Never Forget Your Past
How Tradition Lives On (CCC 83)
What traditions do you celebrate?
When mentioning the tradition or traditions, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? (A good thing)
I – We never forget our past
1. Many of us celebrate traditions
a. Anniversaries
b. Family gatherings
c. School, sports or special events.
d. It could be lessons in a trade or in a special recipe.
2. There is something about these traditions we celebrate that give us good memories, create long lasting friendships, connects family, reconciles differences and more.
3. Traditions are meant to be kept and they are well guarded, because it draws us to unity. Breaking it frustrates the order of things – you can see it in the attitude and actions of the people.
4. We take our traditions seriously, almost borderline “sacred”. Could you imagine how we as Catholics take our Traditions? – It is truly “Sacred”.
5. We’ve been studying about our Catholic Tradition and its connection with Scripture (Both the Old Testament and later, the New Testament).
a. We’ve learned that tradition is “the living transmission of the message of the Gospel in the Church.” It was preached by the Apostles and later written with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, producing the Bible. This Tradition was handed down for generations through the successors of the Apostles and continues to be taught through our bishops.
b. It is important to keep in mind that the first Christians did not have a written New Testament. They only used the Old Testament and the Teachings of the Apostles that was handed down to them by way of Oral Tradition.
c. The first writing of the New Testament was the 1st & 2nd Letters of St. Paul to the Thessalonians between the years 50-51 A.D.
d. In the New Testament you will find passages that point or speak about Tradition.
Luke 1:1-4; St Luke tells his friend Theophilus that he is putting to writing what was given to him about the story of Jesus.
John 20:30-31; St. John tells us that there were many signs and wonders not written in the book.
1 Thessalonians 2:13; St. Paul tells the Christians of Thessalonica that the Word of God was preached to them.
Bible verses that point to Oral Tradition.
2nd John 12: & 3rd John 13: St. John would talk to his friend about Christ than to write, because it’s to much to tell.
II – So many traditions – making sense of it all.
1. The Catechism teaches us that there are many traditions that make up our Sacred Tradition and can “be distinguished from various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions, born in the Churches over time.”
CCC 1202 The diverse liturgical traditions have arisen by very reason of the Church's mission. Churches of the same geographical and cultural area came to celebrate the mystery of Christ through particular expressions characterized by the culture: in the tradition of the "deposit of faith," in liturgical symbolism, in the organization of fraternal communion, in the theological understanding of the mysteries, and in various forms of holiness. Through the liturgical life of a local church, Christ, the light and salvation of all peoples, is made manifest to the particular people and culture to which that Church is sent and in which she is rooted. the Church is catholic, capable of integrating into her unity, while purifying them, all the authentic riches of cultures.
CCC 2041 - 2043 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. the obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:
The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.") requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers together on the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord.
The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year.") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.
The third precept (“You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.
The fourth precept (“You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.") completes the Sunday observance by participation in the principal liturgical feasts which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.
The fifth precept (“You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts; they help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.
The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities
CCC 2684 In the communion of saints, many and varied spiritualities have been developed throughout the history of the churches. The personal charism of some witnesses to God's love for men has been handed on, like "the spirit" of Elijah to Elisha and John the Baptist, so that their followers may have a share in this spirit. A distinct spirituality can also arise at the point of convergence of liturgical and theological currents, bearing witness to the integration of the faith into a particular human environment and its history. The different schools of Christian spirituality share in the living tradition of prayer and are essential guides for the faithful. In their rich diversity they are refractions of the one pure light of the Holy Spirit.
2. These traditions are adapted to work in different churches; a parish a diocese or an archdiocese, in a state, country and throughout the world.
3. Through these traditions (minor) our “Great Tradition is “expressed”
4. Keep this in mind: minor traditions “can be retained, modified, or even abandoned under the guidance of the Church’s Magisterium.”
a. What is the Magisterium? It is “the living, office of the Church, whose task it is to give as authentic interpretation of the word of God, whether in its written form (Sacred Scripture), or in the form of Tradition. The Magisterium ensures the Church’s fidelity to the teaching of the Apostles in matters of faith and morals. (CCC Glossary)”
5. In this way the Church continues to preserve our traditions through Sacred Tradition, by way of the successors of the Apostles – the bishops. This is how the Gospel is proclaimed and lived out. Together with the bishops, we becomes “the light of the world.” (Matt 5:14)
What traditions do you celebrate?
