . . who takes away the sin of the world”
(Jn 1:31-34;29). (CFC 1293)
From the foregoing, you are called to be witnesses of Christ and bearers of the
true light to your family, school, friends and to the community through your commitment
to the truth and the promotion of justice. Most especially, like John the Baptist, you have
to manifest your willingness to prepare for the coming of the Messiah and work, on his
behalf, towards the world’s experience of well-being.
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
Answer the questions briefly but substantially. Write your answers on the spaces
provided.
1. Inspired by John the Baptist ministry of making God’s presence alive, state
concrete and specific ways on how you could be an agent of Jesus’ presence in
your family, school and community. (10 points)
2. State the two (2) significant values of John the Baptist and discuss each value
briefly on how you can apply it in your life to be successful this semester. (10 points)
Rubric:

Expectations
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(7 points)
Page 93 of 136
References
Catechism of the Catholic Church. (n.d.). http://www.catholic-

catechism.com/ccc_408.438.486.523.536.608.613.713.719.1137.1286.1505.htm.
Catechism for Filipino Catholics. (n.d.)

https://justmehomely.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/chapter-22-the-holy-spirit-giver-
of-life/.
Ruiz, G. (n.d.). Commentary on John 1:19-34. Working Preacher from Luther

Seminary.https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=19
15.
Image:
John the Baptist. [Online Image]. (2017). Hall of Faith: John the Baptist, the Forerunner.
https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/john-baptist-forerunner/#.YPgSN-gzbIU
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Lesson 3
JESUS’ EVENTS: IN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY

___ Read and reflected on biblical text about Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry
(watch video)

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. identify Jesus in the events of your everyday encounters;
2. draw insights from Jesus’ Public Ministry especially from the healing and
forgiveness He offers; and,
3. show appreciation to the message of Jesus’ events by being able to relate its
relevance into your lives.
CONTEXT
Who is Jesus according to TV commercials and slogans? This brings out examples
such as:
Jesus is like Boysen because He is the “Quality you can trust!”
Jesus is like Metrobank because in Him, “You’re in good hands.”
Jesus is like Meralco because in Him “May liwanag ang buhay.”
Jesus is like Mang Inasal because “Hahanap hanapin mo.”
Jesus is like Banco de Oro because together “We find ways.”
Jesus is like Globe Telecom because He tells me “Abot mo and mundo.”
Jesus is like Bayantel because He assures me that “Gaganda pa ang buhay.”
How about you? What TV commercials and slogans have you encountered where
you can relate the presence of God?
Because of God’s revelation of himself, you are capable of recognizing His
presence in the ordinary and unexpected events of your lives. Let us now continue
journeying with God through the Public ministry of His Son.
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INSPIRED WORD
Read and reflect on the Biblical texts about the events in the life of Jesus. Watch
also the video entitled “Where Jesus walked.” Please see the video link attached below.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efZXSQ2L6Ew
Be guided by the following questions:
1.What do the healing miracles of Jesus tell about his character?
2.What is the significance of Jesus' healing, teaching and table fellowship in his
proclamation of the Kingdom of God?
3.What is the relevance of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection in his public ministry?
On Jesus Preaching about the Kingdom of God
The Parable of the Mustard Seed. He proposed another parable to them. “The kingdom
of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest
of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush,
and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’” (Mathew 13: 31-32)
The Cure of a Demoniac
Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the
sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In
the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out
in a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come
to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said,
“Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and
came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one
another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the
unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the
surrounding region. (Luke 4: 31-37)
Other Healings
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He
laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many,
shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to
speak because they knew that he was the Messiah. (Luke 4: 40-41)
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On Jesus’ Table Fellowship
He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there
named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking
to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short
in stature. So, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was
about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him,
“Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.” And he came
down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble,
saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood there and
said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have
extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” And Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of
Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19: 1-
10)
The Sentence of Death

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the
crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time, they had a notorious prisoner
called [Jesus] Barabbas. So, when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one
do you want me to release to you, [Jesus] Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?” For he
knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. While he was still seated on
the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I
suffered much in a dream today because of him.” The chief priests and the elders
persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to
them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered,
“Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?” They
all said, “Let him be crucified!” But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only
shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding
at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in
the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look at it
yourselves.” And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our
children.” Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he
handed him over to be crucified. (Mathew 27: 15-26)
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The Death of Jesus
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the
afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema
sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of
the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them
ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to
drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out
again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was
torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened,
and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from
their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The
centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly
when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this
was the Son of God!” There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who
had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene
and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. (Mt.
27: 45-56)
The Resurrection of Jesus
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene
and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake;
for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone,
and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The
guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to
the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He
is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he
lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is
going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Then they
went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his
disciples. (Mt. 28: 1-8)
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b. The Ministry of Jesus
Jesus’ ministry covers his baptism, from the previous lesson, which marks the start
of His ministry, His teaching, healing and table fellowship and also, not to be seen
separately, His passion, death and resurrection. Jesus’ whole mission and message is
centered on His relationship with His Father and of drawing all into His Father’s Kingdom.
1. Teaching
Jesus’ teachings, which often
utilized parables and aphorisms, were
aimed at changing people’s paradigm
of God: from being an authoritative and
legalistic God to a compassionate and
loving one. “His teaching started from
what was already familiar to the people.
He built further on that knowledge and
led them to a deeper insight. He invited
them to make their own decision. He
taught with a new authority and his Sermon on the Mount. (2015).
https://cerebralfaith.net/did-jesus-contradict-father-
teaching made a deep impression on the in-matthew-5/
people.” (Colla 2002, 39)
a. The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of heaven was inaugurated on earth by Christ. It is central to
Jesus’ ministry, everything that he did was directed to its fulfilment. This kingdom
shone out before men in the word, in the works, and in the presence of Christ. Thus,
when people meet Jesus, they could feel that God was very near. Meeting Jesus
was, and still is, meeting God Himself. (Colla 2002, 85)
Jesus’ invitation to enter his kingdom comes in the forms of parables, a
characteristic feature of his teaching. Through his parables he invites people to
the feast of the kingdom, but he also asks for a radical choice: to gain the
kingdom, one must give everything. Words are not enough; deeds are required.
The parables are like mirrors for man: will he be hard soil or good earth for the
world? What use has he made of the talents he has received? Jesus and the
presence of the kingdom in this world are secretly at the heart of the parables.
One must enter the kingdom, that is, become a disciple of Christ, in order to “know
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the secrets of the kingdom of heaven.” For those who stay, “outside,” everything
remains enigmatic.
b. The Primacy of Love
Exegetes, on Jesus’ ministry, emphasized that Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of

the Father’s plan of love. In Jesus Christ, the decisive event of the history of God
with mankind is fulfilled. Thus, Ian Knox, in his book Encountering Jesus in the
Gospels, talks about the impetus behind Jesus’ ministry:
The love that inspires Jesus’ ministry among men is the love that He has
experienced in His intimate union with the Father. The New Testament allows us to enter
deeply into the experience, that Jesus himself lives and communicates, the love of
God his Father – “Abba” – and, therefore, it permits us to enter into the very heart of
divine life. Jesus announces the liberating mercy of God to those whom He meets on
His way, beginning with the poor, the marginalized, the sinners. He invites all to follow
Him because He is the first to obey God’s plan of love, and he does so in a most singular
way, as God’s envoy in the world.
Jesus’ self-awareness of being the Son is an expression of this primordial

