VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI SCHOOL

Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary

Poctoy, Odiongan, Romblon
S.Y. 20223-2024

NAME: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONCEPTS CLE 4 – LESSON 1 – Q4

“Yet if any of you suffer
Objectives:
as a Christian, do not
WE LIVE OUT THE consider it a disgrace.”
1. Describe the true meaning of happiness. BEATITUDES
2. Seek for the happiness that comes from being with God.
(1 Peter 4:16)
3. Pray for the grace to follow the Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes speak of God’s blessings for us. If we follow these beatitudes, we shall find true and
lasting happiness. Things events and persons make us happy. But God gives us the greatest happiness.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT

(Matthew 5:1-12)

One day, Jesus gave a very important talk on a hillside, He taught the people how to have real
happiness. This what He told them.
Happy are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of God is theirs.
Happy are the sorrowing; they shall be comforted.
Happy are the gentle; they will inherit the earth.
Happy are those who hunger and thirst for justice; they will be satisfied.
Happy are those who are merciful; they will receive mercy.
Happy are the single – hearted; they will see God.
Happy are the peacemakers; they will be called children of God.
Happy are the persecuted for the sake of justice; the reign of God is theirs.
Happy are you all when you are reproach and persecuted because of me. Rejoice and be glad for your
reward is great in heaven.

The people were surprised. Instead of saying that the tough people who always got their way were
happy, Jesus said it was those who were gentle and weak and who depended on God who are really happy.
Instead of saying the rich were happy. He said it was the poor. In His sermon, Jesus had turned everything
upside down!
The Beatitudes are the blessings spoken by our Lord at the Sermon on The Mount. Through the
Beatitudes, Jesus gives the highest moral and spiritual rules for the members of God’s Kingdom. He shows that
membership in God’s kingdom is a gift that one must work for.

Jesus assures us that those who obey the laws of God will be happy in His kingdom. He tells that all
who build their hopes in God will receive the greatest reward of all – happiness with God in heaven. Through
the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches that to be truly happy, we must serve and help the sick, the poor, the oppressed
and the unfortunate. Following the Beatitudes is not easy for it is the complete opposite of worldly standards.
However, it brings the greatest blessing of all- the blessing of God’s kingdom.

The Gospel of Matthew and Luke contain these beatitudes. “Blessed” in this event means “happy”.
The first Beatitude speaks of the “poor” and the poor in spirit.” The first word implies those who are
materially poor while the second one means those people who believe that all things come from God and
nothing comes from their efforts alone. They always think of others for the sake of God.

Those who “hunger” are those who are materially poor because of deprivation or because of the lack
of consideration that should be given to them by others. They are those who seek help so that they can live a
decent life.
 “They who mourn” are those who are suffering because of the evils in the world. They are those who
are ignored, unaccepted, and looked down upon by others as though they were not human beings like them.
They exist and live with others but they are discriminated against.

Jesus addresses His preaching to those people who are poor, who mourn, and who hunger and thirst.
They live in miserable situations. They are called blessed, not because of their virtue or openness to the
kingdom of God but because they are poor, God has favored them. The poor, the mourners and the hungry
are called blessed not because they will be comforted and satisfied one day but because this has already
arrived with the appearance of Jesus.
God’s rule to live and be happy will be satisfied if we always seek His assistance to make us understand
His message.

The Beatitudes show us how to carry out or practice Jesus Great Commandments of love. Here are
some specific acts we can do to follow each Beatitudes.

BEATITUDE VALUE

1. Happy are the poor in spirit the kingdom of God We must put our trust in God, not on material
is theirs. things.

2. Happy are the sorrowing; they shall be We must bear our problems and hardship patiently.
comforted. We should not blame God for our troubles.

3. Happy are the gentle; they will inherit the land. We must be humble in everything we do. We must
learn to control out temper.

4. Happy are they who hunger and thirst for justice; We must help those who are in need. This does not
they will be satisfied. mean only the poor, but also helping comfort the
lonely and the sad.