When mentioning the tradition or traditions, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? (A good thing)
I – We never forget our past
1. Many of us celebrate traditions
a. Anniversaries
b. Family gatherings
c. School, sports or special events.
d. It could be lessons in a trade or in a special recipe.
2. There is something about these traditions we celebrate that give us good memories, create long lasting friendships, connects family, reconciles differences and more.
3. Traditions are meant to be kept and they are well guarded, because it draws us to unity. Breaking it frustrates the order of things – you can see it in the attitude and actions of the people.
4. We take our traditions seriously, almost borderline “sacred”. Could you imagine how we as Catholics take our Traditions? – It is truly “Sacred”.
5. We’ve been studying about our Catholic Tradition and its connection with Scripture (Both the Old Testament and later, the New Testament).
a. We’ve learned that tradition is “the living transmission of the message of the Gospel in the Church.” It was preached by the Apostles and later written with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, producing the Bible. This Tradition was handed down for generations through the successors of the Apostles and continues to be taught through our bishops.
b. It is important to keep in mind that the first Christians did not have a written New Testament. They only used the Old Testament and the Teachings of the Apostles that was handed down to them by way of Oral Tradition.
c. The first writing of the New Testament was the 1st & 2nd Letters of St. Paul to the Thessalonians between the years 50-51 A.D.
d. In the New Testament you will find passages that point or speak about Tradition.
Luke 1:1-4; St Luke tells his friend Theophilus that he is putting to writing what was given to him about the story of Jesus.
John 20:30-31; St. John tells us that there were many signs and wonders not written in the book.
1 Thessalonians 2:13; St. Paul tells the Christians of Thessalonica that the Word of God was preached to them.
Bible verses that point to Oral Tradition.
2nd John 12: & 3rd John 13: St. John would talk to his friend about Christ than to write, because it’s to much to tell.
II – So many traditions – making sense of it all.
1. The Catechism teaches us that there are many traditions that make up our Sacred Tradition and can “be distinguished from various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions, born in the Churches over time.”
CCC 1202 The diverse liturgical traditions have arisen by very reason of the Church's mission. Churches of the same geographical and cultural area came to celebrate the mystery of Christ through particular expressions characterized by the culture: in the tradition of the "deposit of faith," in liturgical symbolism, in the organization of fraternal communion, in the theological understanding of the mysteries, and in various forms of holiness. Through the liturgical life of a local church, Christ, the light and salvation of all peoples, is made manifest to the particular people and culture to which that Church is sent and in which she is rooted. the Church is catholic, capable of integrating into her unity, while purifying them, all the authentic riches of cultures.
CCC 2041 - 2043 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. the obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:
The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.") requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers together on the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord.
The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year.") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.
The third precept (“You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.
The fourth precept (“You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.") completes the Sunday observance by participation in the principal liturgical feasts which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.
The fifth precept (“You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts; they help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.
The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities
CCC 2684 In the communion of saints, many and varied spiritualities have been developed throughout the history of the churches. The personal charism of some witnesses to God's love for men has been handed on, like "the spirit" of Elijah to Elisha and John the Baptist, so that their followers may have a share in this spirit. A distinct spirituality can also arise at the point of convergence of liturgical and theological currents, bearing witness to the integration of the faith into a particular human environment and its history. The different schools of Christian spirituality share in the living tradition of prayer and are essential guides for the faithful. In their rich diversity they are refractions of the one pure light of the Holy Spirit.
2. These traditions are adapted to work in different churches; a parish a diocese or an archdiocese, in a state, country and throughout the world.
3. Through these traditions (minor) our “Great Tradition is “expressed”
4. Keep this in mind: minor traditions “can be retained, modified, or even abandoned under the guidance of the Church’s Magisterium.”
a. What is the Magisterium? It is “the living, office of the Church, whose task it is to give as authentic interpretation of the word of God, whether in its written form (Sacred Scripture), or in the form of Tradition. The Magisterium ensures the Church’s fidelity to the teaching of the Apostles in matters of faith and morals. (CCC Glossary)”
5. In this way the Church continues to preserve our traditions through Sacred Tradition, by way of the successors of the Apostles – the bishops. This is how the Gospel is proclaimed and lived out. Together with the bishops, we becomes “the light of the world.” (Matt 5:14)
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