CONCLUDING HAND-OUT (MIDTERMS)  Background: The central metaphor he used is
ADDITIONAL FACTS ON THE NEVI’IM
(PROPHETS) AND KETUVIM (WRITINGS)
 A catechism used as a basis to contextualize
the teachings of the church in the Philippine setting.
NEVI’IM (PROPHETS)
1. ISAIAH
 Meaning of Name: “Yahweh saves.”
 Background: His book shows a deep
understanding of God’s law as it relates to the
history of God’s chosen people
 General Theme of Message: Fidelity and
trust
- “I will never forget you. I will not leave you
orphaned.”
2. JEREMIAH
 Meaning of Name: “Yahweh hurls or
Yahweh founds”
 Background: He supported the reform
initiated by King Josiah
- He is the son of Hikiah of a priestly family in
Anathoth in the land of Benjamin
 General Theme of Message: God will write
the law in the hearts of the people
- God cares for all people
3. AMOS
 Meaning of Name: “strong; brave”
 Background: He was called by Yahweh to
preach against the people’s abuse of privilege and
the corruption of justice committed by the rich and
powerful
- He was a shepherd from Tekoa in Judah
 General Theme of Message: Justice and
Righteousness
- God will restore the Temple of Zion
- God will hold accountable those who oppress the
poor
4. HOSEA
 Meaning of Name: “Savior/Salvation”
his very own marriage as the symbolic representation
of the relationship between Yahweh and Israel
- Gomer, the wife of Hosea, represents the
unfaithfulness of Israel to Yahweh.
- He lived and prophesied during the difficult years of
the Northern Kingdom as characterized by violence,
warfare and loss of life.
 General Theme of Message: “Come back to
me with your heart” God loves people despite their
unworthiness.
- The knowledge of God involves concern and
responsiveness for others
5. JONAH
 Meaning of Name: In Hebrew it means
“dove”
 Background: - He hesitated to respond to the
prophetic call and bluntly refused to obey
- A disobedient prophet who attempted to run away
from his divine commission.
 General Theme of Message: Mercy and
Compassion of God
KETUVIM (WRITINGS)
JOB
 This book focuses on the story of a good man
who suffers total disaster – he loses all his children
and property and is afflicted with a repulsive disease
 It is a virtue dominant in the Ketuvim that
leads people to the right path, allows people to learn
what pleases Him, and keeps the people safe.
ECCLESIASTES
 In the book of Ecclesiastes, the reality of death
destroys all illusions of individuals who forget the
lack of meaning of life
 This book in the Ketuvim looks at all aspects
of human condition, one after the other, beginning
from the surest, death.
PSALMS
 It is known in Hebrew as the “Book of
Praises”
 This book talks about the image of God as a
shepherd (Psalm 23)
WISDOM
 Adam was described in this book as the Father
of the world, the first man that was ever formed
whom Wisdom protected. (Wisdom 10:1-2)
 Cain was an unrighteous man who abandoned
wisdom by killing his brother in a fit of anger
(Wisdom 10:3)
Chapter 2:
God, the Son, journeys with His people
This chapter deals with the journey of God, the Son
with his people, Jesus – the fullness of God’s
revelation. The analogy of Jesus, the new Adam who
saved human race through his death and resurrection
thereby making right what was destroyed by the first
Adam will be discussed. Mary’s total yes to God
exemplified her great faith and trust in God brought
the Saviour Jesus. Jesus’ public ministry further
manifests his presence in the life of his disciples
throughout his life.
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Lesson 1: Mary, Mother of Jesus
Inspired Word
Luke 1: 26-38
The savior is expected and welcomed by a mother: a
young girl freely and knowingly accepts her role as
servant of the Lord and became the mother of God.
“The power of the Most High…” By using this image
the Gospel conveys that Mary becomes God’s
dwelling place, through whom he works out his
mysteries.
God does not usually communicate with his great
saints and prophets through visions. Everything
occurs in an intimate encounter from person to
person the holy spirit of his servants that give the
total response which God expects.
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Church Teaching
Church Document: Cathecism of the Catholic Church
(CCC), Cathecism for the Filipino Catholics (CFC),
The Second Pontifical Council of the Philippines
(PCP II)
The Blessed Virgin Mary most perfectly embodies the
obedience of faith. By faith Mary welcome the tiding
and promise brought by the Angel Gabriel, believing
that “with God nothing will be impossible” and so
giving her assent: “Behold I am the handmaid of the
Lord, let it done to me according to your word.” It is
because of this faith that all generations have called
Mary blessed. (CCC148)
Mary perfectly exemplified the common definitions
of faith as “full submission of the intellect and the
will” and the “obedience of faith.” (CFC156)