experience. For Jesus, recognizing the Father’s love means modelling his actions
on God’s gratuitousness and mercy. (Knox 2011)
c. Parables
A parable can be defined as a short, simple story, usually about a familiar
event, from which a moral or religious lesson may be drawn (Colla 2002, 37). A
third of Jesus’ teachings recorded in the gospels are ‘in parables’. We possess so
many stories and figurative statements of Jesus clearly because it is related to the
fact that he was a speaker, not a writer. Jesus did not write down his teachings
after due reflection. He spoke left and right on various occasions and to a more
or less accidental public. His parables are situational (Hendrickx 1987, 1).
The parables are taken from ordinary life.
Jesus challenged his audience by frequently making use of parables. They had
to decide the right course of action in a situation in which they were not personally
involved. But then, they were made to realize that the situation described in the
parable was also their own situation. It is a very expedient tool to bring home a
message, especially because it is simple. It creates a situation in which a certain action
must be taken. The listener is invited to place himself in that situation. He can identify
with the character of the story, without getting involved. He can live throughout its
action. (Colla 2002, 37)
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2. Healing
Stories of Jesus’ healing miracles are abundant in the Gospel Readings. One
fact becomes very clear: God was at work in and through Jesus. Jesus’ unshakable
faith in God was the power at work in his miracles. Jesus believed in God’s goodness.
He believed that the power of goodness is greater than the power of evil. He believed
that God wants to liberate humankind from the bonds of evil. He believed that God
is love and compassion.
a. Outreach to Sinners and Social Outcasts

His healing, which included reaching out to the sinners and social outcasts,
was a statement that all evils that contribute to human suffering in all its form can
only be overcome through acting out of justice and compassion.
Jesus was moved with compassion for all who were in need. Compassion
made Him reach out to all. It was more than an emotion or feeling. It was the
driving force of His life. It made Him respond unrestrainedly to all suffering. Indeed,
moved by compassion, Jesus set out to liberate the people from every kind of
suffering and anguish. Through his compassion the Kingdom of God became
visible. (Colla 2002, 70)
b. Cure of Diseases
The people were amazed at the works of Jesus, they said, where did this
man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? (Mt 13:54) Let Jesus answer for
himself:
i. The Power of Faith
Many times, when Jesus performed a miracle of healing, he himself
ascribed it to the power of faith, as in the case of the paralytic at Capernaum.
There are many more instances where the healing is attributed to faith, among
others are: The Story of the Centurion’s Servant (Mt 8: 5-13) where Jesus said, “I
assure you, I have never found this much faith in Israel.” The boy was cured
because of his father’s faith. The Story of Two Blind Men (Mt 9: 27-31). Jesus said
to the two blind men, “Because of your faith it shall be done to you.” They
recovered their sight because of their faith.
ii. No Miracles without Faith
Without faith no miracle could be performed. If faith was evidently the
power by which miracles happened, the absence of faith made it impossible
to perform any miracle. These are traced from Gospel passages such as: Mt
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13: 54-58 (Jesus at Nazareth). People in Jesus’ hometown were amazed that a
carpenter’s son could preach and perform miracles as he did. They simply
found him too much. Thus, “And He did not work many miracles there because
of their lack of faith.” Lk 9: 37-43 (The Story of the Possessed Boy). A father had
asked Jesus’ disciples to cure his son who was possessed by an evil spirit. But
they had failed. “What unbelieving and perverse lot you are, Jesus exclaimed.”
iii. For the Greater Glory of God
Jesus did not perform miracles to make a name or to claim authority for
himself. On the contrary, whenever a miracle happened, he attributed it to the
faith of the people. Often the miracle stories conclude with Jesus’ instruction
not to talk about it.
Miracles have been defined as unusual acts of God on behalf of man.
That was exactly how people understood them. Miracles became an occasion
for them to praise God. The following testify to this: “At the sight, a feeling of
awe came over the crowd, and they praised God for giving such authority to
men” (Mt 9:8). “They glorified the God of Israel” (Mt 15:31). “Fear seized them
all and they began to praise God” (Lk 7:16). “And all who saw it marveled at
the greatness of God” (Lk 9:43). “One of them came back praising God in a
loud voice” (Lk 17:15).
3. Table Fellowship
Many Gospel stories speak of Jesus’ compassionate association with people.
They relate how he sat at a table with a variety of people from all levels of society. He
sat at a table with tax collectors and sinners, with the outcast and with those with
whom no one wanted to share his or her table. There can be no doubt about Jesus’
sharing the table with all. The four Gospels agree on this point and testify to it as a
regular practice in Jesus’ life.
Table community was of great importance among the Jews. To share one’s
table meant to share one’s life. Jesus was of the opinion that no one should be
excluded from one’s table. In other words, no one should be excluded from one’s
social community and Jesus did not exclude anyone. This practice caused scandal
in the eyes of the upper and middle class, but was a source of great joy for the people
of the lower class. The Pharisees said, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
(Lk 15:2) Jesus was aware that the people spoke ill of this unconventional practice of
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joining all classes of people at table. He spoke of it when he said, “You say: here is a
glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. (Lk 7:34)
B. On Jesus’ Passion and Death