5. Happy are they who show mercy; mercy shall be We must be just and forgiving. We must be
theirs. thoughtful and kind.

6. Happy are the single – hearted for they shall see We must love God with our whole heart, whole
God. mind, whole soul.

7. Happy are the peacemakers; they shall be called We must love those who are difficult to love. We
children of God. should try to patch up the quarrels of our friends.

8. Happy are those persecuted for holiness’ sake; We must be willing to do what is right even if we
the kingdom of God is theirs. have to suffer for it.

“For we are His

Objectives: Handiwork, created in Christ
4. Explain what it means to be poor in spirit.
WE PUT OUR
Jesus for the good works that
1.LESSON
How did 2
you 5. Trust God completely. TRUST IN
: feel upon seeing your family waiting? _______________________________________________________________
God has prepared in advance,
6. Pray for the grace to be simple and to GOD that we should live in them.”
detach oneself from material things.
Ephesians 2:10

God our Father will never fail us. Jesus teaches us that God will always provide and care for us more
than his other creations. This is the reason why we put our trust in God.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

(Luke 16:19-31)
Once there were two men. One was very rich. The other was very poor. The poor man named Lazarus
was ugly and covered with red sores. He could do nothing but lie on the ground and beg in front of the rich
man’s gate. He begged for the crumbs which might be left over the rich man’s meals.
 But the rich man paid no attention to poor and needy people like Lazarus. He lived selfishly. He wore
fine clothes, spent great amounts of money, went to parties and grew fat. When Lazarus died, the angels came
and carried him away. They laid him in Abraham’s arms. There he felt no more pain. He was never hungry
again.

But when the rich man died, he was sent to the place where evil people belong. There he suffered
terribly. From where he was, the rich man could look up and see Father Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his
side. He said Father Abraham! have pity on me, please! send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and
cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.

Abraham said, 'my child, don’t you remember? during your life you had so many good things, while
Lazarus had nothing! Now you’re being punished. Besides, between you and us, there is a great abyss so that
those who might wish to cross from here to you cannot do so; neither can anyone from your side cross to us.

The rich man answered, well then, could you send Lazarus to warn my five brothers? Abraham replied,
they have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ The rich man said, No, Father Abraham, if
someone would only go to them from the dead, then they would repent. If they do not listen to Moses and
the prophets, they would not be convinced even if someone would rise from the dead.

The parable illustrates that eternal happiness depends on our sharing what we have with the poor. The
story does not condemn riches but the abuse of these riches. Wealth should be used properly to help the
needy neither does the story mean that the poor automatically go to heaven. To win eternal happiness, we
must not attach to wealth and instead have full trust in God.

Happy are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of God is theirs.

The poor in spirit are those who may either be rich or poor in material wealth but are not proud and
selfish. They know that all things come from God and not from their efforts alone. They also know that having
a lot of material things is not a guarantee for lasting happiness.

Their goal is God alone and his kingdom is their reward. People who are poor in spirit care about those
in need. They help others even if by helping them they have to give up something they themselves need.

Happy are the sorrowing; they shall be comforted.

The sorrowing are those who suffer because of the evils of this world. Some of them feel ignored or
discriminated against. The sorrowing seek the help of God in trying to change the things that bring sadness as
well as those that make people suffer. They find meaning in the suffering they must endure if they follow Jesus
way.
Are you like the rich man in the parable? Do you ignore the people who need your help? Do you refuse
to give at least used clothes and toys to the poor and the abandoned? If you are like him, you still have a
chance to change yourself. You can change and become poor in spirit by doing the following:

1. Be humble 4. Be patient
2. Be kind 5. Be merciful
3. Be fair
“Light downs for the just, and
Objectives: goodness for the honest of
1. Discuss what it means to be merciful. WE ARE heart.”
LESSON 3: FORGIVING
2. Follow the Golden rule.
Psalm 97:11
3. Thanks the Lord for his mercy and pray
for the grace to follow the Golden rule.
Jesus teaches that each person is our brother / sister. Therefore, we should always be happy and eager to help
anyone, especially those who are in need.
Blessings from Giving
Read the story below and find out its important message.
 Three young men were once given three kernels of corn each by a wise old sage, who admonished them to go
out into the world and use the corn to bring themselves good fortune.

