Angelo veriñaIII-AProject In E.P.

LESSON ONE: “The Apostolic Foundation of the Church and the Church Beginnings”

READING THE MESSAGE OF THE LESSON

“Jesus Appoints the Head of the Church”

Jesus asked the disciples if who is the Son of Man. Then the disciples replied many names like John the Baptizer, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But then, Jesus asked them now, “Who do you say am I?” Simon Peter answered that he is the Messiah, the son of the Living God. It was then when Jesus blessed Simon and changed his name into Peter which means “rock” and on that rock He will build his Holy Church. After a long time of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, when the disciples went fishing, Jesus appeared to them and they all caught a large fish. They cooked the fish and ate it to themselves. After eating their meal, Jesus asked Simon Peter if he loves Him. And Simon replied that he really love Jesus. Then after all this, Jesus asked Simon to feed His lambs and tend His sheep.

- Mt. 16: 13-19; Jn. 21: 15-17

LEARNING THE MESSAGE OF THE LESSON

“Jesus Founds His Church”

Jesus proclaimed the twelve disciples and made Peter the head of it, which will all be the ones to preach the Good News and have the power to teach, sanctify, rule, and guide the members of the Holy Church.

At Simon’s confession to Jesus, he was told to be the Rock where He will build His Church. “Rock” in here means “Petros” in Greek which makes the name Peter.

The changing of Simon’s name to peter signifies the following:

The special role

Mission

PowerPeter was also entrusted by Jesus to the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Being the keeper of these keys, he has the power:

To open and close

To bind and to loose

To allow and forbid

To decide concerning the membership in the Church

And whatever he prohibits on earth will be prohibited in heaven and whatever he permits on earth will be permitted in heaven

He also has the great responsibility to:

Govern

Teach

Sanctify the Church

“A Profession of Atoning Love”

When Peter professed his love to Jesus, with every “Yes” as his reply, Jesus tells him to take care of His people, feed His lambs and tend His sheep. The word “tend” here means:

Govern

Guard

Attend

“Succession in the Church”

To continue the mission of the apostles, they must choose successors of the Church:

1.) POPE- He is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and

of the whole company of faithful. He has the full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power that He can always exercise unhindered.

Bishop of Rome

Peter’s successor

The Vicar of Christ

Pastor of the entire Church

2.) COLLEGE OR BODY OF BISHOP- Each has supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power being talked

about cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff, Peter’s successor. It is composed of many members and is the expression of the variety and universality of the People of God.

3.) BISHOPS- They are the visible source and foundation of unity in their own particular churches. They

are assisted by the priests and deacons.

THE CHURCH SAYS…

Jesus Christ built the Church in three apostolic ways:

Jesus Christ grounded her permanently on the foundation of the apostles

She guards and transmits their teaching and witness; and

Continues to be instructed, sanctified and guided by the apostles through their successors.

DOING THE MESSAGE OF THE LESSON

Be aware of your task.

Accept tour task and love it.

Pray for the grace to do your task well.

Plan your task.

Execute your plan.

Offer your work to God.

Read the Bible and listen to the Gospel.

FIRMING UP THE MESSAGE OF THE LESSON

St. John Baptist de la Salle

He was born to a Catholic and very rich family in the town of Rheims, France on April 30, 1651.

At the age of 19, he entered the seminary and was ordained a Catholic priest eight years later.

He created a school for a free fee especially dedicated to poor children of the parish.

He died on Good Friday, April 7, 1719 and we celebrate his feast day on April 7.

He is now declared by the Pope as the patron saint of all Catholic schools and teachers.