Mary was not only the first to evangelized, to receive
the good news. She is also the first evangelizer. (PCP
II 2)
In the words of the New National Catechetical
directory for the Philippines (NNCDP), Mary’s
response of faith, as can be glimpsed from
Scriptures, is a picture of a complete integration of
that “perfect cooperation with the grace of God that
precedes and assists” and that perfect openness to the
action of the Spirit, who constantly brings faith to
completion his gifts. In living her fiat, her total yes
to God, in all the realities of ordinary, daily living; in
family crisis; in moment of uncertainties and
inability to understand; and in times of distress,
worry, anguish and suffering, Mary becomes in a
personal way, the “exemplar of faith” for the
Filipinos. She is not only the icon of the fulfillment
of their prayers and hopes but also the mother who
identifies with them, understands their problems, and
cares for them. (204)
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Missionary Response
Like Mary, the model of faith, we emulate her
simplicity, humility and great faith so that we can
entrust ourselves to the Lord as she did. We can do
this by being contented with what we have and do
not demand much from your parents. We can also
make our faith grow and bear fruit.
1. To deepen our understanding of Christ’s message,
we need to read our bibles and listen to the homilies
during the mass.
2. To grow in faith, we need to love and this love
should be translated to charity. This charity need not
to be grand but could start in our homes. While at
home we can do our share in the day-to-day chores
in order to ease our parents. In school, take care of
the property of the school like your own.
3. Just as our body needs nourishment to grow and be
healthy, we need to nourish our faith life. Take time
to visit the chapel and pray but more importantly
participate in the celebration of the sacraments most
especially the Holy Eucharist.
Chapter 2:
God, the Son, journeys with His people
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Lesson 2: John the Baptist
Inspired Word
John 1: 19-34
John the Baptist presents Jesus as the Lamb of God.
In the language of the Jews, the word “lamb” can
mean both the servant and the lamb. Jesus is the
servant of God announced by the prophets, who was
the sacrifice himself for his brothers and sisters. He
is also the true Lamb that replaces the Paschal Lamb.
In history, Jesus appears after John, but being the
Word of God, he existed before all creatures. He also
goes ahead of all including John the Baptist.
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Church Teaching
Church Document: Catechism of the Catholic
Church (CCC)
John’s sole purpose is to prepare the people to receive
the “One more powerful than I” (Mt. 3:11). This
powerful one will not only announce but make
present the kingdom of heaven. The message of John
announces a new intervention of God in the history
of the people. It invites the Israelites to accept the
prophetic manifestation of God’s will.
The CCC speaks of John the Baptist as the Lord’s
immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare
His way. Prophet of the Most High, John surpasses
all the prophets, of whom he is the last. He
inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother’s
womb, welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices
in being the “friend of the bridegroom,” whom he
points out as the “Lamb of God who takes away the
sins of the world”. Going before Jesus “in the spirit
of Elijah”, John bears witness to Christ in his
preaching, by His Baptism of conversion, and
through his martyrdom. (523)
When the church celebrates the liturgy of Advent
each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy
of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation
for the savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their
ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating
the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church
unites herself to his desire: “He must increase, but I
must decrease.” (Lk 1:17) (524)
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Missionary Response
John the Baptist was a man of humility and man of
courage. He leads people to the true light, Jesus
Christ. We can be witnesses to God like John the
Baptist and introduce Jesus to the people as he did
through the following:

1. Our willingness to listen to others and accept their

opinions instead of insisting our opinions.

2. Appreciating our God-given talents and use them in

the service of others.

3. Correcting a friend in the bad things he/she does

even if it breeds animosity.

4. Follow the example of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first

Filipino martyr, to stand firm for our faith when
indoctrinated by other faith.

5. Encourage our friends to go to Jesus through our

good prayer life.