Crucifixion was the most humiliating and painful of all punishment in the Roman
Empire. As Ian Knox said:
The punishment of crucifixion was carried out by the centurions. The execution was
done outside the city walls of Jerusalem, at a place called Golgotha. “Jesus uttered a
loud cry, and breathed his last” (Mk 15: 37). These words give us a relatively bare statement
of Jesus’ death. It was the death of a criminal’s execution at the hands of an occupying
army. However, this painful and disgraceful death manifested Jesus’ own identity as Son
of God and effected salvation for others.
The passion of Jesus is both a historical event rooted in the past and a living
dynamic memory that gives meaning to the present. The gospels portray Jesus’ death as
the culmination of his mission, the final act of selfless love and service that sealed a life
totally committed to others. Jesus’ death was a prophetic witness in the cause of God’s
justice. Despite opposition and hostility directed at him and his mission, Jesus remained
faithful until the end and ultimately was vindicated by God’s love, a love stronger than
death. But for Christian faith, the passion of Jesus is not simply a heroic and poignant
death confined to past history. The passion of Jesus lives on in the faith and experience
of the Christian community. Through the mysterious communion of God with humanity,
Jesus’ sufferings continue in the suffering of every child of God, down to the present
moment. The passion of Jesus is indeed a historical event that ultimately gave meaning
and force to the entire mission of Jesus and it is a living memory, a powerful grace that
gives meaning and hope to all human suffering. The gospels accounts of the passion
embrace both dimensions, rooting their narratives in the historical traditions about Jesus’
last days but inviting the reader to find in the passion of Jesus the ultimate meaning of
human existence and Christian commitment.
By recalling the distinctive portrayal of the suffering Jesus in each of the Gospels,
we are invited to enter deeply into the mystery of the passion and to bring one’s own
experience into vital contact with this core of the Christian message.
C. On Jesus’ Resurrection
It is important for us to understand the distinct character of the Resurrection of
Jesus given the many confusions being attached to it. As Ian Knox emphasized:
Christ’s Resurrection was not a return to earthly life, as was the case with the raising
from the dead that He had performed before Easter: Jairus’ daughter the young man of
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Naim, Lazarus. In his risen body, He passes from the state of death to another life beyond
time and space. At Jesus’ resurrection, His body is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
He shares the divine life in his glorious state, so that St. Paul can say that Christ is “the man
of heaven” (1 Cor 15: 30-50) (CCC 646).
Besides being the fundamental argument for our Christian belief, the Resurrection
is important for the following reasons:
• It shows the justice of God who exalted Christ to a life of glory, as Christ had
humbled Himself unto death (Philippians 2:8-9).
• The Resurrection completed the mystery of our salvation and redemption; by His
death Christ freed us from sin, and by His Resurrection He restored to us the most
important privileges lost by sin (Romans 4:25).
• By His Resurrection we acknowledge Christ as the immortal God, the efficient and
exemplary cause of our own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:21; Philippians 3:20-21),
and as the model and the support of our new life of grace (Romans 6:4-6 and 9-
11).
CHURCH TEACHING
Faith in Jesus, and all that he taught and did, is the center point of the Christian
life, the energizing core that gives meaning and purpose to life. As you reflect on how to
become genuine disciples of Christ, bearing in mind what you learned from the lessons
above, kindly ponder on the texts under the Church Teaching guided by the following
questions:
1. It is said that Jesus came to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
What does this mean? How does Jesus challenge you?
2. “Christianity's goal is not to escape from this world. It loves this world and seeks to
change it for the better.” ― Marcus J. Borg, 2011
What does this saying imply about your being Christians? What are you asked to
do?
3. Jesus was the most honest, integral and straightforward of persons. He understood
what his duty was and, in obedience to his conscience, was prepared to carry it
out, even if it meant death. What the passion and death of Jesus say to us is that,
if we dedicate ourselves to establishing the reign of God on earth, we can expect
to face powerlessness, misunderstanding and even death. (Knox, 1999) What are
you willing to dedicate to take part in making present the reign of God here on
earth?
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2. The resurrection represents the triumph of the forces of good, and therefore, the
resurrection is the center of our hope that God, in his goodness and love, will not
abandon us to a pointless death and the power of the “evil one.” (Knox, 1999) As
Christians, how do you also become a source of hope in these trying times?
A. On Jesus’ Teaching, Healing, and Table Fellowship
It is without doubt that the Kingdom of God is central to Jesus’ ministry. This public
ministry includes Jesus’ acts of healing and preaching about the Kingdom of God and
the celebration of it through many instances of table fellowship with his disciples, friends,
and with the outcasts. Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry is a manifestation of the
experience of the Kingdom of God. Everything that he did was directed to its fulfillment.
His teachings, which often utilized parables and aphorisms, were aimed at
changing people’s paradigm of God: from being an authoritative and legalistic God to
a compassionate and loving one. His healing, which included reaching out to the sinners
and social outcasts, was a statement that all evils that contribute to human suffering in
all its form can only be overcome through acting out of justice and compassion. On the
other hand, his table-fellowships symbolize Christ’s whole mission and message of
drawing all into His Father’s Kingdom.
Let us read and reflect on what the Catechism for Filipino Catholics teaches about
Jesus’ teaching and healing ministries in relation to the Kingdom of God.
The teaching and preaching of Jesus centered on the “Kingdom of God,” a
dynamic symbol of God’s active presence among His people. For Christ, this Kingdom, was
grounded in the Old Testament hope for Yahweh’s presence (cf. Ps 91:1, 96:10; 97:1; 99:1
etc). This hope was eschatological, that is, something already present but not yet fully (cf.
Mk 1:14f; Mt 4:17). Without ever defining precisely what the Kingdom of God is, Jesus uses
it to embrace all the blessings of salvation, a salvation of God’s active presence within
people’s daily life, liberating them from the enslaving power of evil, for loving service of
their fellowmen. For Filipino Christians today, PCP II sketches the essentials of the Kingdom
as a “gift of God,” made present in Jesus, as a “Task” and as a “Promise” (cf. PCP II 39-43)
(CFC 481).
Christ’s typical method of communicating his word about the Kingdom was by
telling stories, parables. In them he focused on the common life of his listeners, and drew
them into recognizing God’s presence therein. Jesus taught the people that God was their
Father, not in competition with them. That He was not calling them out of their own
humanity, but rather making their own creative human efforts possible by His divine
presence (CFC 482).
Besides his healing, Christ’s ministry was noted for his celebration of the Kingdom in
table-fellowship. He not only forgave sinners and associated with tax collectors and
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outcasts (cf. Mk 2:15-17); he even scandalized his pious contemporaries by dining with
them. Such table-fellowship symbolized Christ’s whole mission and message of drawing all
into his Father’s Kingdom. “I have come to call sinners, not the self-righteous” (Mk 2:17). It
prefigures the eternal banquet in the Kingdom of God in which “many will come from the
east and the west and will find a place, while the natural heirs will be driven out into the
dark” (Mt 8:11-12) (CFC 488).
The importance of this table-fellowship in Jesus’ ministry is confirmed by two things.

The first is the special importance among the early disciples of the “breaking of bread” (Lk
24:35; Acts 2:46). This must have come from Jesus’ own mannerism. The second is the Lord’s
prayer which Christ taught his disciples. It summarizes the ministry of Christ in terms of
“Abba” (Father), the Kingdom, bread, forgiveness and the final test. All of these refer in
one way or another to table-fellowship and more. Not just voluntary “coming together”
but the koinonia, the transforming communion we have in the Eucharistic celebration as
members of Christ’s Body (CFC 489).
B. On Jesus’ Passion and Death

It is quite clear from the gospels that Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection were
of greater importance to the gospel writers than his infancy and childhood. But even
though the passion narratives are more historically detailed than many other parts of the
gospel, they are still very much theological reflections which try to understand the
working of God in human experience.
Jesus understood that he had a mission from his Father to preach the good news
of God’s reign and to work for the establishment of that reign. He understood that his
mission was to do the will of God and he pursued that goal with a single-minded fidelity
which led him to his death. He was not the first or the last person to suffer for his integrity
and principles. (Knox, 1999)
C. On Jesus’ Resurrection
Scholars warn us that the account of the resurrection is couched in a faith–
language that defies scientific analysis, just like the Crossing of the Sea of Reeds. It should
not be read literally so as not to fall into the error of “over-belief” – fundamentalist
interpretation. We should not concern ourselves with “how” it really took place.
Resurrection is rising to a new and different life, a life of which we have little or no
experience. The apostles understood Jesus to be alive, but transformed into a new mode
of existence, an existence that transcends and is different from the former mode but is
continuous with it. Jesus had conquered death (CCC 645-646). It transformed the lives of
the apostles, from being fearful to becoming brave and bold.
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As a result of memory, reflection and prayer, they came to see that Jesus is unique,
someone in whom the power and presence of God had been expressed. They
reinterpreted the incidents in the life of Jesus in the light of the resurrection event.
“But the truth is: Christ IS risen, and his resurrection has revolutionized both the very
notion and image of God, and the ultimate meaning and goal of our very own lives.”
(CFC 2008, 150) Indeed, Christ’s acts of healing and forgiveness became more
meaningful and relevant into the lives of the people because of his resurrection. Let us
look into the salvific importance of Jesus’ resurrection from the teachings of the
Catechism for Filipino Catholics 621-627.
We can sketch the meaning and salvific importance of Christ’s Resurrection in five
points (cf. CCC 651-55). First, his Resurrection confirmed everything Christ had done and
taught. It fulfilled both Jesus’ triple prediction of his Passion, Death and Resurrection in the
Synoptics (cf. Mk 8:31; 9:30; 10:32), and his triple prediction of being “lifted up” in John’s
Gospel (cf. Jn 3:14; 8:28; 12:32). Christ’s exaltation vindicated all he claimed to be, as he
himself asserted in his trial before the high priest (cf. Mk 14:61f) (CFC 621).
Second, through his Resurrection, Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies
promising a Savior for all the world (cf. Ps 110; Dn 7:13). The history of God’s Self-revelation,
begun with Abraham and continuing through Moses, the Exodus, and the whole Old
Testament, reached its climax in Christ’s Resurrection, something unprecedented, totally
new (CFC 622).
Third, the Resurrection confirmed Jesus’ divinity. St. Paul preached that Jesus was
“designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from
the dead” (Rom 1:4; cf. Phil 2:7-8). Upon seeing the Risen Jesus, Thomas cried out, “My Lord
and my God!” (Jn 20:28) (CFC 623).
Fourth, Christ’s death freed us from sin, and his Resurrection brought us a share in
the new life of adopted sons/daughters of the Father in the Holy Spirit. “If then we have
died with Christ [freed from sin], we believe that we shall also live with him” (Rom 6:8) (CFC
624).
Finally, the Risen Christ is the principle and source of our future resurrection. This
means Jesus rose not only to a “glorious” higher state of life himself, but also to become
the source of this new life for all. “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified
body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself” (Phil
3:21). “In Christ all will come to life again” (1 Cor 15:22; cf. CCC 651-55) (CFC 625).
This importance of the Resurrection is often missed. Two practical problems