the first young man put his three kernels of corn into a bowl of hot broth and ate them. The second planted his
three kernels of corn. Within a few months, he had three stalks of corn. He took the ears of corn from the stalks, boiled
them, and had enough corn for three meals. The third also planted his three kernels of corn, but when his three stalks of
corn produced, he stripped one of the stalks and replanted all the of the seeds in it, gave the second stalk of corn of corn
to a sweet maiden, and ate the third.

His one full stalk’s worth of replanted corn kernels gave him 200 stalks of corn! and the kernels of these he
continued to replant, setting aside only a bare minimum to eat. He eventually planted a hundred acres of corn. With his
fortune, he not only won the hand of the sweet maiden but purchased the land owned by the sweet maiden’s father.
and he never hungered again.

Waiting for a Miracle

John 5:1-9
One day, Jesus visited a special gate in Jerusalem called Bethesda. Near that gate was a pool with large steps.
Many sick people lay on these steps. They were waiting for the water in the pool to move. They believe that sometimes
an angel of God comes and stirs the water. Whoever is the first one into the water the angel came, would get netter.

When Jesus passed by the pool, He saw sick people moaning and groaning. Some lay shriveled up and dying.
One man had been waiting thirty-eight years for the water to move. Jesus asked this man, “Do you want to get better?”
The sick man answered, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up.”

But that was not what Jesus had asked him. Jesus wanted to know if the man wanted to get better. Still, Jesus
said, “Get up. Pick up your bed and walk.” The man felt his body grow warm. All at once, the man was better. He picked
up his bed and began to walk!

The story you have just read shows the kindness and gentleness of Jesus. He sees there is no one to help the poor sick
man and so Jesus Himself helps the man. He shows his mercy by making the sick man well again. Through the story,
Jesus teaches that we should be kind and merciful even to people we do not know. One way to show that we are
merciful is to be kind even to someone who has done something wrong to us. If Jesus is kind and merciful, we should
also extend the same to others. Jesus reminds us further to be merciful through these Beatitudes:
 Happy are the gentle, they shall inherit the land.
 Happy are they who show mercy, mercy shall be theirs.
“Let those who live according
Objectives: to the rule receive peace
1. Articulate the meaning of the laws of WE OBEY THE and mercy.”
LESSON 4: the church.
LAWS OF THE
2. Grow in love of God and neighbor by
CHURCH Galatians 6:16
obeying church laws.
3. Pray for the strength to obey the laws
of the church.

WE OBEY THE LAWS OF THE CHURCH

The precepts of the Church deal with the moral and Christian life united with the Liturgy and nourished by it
(CCC 2048). By following the Church rules, we grow in love of God and love of neighbors.

Following rules helps us grow in love and harmony with one another.

An Angel Rescues Peter

Biblical Story:
(Acts of the Apostles 12:3-24)

During the early days of the church, many people including the king, did not understand the mission of Jesus.
King Herod was cruel to Jesus followers. He beheaded the apostle James and during the Festival of the Unleavened
Bread, King Herod told his soldiers to arrest Peter and have him thrown into prison to show his power.

Later, King Herod wanted to bring Peter to trial before the people. So, he ordered Peter’s cell to be secured by
chains. Inside his cell, two prison guards kept watch over him. Outside, other guards were posted. The night before the
trial, as Peter was sleeping, an angel suddenly stood by him and a light shone in the cell. The angel awakened Peter and
told him, “Get up quickly.”
 The chains fell from Peter’s wrists and the angel said, “Put on your belt and your sandals and follow me.” Peter
obeyed without realizing what was happening. He thought he was only seeing a vision. The two passed by the first
guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate which led out to the city. The door opened by itself and the two went
out.

