Catholic Faith Formation Resources

There are three critical movements that we celebrate from "Good Friday" through "Easter Sunday": the first is the passion, crucifixion, and death of Jesus; the second is the "empty" tomb and the "resurrection" of Jesus "from the dead" on the "third day"; and the third is the "appearances" of Jesus to others after his death and resurrection. 1 Many who attend Easter Mass or other Christian services today have a preconceived understanding of the "Easter story" based on the teachings and rituals of their respective faith communities. They may generally be unaware of various differences in this story as recorded in the writings of Paul and the four Gospels. 2 Instead, the narratives found in these writings are generally merged and harmonized together and presented as a unified story that conveys the theological meaning intended by the Catholic Church or other Christian faith traditions. Moreover, this...

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34; cf. Psalm 22:2) The Roman execution of Jesus of Nazareth by crucifixion was not unique. This form of execution was used by the Babylonians, Persians, Alexander the Great, the Romans, and other powers of domination for centuries, both before and after the time of Jesus. It is conservatively estimated that the Romans alone crucified tens of thousands of people, until crucifixion was finally abolished by Rome in the fourth century. One of the purposes of execution by crucifixion was to publicly and dramatically demonstrate what happens to people who oppose or challenge the powers and systems of domination. Jesus was condemned for being the "King of the Jews," who witnessed to the the Kingdom of God, which placed him directly in opposition to the Emperor and the Roman Empire. Jesus's fate was thus sealed. Movies, such as the Passion of Christ , * sought to visually portray and emphasize the bruta...

OPENING PRAYER Loving and merciful God, I am so aware of my sins and weaknesses. But as painfully aware of my faults as I am, Let me also remember your tender love, your gentle and limitless forgiveness. I come before you filled with pain and guilt but look into your eyes and see the forgiving love I so long for in my life. Help me to forgive the same way. Teach me to love as you love. Amen. Source: Online Ministries, Creighton University "CONTEMPLATIVE AND CENTERING PRAYER" "Be Still and Know That I Am God" (Psalm 46:10) "When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6) How often do you rest quietly in the presence of God? There are three basic expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative, and contemplative. These are practiced formally and informally, personally and communally, through popular piety, and the li...

Prayer for Serenity God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Source: Attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr "LECTIO DIVINA" "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 How often do you read and reflect on Scripture? Another ancient, prayer practice is Lectio Divina (“Divine Reading”). Basically, it is a spiritual reading, medita...

OPENING PRAYER To Come Home to Yourself May all that is unforgiven in you be released. May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities. May all that is unlived in you blossom into a future graced with love. Amen. Source: John O'Donohue (d. 2008), To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Invocations and Blessings "THE DAILY EXAMEN" "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Lk 23:34) An unexamined life is not worth living” —Socrates Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) How often do you reflect on your life? An ancient, spiritual practice found in most religions applies our gift and ability of self-reflection to consider or review our relationship with God. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, taught in his Spiritual Exercises that we can find God in all things...