indicate this. Many Filipino Catholics today seem to feel uneasy if asked to explain the
meaning and implications of Christ’s Resurrection. This may indicate that many merely
accept the fact that Christ has risen from the dead. But they have no idea of what this
means nor do they know how to “live out” its implication in their lives. No one has helped
them see how Jesus’ Resurrection can be the basic principle and animating force for a
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truly Christian way of life. We are saved only if we not only “confess with our lips that Jesus
is Lord” but also “believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead” (Rom 10:9) (CFC
626).
The importance of the Resurrection also calls for the clarification of some common
misleading conceptions. Some Christians treat the Resurrection simply as a factual “proof”
of the Gospel message, with no particular meaning in itself. But in the New Testament,
Jesus’ Resurrection is not only a proof of the Gospel message – it is also the message! (CFC
627).
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
With the rise of social media platforms, “Social Media Influencing” is now trending.
A single post receives millions of reactions from people all over the world. Acting as an
influencer, inspired by the liberating ministries of Jesus, take an image or picture of you
depicting or capturing any event in Jesus’ life mentioned in this module. Also, put a
caption on your picture.
Answer also the following:
1. What event in Jesus’ life does it depict?
2. What is the significance of this event to you?
3. Inspired by the event in Jesus’ life, what message do you want to convey to your
viewers?
Rubric:

Expectations
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(7 points)
Page 109 of 136
References
A Commentary on the Gospels of the Passion. The Passion of Jesus Christ. (n.d.).
https://passionofchrist.us/commentary/.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. (n.d.).

https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM.
Colla, L. (2002). The Amazing Story of Jesus of Nazareth. JMC PRESS, INC.
Duns Scotus Bible Centre. (n.d.) The Resurrection of Jesus

https://www.dsbiblecentre.org/en/content/2021-04-03-000000
Daily meditations by Fr. Alfonse, (n.d.). By What Authority

https://fralfonse.blogspot.com/2010/08/lk-431-37-by-what-authority.html
Dominus Est (2020, March 26). PHYSICAL DISTANCING SHOULD NOT ELIMINATE
COMMUNITY CARING - Cardinal Tagle. Dominus Est.
https://www.dominusest.ph/post/cardinal-tagle-covid19-homily-annunciation-
2020.
Knox, I. (1999). Theology for Teachers, 3rd ed. Toronto: Novalis.
Perna, T. (2014, July 26). Quick Lessons from the Catechism: The Kingdom of God.
https://tomperna.org/2014/07/26/quick-lessons-from-the-catechism-the-
kingdom-of-god/
Ruiz, G. (n.d.). Commentary on John 1:19-34. Working Preacher from Luther Seminary.
https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1915.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, (n.d.). Luke

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4
Image:
Minton, E. Sermon on the Mount. [Online Image]. (2015). Cerebral Faith.

https://cerebralfaith.net/did-jesus-contradict-father-in-matthew-5/
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MODULE 4
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE
Christian life is a process of journeying with God through the Spirit. This journey with
God is historically placed and experienced in concrete realities of life. God sent his Spirit
to accompany his people. In the first lesson you find the story of God’s Spirit actively at
work in our midst as God invites communities to a life in the Spirit. In the second lesson
you see Christian communities responding to God’s invitation to live in the Spirit through
prayer. In this Module you seek understanding about the great deeds of God through His
Spirit in our history.
Lesson 1
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE IN THE EARLY
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

