1

Lesson 2 Trinity: The Origin of the Church 1. The Mystery of the Church (Lumen Gentium 1) - Christ is the light of humanity. The light of Christ shines out to all man through the Church - The mission of the Church in the modern world is to be the sign and instrument of mans full unity in Christ - The Church as the Sacrament of Christ is a sign and instrument to bring reconciliation and communion with God and the unity among men 2. The Trinitarian Origin of the Church (Lumen Gentium 2-4) a. The Church is born of the Fathers love - God the Father, the creator of the whole universe, created man in His own image and likeness to share in His divine life - when man had fallen in Adam, God did not abandon them, but held out to them the means of salvation - when the time comes, all the just will be gathered with the Father in universal Church b. Jesus lays down the Churchs foundation - the Son came, sent by the Father, to restore all things - the origin and growth of the Church is symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of Christ - all men are called to this union with Christ c. The Spirit empowers the Church - the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost in order to sanctify the Church so that those who believe may have access through Christ, in one Spirit to the Father - dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful - guides the Church in the way of Truth and unifies her in Communion and in the works of ministry - bestows upon her varied hierarchic and charismatic gifts Hence the universal Church is seen to be "a people brought into unity from the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."(Lumen Gentium 4)
THY 2 / Ms. Rhaine Alonzo