Suddenly, the angel left and Peter recovered his senses. He said to himself, “Now, I know for certain that the
Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” Peter,
then, went to the house of Mary, the mother of John. Many people were gathered there in prayer. They were amazed to
see him out of prison and Peter explained what had happened. Then, Peter left and went to another place.

At daybreak, there was a great commotion among the soldiers in the prison. Herod commanded them to search
for Peter but they did not find him. Herod was later struck dead while addressing a crowd. With his death, the
persecution stopped. Meanwhile, the Word of God spread and people who listened to it increased and the church
continued to grow in faith. The early Christian community experienced persecution, yet they continued in their mission
of letting others know about the Good News of Salvation. Their faith in Jesus strengthen and sustained them.

Today, the Church is also strengthened and refreshed through our faith in Jesus. To keep the church strong and
growing, the pastoral authority of the church has set certain rules or guidelines. These guidelines are the basic
requirements which we must fulfill as members as members of the church. Known as Precepts or teaching of the
church, these guidelines are meant to guarantee the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort for
us, the faithful, to be able to achieve growth in love of God and neighbor (CCC 204). (cf CCC 2048)

“The Precepts of the church concern the moral and Christian life united with the liturgy and nourished by it”.
“There are many other laws or commandments of the Church. A complete collection of the Church’s laws is in
the Code of Canon Law.” (cf CCC 454)
What can we do to have at least the minimum in prayer and moral effort so we can develop growth in love of
God and of our neighbor? Here are a few suggestions listed under each law of the church.

1. Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy days of obligation.

2. Fast and do abstinence on appointed days.
to fast means to take only one full meal a day or eat only a little. (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday)
abstain means not to eat meat. (Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday).
3. Lead a sacramental life.
a. Go to confession at least once a year.
b. Receive Holy Communion frequently or at least during Easter.
4. Contribute to the support of the Church.
a. Contribute what you can to help take care of the needy.
b. Share your time, talents and friendship with one another.
5. Follow the marriage rules of the Church.
a. Take care of your family life for it is important in guiding you and protecting you and the rest of your family.
b. Help families that are having trouble in keeping their unity.
c. Be a good responsible member of your family.

 Help in the household chores.

 Use polite and kind words.
 Always pray for the members of your family

Aside from the acts listed under the laws of the church, we can grow in love of God and neighbor through the
following acts.
1. Study about the Good News of Jesus.
2. Reach out to other people.

LESSON 5: SAINT ANGELA GUERRERO

From her earliest years, Angela had a great devotion to Christ crucified. born in Seville, Spain in 1846,
she taught her fellow religious daughters in the Congregation of the cross that she founded to imitate the
poverty of Jesus crucified. in her community, the members were to live with the poor. They existed solely on
donations and the sisters were to receive alms with gratitude and humility.
 Angela’s nuns were called upon to work with the poor families, orphans and the sick. And they were to
educate children and adults in the fundamentals of the faith. all the poor were to receive from the Sisters
money, housing, clothing, medicine, and instruction. And everything was to be given with love.

Angela died on March 2, 1932 and she was canonized in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. Saint Angela’s life
teaches us that we should share generously with our brothers and sisters who are most in need.

SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE

Catherine was born in 1806 in Burgundy, France, the ninth of eleven children. She refused many offers
of marriage because of her love for God. One day when she entered a hospital run by the Sisters of Charity,
she received a vision in which Saint Vincent de Paul told her that God wanted her to work with the sick, and
she later joined the order.

On July 18, 1830, Catherine had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary who described to her a medal
which she wished struck. On one side it has the image of Our Lady, and the words, “O Mary, conceived
without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” On the other side are the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Our Lady told Catherine that whoever wears the medal would receive great graces. Later, it has
become known as the Miraculous Medal and its wearing and devotion has spread worldwide. Soon, an
association of the Miraculous Medal was formed. The association invites the members to greater holiness.

This life of holiness can be achieved by seeking the ways to true happiness – attending to pastoral and
spiritual needs, formation in Christian life and involvement in the apostolate of charity especially toward the
clergy and the abandoned.

Catherine died in 1876. We observe he feast day on November 28.