___ Read and reflected on the Pentecostal experience of the 12 apostles after
Jesus (watch video)

1. identify the historical beginnings of the Pentecostal movements in the Philippines
and their influence in Christian life today;
2. draw relevant insights from the Scripture and Church Teachings of the Spirit’s role
in the Church and Christian life; and
3. express appreciation for the practical examples of the Spirit’s activity in your local
church today.
CONTEXT
Watch and reflect on the video on the missions and death of the Twelve (12)
apostles after Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. Please refer to the video entitled
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“Paano Namatay ang mga Apostol ni Hesu-Kristo”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeisVhLwRfU, Talakayin TV, Dec 19, 2020). The
following questions may be helpful as you watch the video:
1. Can I perform my Christian mission the way Jesus’ apostles did?
2. What can I sacrifice for the purpose of my Christian mission?
3. What difficulties do I encounter in the conduct of my Christian mission today?
INSPIRED WORD
The Pentecost experience of the
Apostles serves as a key moment for the early
Christian community because in that event,
the community of disciples received the
spiritual gifts, which are essential to the mission
of the Church. The apostles provide you with
ideas on how to be docile to the prodding of
the Holy Spirit. It opens to new possibilities
about how the church today may live and do
her own vocation and mission. Pentecost Mural. (2018).
https://denvercatholic.org/the-holy-spirit-
To gain further understanding about the speaks-with-saints-lives/
“outpouring of the Holy Spirit and what the
disciples did in response to it”, kindly read and reflect on the story of the coming down
of the Holy Spirit. Be guided by the following questions:
1. How was the Holy Spirit manifested to the community?
2. What was the observable immediate effect of receiving the Holy Spirit?
The Coming of the Spirit
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And
suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire
house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted
and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and
began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in
Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded,
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and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking
Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? We are
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as
well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet
we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” They were all
astounded and bewildered, and said to one another, “What does this mean?” But others
said, scoffing, “They have had too much new wine.” (Acts 2: 1-13)
Since the death of Jesus, His followers went “underground” in fear. Persecutions
against Christians were prevalent and efforts to continue the mission was held back with
much anxiety. The Pentecost experience, also known as the descent of the Holy Spirit,
has given the followers of Jesus renewed strength and inspiration to continue Jesus’
mission. The Pentecost experience transformed the apostles “from simple followers of
Jesus into spiritual leaders of the new Christian community” (Valone 1993, p. 801). The text
says, "they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance to them" (Acts
2:4). This ability to speak in another language (termed as “Glossolalia”) opened the
Apostle’s minds to the will of God now poured through the Holy Spirit (Williams 2011). This
means that the courage of the early followers of Jesus to speak of the good news came
from knowing that the Holy Spirit is with them guiding and telling them what to say and
do. The Holy Spirit gives life and empowers the Church (CBCP 1997 [CFC # 1265]). In the
midst of harassment, persecution and threats, the early disciples braved the dangerous
conditions and continued their mission to the point that many paid the ultimate price
with their lives. This is shown in the mission and deaths of Jesus’ apostles that you were
asked to watch earlier. In the mission of the church today, you also expect that some will
believe, others will doubt, and still others will mock us. But we continue on. This was the
life and work of the Church to bring the Good news to the world in accordance with
Jesus' command.
That same day also, the baptism of fire announced by John the Baptist was
realized. The sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost led to the establishment of the
Church. The Spirit comes to give life to the Church. It also comes to confirm or affirm the
believers. The baptism of fire that the apostles received on the day of the Pentecost is
normally conferred to us through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The Sacrament of Confirmation prepares you spiritually to a life of service in your
respective communities. It is therefore important to discern where and how the spirit
works in you personally, between you and others and your community as a whole (CFC
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# 1272). While it is not easy to discern the presence of the spirit, you can look at how the
spirit is moving you in terms of how you are led not to yourselves but to God (CFC # 1276)
instead of working on your own fame. When you become professionals after college,
your spiritual life serves as a wellspring of strength and support to keep you dedicated in
your endeavors. Through the spiritual gifts you receive in Confirmation, you receive
support and guidance in your decisions and actions before others. The spiritual gifts allow
you to discern properly when making decisions, be firm in those decisions when you are
facing challenges and live as sincere witness of God’s love.
CHURCH TEACHING
The sixteen (16) documents of Vatican II were produced as our guide in our life of
faith. Many documents of the Church emphasize the central role of the Holy Spirit in the
life of the Church. The Spirit guides the Church, unifies her, builds her up and dwells in her.
In various ways, the Spirit is manifested in the life of the Church through different charisms
and gifts empowering each one. It is the Holy Spirit who brings to perfection the work of
Jesus he began in the Church. The Spirit provides guidance and constantly sanctifies
Christians. Among others, the following documents affirm these insights:
The fourth paragraph of Lumen Gentium posits that the Spirit guides the Church in
the way of all truth (cf. Jn. 16, 13). He unifies the Church in communion and in works of
ministry. The Spirit both equips and directs with hierarchical and charismatic gifts and
adorns with His fruits (cf. Eph. 1, 11-12; 1 Cor. 12, 4 Gal. 5, 22). The Spirit dwells in the Church
and in the hearts of the faithful, as in a temple (cf. Cor. 3, 16; 6, 19).
And paragraph 12 (Lumen Gentium) also states that “the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to everyone for profit” (Cf. 1 Thess 5, 12, 19-21). These charisms, whether they
be the more outstanding or the simpler and widely diffused, are to be received with
thanksgiving and consolation for they are perfectly suited to and useful for the needs of
the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2003) furthermore posits: “Grace is the first
and foremost gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the
gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate with his work, enabling us to collaborate in the
salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the church.”
The church in the Philippines came out with two (2) documents namely the
Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC) and the acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary
Council of the Philippines and continue to be revisited in our time to ensure the changes.
Catechism for Filipino Catholics, paragraph 1315, says that the Holy spirit inspires
us to live a truly Christian life. Not only does He strengthen us in our struggle against the
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power of evil, but also frees us by His interior transforming presence. When we are
troubled, in doubt, or in danger or giving in to temptation, we learn to pray, “May your
good spirit guide me on level
ground”.
The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, paragraph 214, says that it is the
Holy Spirit who continues and brings the work of Christ to perfection. It is the Holy Spirit
who impels each individual to proclaim the Gospel, and it is He who, in the depths of
conscience causes the word of salvation to be accepted and understood. He will ensure
continuity and identity of understanding in the midst of changing conditions and
circumstances. Through the Holy Spirit, the Gospel penetrates the heart of the world.
The Holy Spirit continues to journey with the early church in her mission, giving her
strength when faced with challenges, inspiration when she begins to lose hope, and
sanctifying her constantly so she remains steadfast and faithful to the mission entrusted
to her. And with the Holy Spirit, the Church continues to grow.
The Holy Spirit is also instrumental in the conversion of the heart as portrayed in the
life of Saul who was later renamed Paul after his conversion (see Acts 9:1-9, NABRE). In
the process of conversion, just like the different relationships we have in our time, we go
through different stages. Sometimes, we even go through denial or defiance because
we are unable to accept that what we do is wrong. But there is often an occurrence, an
experience or a kind of an encounter that serves as a turning point for us to work towards
transforming our wicked ways. So, we acknowledge, and we take time to pray and
reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to intervene in our lives. Just like what Ananias told Saul
before he regained his sight, “Brother Saul, The Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the
road as you were coming here- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with
the Holy Spirit.” In our Christian mission, therefore, let us not ignore the presence of the
Holy Spirit in our lives. That no matter how difficult life and the mission gets, God, the Holy
Spirit continues to journey with us.
The mission to continue with the mission of Jesus is never easy. We are often
confronted with challenges regardless of the time. Jesus and the early apostles were
faced with the actual dangers of death and persecution. And this continued on
throughout the more than 2000 years of the Church’s mission. In your time, you may not
encounter the same kind of threats as that of the early church but you are confronted
with modern challenges.
Go back to the points for reflection posted to you while you watched the video
“Paano Namatay ang mga Apostol ni Hesu-Kristo”. The questions were: What challenges
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do we encounter in our Christian missions today? Inspired and knowing that the Holy Spirit
journeys with us, how do we properly deal with these challenges?
In the last 20 years, the Philippines has witnessed the rise of Pentecostal
movements within Christianity (Wiegele, 2005; 2006). The birth of various charismatic
renewal communities (Alva 2016) in the grassroots and even in cities within the
Pentecostal movement is attributed to the rising desire to cultivate a deeper relationship
with God. The Philippine church notes that the charismatic movement has encouraged
lukewarm Christians to a renewed desire for God (CFC # 1270). The word “charismatic”
implies being spirit-filled. Even among professionals and high-profile personalities some
charismatic groups sprouted. The establishment of these communities is inspired either by
the desire to find God in the midst of life’s challenges to reform one’s life. Many seek
God’s consolation and assurance in the midst of suffering and uncertainty, in the midst
of poverty. Charismatic community life is primarily motivated by the outpouring of God’s
love and bestowal of the spiritual gifts on the day of Pentecost (Albrecht, 1992).
Membership in these communities take place through a form of spiritual baptism in the
Holy Spirit. This ritual of spiritual baptism is not sacramental in nature. It is carried out after
a Christian life Program seminar which is conducted during the weekend (usually on 12-
13 Saturdays) (Couples for Christ 2021). Through this spiritual ritual, the member is initiated
into the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit manifested in various gifts which include:
wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. These
gifts are essential for the proper conduct of life since these are useful for decision making,
discernment and service.
It can be said that the reception of the spiritual gifts by the community members
today reflects the original experience of the apostles when they received the gifts of the
Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The day of Pentecost recalls the time when the early church was
empowered to be witnesses of Christ. When they received the gifts, they were able to
perform activities which they were not used to doing before such as speaking in various
languages and performing healing upon the sick members. More than performing these
personal functions, the infusion of the spiritual gifts also empowered individuals to build
communities since every spiritual gift is given to support one another and promote
solidarity in charity. From the experiences of the early church, the Pentecost experience
served to strengthen communal life and service. The early Christian community lived in
fellowship with one another and shared things with those in need (See Acts 2:42-47).
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MISSIONARY RESPONSE
Like the disciples of Jesus, you, too, receive
from the Holy Spirit the gifts, most especially the gift of
courage, to face the temptations that surround you. It
takes courage to follow the rules of God’s Kingdom.
Here are some ways of showing this courage:
1. Have courage to learn about your faith and to
grow in Christian thoughts and attitudes. This 12 Disciples of Jesus. [n.d]
https://jesus.net/12-disciples-of-jesus/
can be done by having courage not to hold a
grudge, not to think badly of others, to think of others’ comfort before yours.
2. You can speak with courage when you avoid using obscene language and not to
tease or gossip others but be generous in your appreciation of others
3. You can act with courage when you choose the friends you go along with and
spend your leisure time with family or people in need and not be addicted to
online games. Those may be relaxing but they steal your quality time to work,
studies and to family and friends.
Inspired by and knowing that the Holy Spirit journeys with us. Express one of the
challenges you are facing today and how you are encouraged to take on this challenge
to carry out your Christian mission. Show it through drawing in an 8-panel "comic strip".
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See example illustration below:
Pentecost Story. (n.d.). https://www.twinkl.ie/resource/t-re-221-pentecost-story
Rubric:

Expectations
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(7 points)
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References
Alva, R. (2016, January 1). The Role of the Charismatic Renewal Movement in Reigniting
the Flame of Spirituality in Contemporary Christians. Brill.
https://brill.com/view/journals/pneu/38/1-2/article-p77_6.xml?language=en.
Albrecht, D. E. (1992, January 1). Pentecostal Spirituality: Looking Through the Lens of
Ritual. Brill. https://brill.com/view/journals/pneu/14/1/article-
p107_10.xml?language=en. CBCP.
Couples for Christ. 2021. Christian Life Program.

https://www.couplesforchrist.org.sg/evangelization/christian-life-programclp/
Valone, C. (1993). The Pentecost: Image and Experience in Late Sixteenth-Century

Rome. Sixteenth Century Journal, 24(4), 801. https://doi.org/10.2307/2541602
Wiegele, K. (2005). Investing in Miracles: El Shaddai and the Transformation of Popular

Catholicism in the Philippines. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
Wiegele, K. (2006). Catholics Rich in Spirit: El Shaddai. Philippine Studies, 495–520.

https://doi.org/10.13185/ps.v54i4.301
Williams, C. G. (1975). Glossolalia as a religious phenomenon: ‘Tongues’ at Corinth and

Pentecost. Religion, 5(1), 16–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-721x(75)90027-5
Images:
Pentecost Mural [Online Image]. (2018). The Holy Spirit speaks with saints’ lives.
https://denvercatholic.org/the-holy-spirit-speaks-with-saints-lives/
Pentecost Story [Online Image]. (n.d.). Twinkl. https://www.twinkl.ie/resource/t-re-221-

pentecost-story
12 Disciples of Jesus [Online Image]. (n.d). Jesus.net. https://jesus.net/12-disciples-of-

jesus/
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Lesson 2
GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE IN THE CHRISTIAN
COMMUNITIES TODAY

___ Read and reflected on the Prayer of Jesus at John 17: 1-26
IMPORTANT:
___ Accomplished and submitted Missionary Response (for each lesson)
___ Accomplished and submitted Quiet Time Journal for Finals.
___ Accomplished and submitted Religious Involvement Reflections per term.
___ Accomplished and submitted the Creative Journal Portfolio.
___ Accomplished and submitted all Major Examinations.

1. explain the importance of prayer in your Christian life;
2. demonstrate prayer life attitude in your life; and
3. draw familiarity with the diverse cultures and religions of the people in your
particular community.
CONTEXT
Read through the situation below entitled The Group Leader Dilemma and
understand the situation being shown. Let the following questions be your guide for your
reading:
1. Who are the two people you would choose to be included in your group? Why
did you pick these two people?
2. Were your answers based on past experiences with group activities? If yes, how
did you feel while working with them?
3. Do you think almost all established groups had the same problems and sentiments
as you did when they started forming their respective groups? Are these “birthing
pains” (initial problems) necessary for the growth of the group?
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Situation: In one of your subjects, your instructor assigned you to lead a group to
accomplish a project. Additionally, the instructor required every leader to pick two (2)
more people to be included in their group. After the instructor met with the leaders, the
groups started forming immediately. People who have known each other for so long
naturally grouped up together. While people who kept to themselves or have no specific
circles are waiting to be picked. You are left with 6 people to choose from:
Potential Groupmate #1: A knowledgeable person who has a great grasp of most
of the subject matter. Due to always being in the top, he/she has tendencies to
arrogantly criticize every move if they are less than what they consider as ‘perfect’.
Potential Groupmate #2: A very hardworking person who tries to give his/her own
share of the work. Being engaged in various extracurricular activities and groups, his/her
share would be given with delay and might not attend almost all meet-ups for the
activity.
Potential Groupmate #3: An optimistic and friendly person who always improves
the group’s morale (good motivation). Keeps ideas and opinions to him/herself because
he/she fears the potential conflicts in the group.
Potential Groupmate #4: An honest and straightforward person who tells you if the
group is doing good or not. Sometimes ideas are rudely shut down because he/she is not
known for being tactful (kind with words).
Potential Groupmate #5: A reliable person who meets deadlines and is on time
during meetings. Has tendencies to take the credits of other people’s work.
Potential Groupmate #6: A person who takes the initiative in the planning phase of
projects and activities. After a while becomes disinterested in the project and eventually
would laze off during meetings.
Note: Your choice of the 2 people reflects your previous experiences in the
community. You see from these people certain traits you want to uphold and entertain.
These life experiences indeed influence the manner you choose things.
INSPIRED WORD
Read John 17: 1-26 and be guided by the following questions:
1. What is the central theme of Jesus' prayer?
2. Among the things Jesus prayed for his people, which, do you think, is the most
needed by people of today? Why?
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The Prayer of Jesus
When Jesus had said this, he raised his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour
has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him
authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is
eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent,
Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to
do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world
began.
“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They
belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they
know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I
have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from
you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world
but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is
yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will
no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father,
keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we
are. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I
guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that
the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them
your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any
more than I belong to the world. Do not ask that you take them out of the world but that
you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong
to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the
world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also
may be consecrated in truth.
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“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their
word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also
may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the
glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent
me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I
wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you
gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father,
the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I
made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you
loved me may be in them and I in them.” (John 17: 1-26)
Jesus prays for his own so that they may

become the new people, that is dedicated to God,
this time according to the truth. He will pour over
them the Spirit of Truth, who has been promised to
Israel, and who will instruct us inwardly. By praying
for his disciples, Christ prayed for the Church (Mullins
2003) to whom He entrusted his own mission. In a
special way, Jesus prayed that all may be one in
God just as he dwells with God in the Spirit. By praying Kneeling in Prayer. (2018.).
http://www.clker.com/clipart-549491.html
for the unity of his people, Jesus desired the unity of the
believing community, the Church (Martin & Wright 2015).
Like the early and today’s Christians, the details you are offered dictate how you
view your group. With new people joining Christian communities, the group continuously
struggles not to be derailed from its founding goal. Jesus prayed that the truth would still
prevail through the test of time and the journey of his followers. This final lesson invites us
to view the community given by its founders as a growing one and challenges us,
Christians, to actively participate in its continuous development.
CHURCH TEACHING
The Second Vatican Council was called by Pope John XXIII, now St. John XXXIII
sets out 3 general purposes for the council namely:
1. Spiritual renewal for the life of the Church;
2. An updating (aggiornamento) of its official attitudes and approaches; and
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3. The promotion of unity among Christians.
The term that St. John XXIII employed to capture his agenda for Vatican II was
“aggiornamento”, an Italian word which means “bringing up to date”. The word also
means being open and being renewed. Thus, aggiornamento envisions a profound inner
transformation (not only external changes) and renewal of communities.
The endeavor demands a second principle: ressourcement (transposing the
French meaning to its English equivalent). This French word expresses a return to the
sources of faith (“Ad Fontes”: ex. Scripture, Tradition, Church Fathers) and integrating into
contemporary ecclesiology. By going back to the sources, the Church can move
forward. Aggiornamento and ressourcement are the two foundational pillars that guided
the four sessions of the second Vatican Council. (Echeverria 2014) They also guide all
efforts today to truly Christ’s church, to be the holy people of God. (Kroeger, 2021)
The principles mentioned above make the Second Vatican Council God’s way of
opening the Church’s door to the world. The Church was opened for more dialogue with
the different realities/situations in the world for the effective spread or proclamation of
the Kingdom of God. Examples are the use of vernacular language, inculturation, and
the need for the active participation of the Laity and others.
Moreover, heeding the call of the Second Vatican Council and in response to the
developments in world history and reading signs of the times, the Church in the Philippines
responded with its inculturated response to the realities in the local church. The Philippine
church discerned her renewed role in relation to these realities and articulated it in the
Acts and Decrees of Second Plenary Council of the Philippines. The Church in the
Philippines was not an exemption from the realities in the Church before Vatican II. The
effect of this in the Philippine Church is presented by PCP II in the Lights and Shadows
(#8-33).
Since the establishment of the Philippine Church during the Spanish occupation,
the spirit of true Catholicism or a true Christian mindset remains a big challenge until
today among Filipinos. Many are still “unchurched” (see CFC #172)- those who remain
away from the life of the church for some reasons, others are not well catechized, still
others are not well educated about the Church’s doctrine. Many Filipinos are content
with interpreting the faith in their limited understanding though their deep faith. These
interpretations often find life in active practices of popular religiosity/devotion.
Some special concerns also exist such as the proliferation of different sects which
follow extreme personal interpretations of beliefs, the rampant practice of graft and
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corruption, the elitist group of political powers who perpetuate their status in their family
circle, the big gap between the rich and the poor, and many others.
Like the Church that is dynamic and continuously updating itself, you are called
to participate in this renewal. You can do this by updating ourselves with the
contemporary issues in our church, involve in the parish activities and volunteer your
talents and skills most especially in making the liturgy active and vibrant.
Throughout its life, the Church encountered many difficulties and got through
them. As discussed above, the Church is still facing plenty of challenges and one of them
is popular religiosity.
The Pontifical Council for
Culture (1999) paragraph 28 affirmed
that popular religiosity is an illustration of a
genuine inculturation of faith, a harmonious
blend of faith and liturgy, feelings and art,
and the recognition of our (Christian) identity
in local traditions. Furthermore, it is the
evidence of the osmosis that takes place
between the innovative power of the Gospel
and the deepest levels of culture, that
Praying people outside the Church. (2021).
culture which needs constant discernment, so https://www.southworld.net/philippines-catholic-
that its genuine spiritual values may gradually church-looking-forward-to-the-future/
be brought to fruition in Christ and the inauthentic Christian expressions purified.

One neglected issue PCP II focused in its work on renewal is worship. It is on this
account that guidelines are provided on popular religiosity in our times.
A renewed life of worship will also mean the critical and fervent use of popular
religious practices. These religious practices are rich in values. They manifest a thirst for
God and enable people to be generous and sacrificing in order to witness their faith.
These practices show a deep awareness of the attributes of God’s fatherhood,
providence, loving and constant presence. They engender attitudes of patience, the
sense of the Cross in daily life, detachment, openness to others and devotion.
But we need to foster these popular religious practices in such a way that they do
not lead to the distortion of religion or remain at the level of superficial form of worship
but become rather expressions of faith. We must continue to foster our devotion to the
Blessed Virgin Mary including the saints but we must make sure that these devotions are
seen in relationship with, and in subordination to, Christ, the one Mediator between God
and the human kind. In practice the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary seem to
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preoccupy the attention of many of the faithful more than Christ does. Our pastoral
practice must ensure that the Catholic religion does not become saints or Mary-centered
but must always remain Christ-centered. (PCP II 172-174)
MISSIONARY RESPONSE
"The church is a growing community." It is growing in terms of population, its needs
and issues, and its diversity. Due to rising socio-economic issues and challenges,
communities need to keep up with the changes. We cannot remain indifferent to the
saddening state of our environment while keeping our faith (see Laudato Si’ paragraph
nos. 63, 64, 216, 220-21). The action of the Vatican II reminds us that living the faith also
means that our faith must be relevant to the community we live in. How can our faith
become relevant if we fail to act on certain community needs? Regardless of religion,
each one is expected to do his/her share in building their community. The role of the Spirit
is to build communities. In this regard, each one has a moral responsibility to contribute
to the building of the community in fellowship and communal support.
Diversity in culture and language, in histories and heritage, in mindset and look,
and in religious affiliations and confessions are given in our present situation. That is why
the Second Vatican Council endeavored to implement “Unity in diversity” and departed
from the old principle of “Unity in uniformity” prior to Vatican II. This shift led to several
changes in the life of the church and articulation of its teachings.
1. As a member of an evolving and highly diverse community, how can you
concretely aid or contribute to the community’s development? Briefly describe
your action and briefly explain the significance of it.
2. In view of the challenge posed by diversity, what concrete actions can you
propose or do in terms of the following diverse contexts: (kindly write your answers
in the third column under Proposed action as solution)
Context of diversity Potential problem Proposed action as

solution
a. Diversity in language and Confusion and competition instead
culture of collaboration
b. Diversity in religious beliefs Tension between religious
communities and misunderstanding
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Rubric:

Expectations
(7 points)
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Page 129 of 136
References
Echeverria, E. (2014, July 26). Ressourcement, Aggiornamento, and Vatican II in

Ecumenical Perspective. https://www.hprweb.com/2014/07/ressourcement-
aggiornamento-and-vatican-ii-in-ecumenical-perspective/
Kroeger, J. (2021, July 15). An “ASIAN” Dialogue Decalogue Principles of Interreligious

Dialogue from Asia’s Bishops. https://www.lst.edu/community/article-
archives/353-an-qasianq-dialogue-decalogue-j-kroeger-mm
Francis, Laudato Si' (24 May 2015).

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-
francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html
Martin, Francis and William Wright IV. (2015). The gospel of John. Baker Academic.
Mullins, Michael. (2003). The gospel of John: a commentary. Columbia Press.
Pontifical Council for Culture, Towards a pastoral Approach to Culture (Vatican City:
Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1999), no. 28.
Published and distributed by Paulines Pub. House. (1992). Acts and decrees of the
Second Plenary Council of the Philippines: held at the Holy Apostles Seminary,
Makati, Metro Manila from 20 January-17 February 1991.
Images:
Kneeling in Prayer [Online Image]. (2018). Clicker.com. http://www.clker.com/clipart-

549491.html
Praying people outside the Church. [Online image]. (2021). Philippines- 500 years of
Christianity- Looking forward to the future.
https://www.southworld.net/philippines-catholic-church-looking-forward-to-the-
future/
Page 130 of 136
CFE 101: GOD JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE

MAJOR EXAMINATIONS
General Instructions:
1. Read and answer each question in five to six sentences.
2. Write answer on the space provided.
3. Use the attached rubric for your guidance.
Rubric:
DESCRIPTION 1 DESCRIPTION 2 DESCRIPTION 3 VALUE
CLARITY & CONCRETENESS RELEVANCE AUTHENTICITY Total
Score
The essay is very specific, The essay is relevant to the The essay clearly expresses
well formulated, and themes found in the a connection between
written comprehensively. lessons about God topic and the life. Concise 10
(3 points) journeying with the in its personal experience
people. or opinion of the student.
The essay is more or less The essay has some The essay reflects some
concrete and sufficiently connection to the themes personal thoughts and 8
worded. found in the lessons about phrases.
(2 points) God journeying with the (4 points)
people.
(2 points)
The essay is vague and the The essay is somewhat The essay is limited in
formulation is confusing. hardly connected to the attempt to reflect personal
(2 points) themes found in the thinking or feeling. 6
lessons about God (2 points)
journeying with the
people.
(2 points)
The essay is unclear, shows The essay can hardly be The essay makes a
little effort, and connected to the themes ‘recycled’ impression, 4
incomplete. found in the lessons about lacks roots in personal
(1 point) God journeying with the thinking or feeling.
people. (2 point)
(1 point)
The essay is lacking effort The essay has no The essay is lacking in
in words and no connection to the themes effort to connect personal 2
organization of thoughts. found in the lessons about thinking or feeling or
(0 point) God journeying with the experience.
people. (1 point)
(1 point)
No answer No answer No answer 0
Page 131 of 136
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
Coverage: General Introduction on Faith, Module 1, and Module 2 (Lessons 1 and 2)
1. There are rules or guidelines in your own home. These were formulated for good
reasons. Could these reasons also be related when Pope Francis said, "faith is a
relationship, not a set of rules"? What do you say? (10 points)
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2. The meaning of the Bible requires proper assistance. Who are two (2) people in your
life that can best assist you to understand the Bible, and why? (10 points)
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3. Who among the prophets can you personally relate yourself to? Cite the prophet and
explain why? Use an example to support your claim. (10 points)
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Page 133 of 136
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Coverage: Module 2 (Lesson 3) and Module 3 (Lessons 1 and 2)
1. From the Sacred Writings (Ketuvim), give a passage that you think guide your life as a
Louisian, and why? (10 points)
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2. John the Baptist’s ministry was marked by humility, repentance and selflessness as
clearly stated in John 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease”. Discuss how you can
apply these traits in your dealings with people of different perspectives/opinions from
you? (10 points)
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3. Mary and John the Baptist exemplified plenty of virtues as portrayed in the different
stories about them. As a person, even though not necessarily a Roman Catholic, we
can surely learn from their actions. Hearing about their stories, what is the ultimate
Page 134 of 136
virtue of Mary and John the Baptist that struck you the most and share how you as a
future professional in your chosen field can exemplify this virtue. (10 points)
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Page 135 of 136
FINAL EXAMINATION
Coverage: Module 3 (Lesson 3) and Module 4 (Lessons 1 and 2)
1. The Public ministry of Jesus is composed of his teaching, healing, and table fellowship.
Provide two (2) concrete examples related to each ministry that you can do as a) a
student, b) a member of a family and c) a member of a community. Also, provide a
discussion on how these activities can be an instrument that radiate God’s Kingdom.
(10 points)
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2. The Kingdom of God that Jesus is referring to is about our commitment to the
transformation of our human communities and environment. Is the Community Pantry
and the planting of trees and vegetables considered examples for this? Discuss your
answer. (10 points)
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Page 136 of 136
3. As Christian disciples, cite two (2) concrete ways on how you can be “Jesus” in the
society we live in today, especially in this time of pandemic. (10 points)
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COURSE LEARNING PACKETS Document Code FM-STL-014

Saint Louis University Revision No. 01

We thank you for the opportunity to be part

The CICM Philippine Province Educational Vision and Mission

Inspired by the historical commitment and dedication to provide a Catholic

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

PEOPLE church leaders during difficult times in

REF SEA-CFE 101-2021

I. Course Title: God Journeys with His People

II. Course Overview

MODULE 1: Introduction to the Sacred Scripture

MODULE 3: God, the Son, journeys with His people

MODULE 4: God, the Holy Spirit, journeys with His People

III. Course Study Guide

IV. Study Schedule

Week Topic Learning Outcomes Activities

B. MODULE 1 B. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED SCRIPTURES

Week 2 A. THE SACRED SCRIPTURE AS STORIES OF Context

same to another person. Missionary Response

Week 3 B. INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED Context:

Week 5 & 6 Lesson 2: Nevi’im

Week 8 Lesson 3: Ketuvim Context:

MODULE 3 GOD, THE SON, JOURNEYS WITH HIS PEOPLE

Week 11 & 12 Lesson 2: John the Baptist: The Forerunner Context:

the Kingdom of God.

Weeks 17 Lesson 2: The Christian Communities Today Context:

3. draw familiarity with the diverse cultures Church Teaching

SCHEDULE SCHOOL VENUE

September 9, Saint Aloysius

WEEKLY AND SUNDAY REFLECTIONS

a. Type of Religious activity (e.g. Sunday Mass, Bible Study)

d. Where or which platform? (e.g: St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, Facebook

Week 10: OCTOBER 24

Week 11: OCTOBER 31

Week 12: NOVEMBER 7

Week 13: NOVEMBER 14

Week 14: NOVEMBER 21

Week 15: NOVEMBER 28

c. Means of Participation: (Actual or Virtual?)

Week 16: DECEMBER 5

Week 17: DECEMBER 12

Week 18: DECEMBER 19

Prelim Grade (PG)

Midterm Grade (MG)

Tentative Final Grade (TFG)

Final Grade = (PG 33.33% + MG 33.33%+ TFG 33.33%) = 100%

VI. Technological Tools

VII. Contact Information

MRS. WENDY B. EUSTAQUIO

Name of Student: Juan Dela Cruz

COURSE REQUIREMENT in CFE 101:

III. Parts and Sequence of the Portfolio:

8. Module 3, Lesson 3: Jesus’ Event in His Public Ministry

IV. Specific Guidelines:

Rubric for the Portfolio

Points Concepts Reflection Overall

36-40 All information and/or Reflections are Honest,

31-35 All information and/or Significant statements Evidence of

26-30 Information and/or Reflections are made Responses or

Signed: _______________________ Date: