FRANCISCAN FRIARS (10:44) – Fr. Daniel J. Mahan, S.T.L., pastor of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Bloomington, Indiana, and St. Jude the Apostle in Spencer covers the entire Catechism in 111 videos, giving an outline of the content along with clear easy to follow explanations. The series is based on the 2nd Edition of the Catechism.

This Sunday’s Catechism Themes

“The following paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church resonate with the biblical readings for this Sunday. They were chosen either because they cite or allude to the specific readings, or because they treat topics found in the readings.”  —Homiletic Directory

CCC 668-677, 769: the final tribulation and Christ’s return in glory
CCC 451, 671, 1130, 1403, 2817: “Come, Lord Jesus!”
CCC 439, 496, 559, 2616: Jesus is the Son of David
CCC 207, 210-214, 270, 1062-1063: God is faithful and merciful

Featured Excerpts

Catechism of the Catholic Church. Order Hard Copy of the text in English and in Spanish. Excerpts courtesy of the Catechism search tool at Catholic Cross Reference,  a Catholic blog run by Jeff Pinyan.

Jesus Will Come Again in Glory

SISTER MAGDALENA (2:27) 

Jesus’ Second Coming

ASCENSION PRESENTS (5:54) – What will it be like for us when Christ comes again? Will it be a great surprise, or will it be more like an unwelcome Halloween scare? Father Mike Schmitz recommends getting to know Jesus well now, so that when he comes “like a thief in the night,” we will be ready.

Death and the Resurrection

CALLED TO MORE (41:09) – In this episode of ‘Colloquy’ Katie Ascough speaks to Dr. Scott Hahn about his new book — Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body. Join Katie and Dr. Hahn as they discuss everything from the Eucharist and the apocalypse, to our lives in Heaven and the practice of cremation.

The Meaning of Amen

THE RELIGION TEACHER (1:27) – At the end of each prayer, we say “Amen,” but what does this word “amen” mean? Amen means “so be it” or “it is so,” from the original Hebrew word meaning “truth” or “certainty.” Jesus Christ also uses the term to begin a statement of religious teaching as in “Amen, Amen, I say to you . . .” When we say amen at the end of a prayer it is an affirmation of “I believe.” By saying “I believe” at the end of the prayer, we mean two things: 1) I believe what I said was true. 2) I believe in God, who hears our prayers. Amen expresses our faithfulness in God through prayer and his promises. Catholics may read more about the meaning of Amen in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1061-1065. “Jesus Christ himself is the ‘Amen.’ He is the definitive ‘Amen’ of the Father’s love for us. He takes up and completes our ‘Amen’ to the Father: ‘For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God’: Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, God, for ever and ever. AMEN.” (CCC, 1065)

RCL Benziger

He Will Come Again in Glory

This formulation from our Profession of Faith (the Nicene Creed) provides a doctrinal focus for the scriptures from the liturgy of the First Sunday of Advent. The kingdom of God is, as one theologian wrote, “already…not yet.” In Jesus, the world has experienced the inauguration of the kingdom of God among us, although we believe that the fullness of that kingdom is something not yet experienced. We look forward to its final fulfillment at the end of time, when Christ comes again in glory.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church examines the doctrine of Christ’s return in several places and stresses several key points. Catholics do not believe that the fulfillment of the destiny of creation and human beings will be brought about by material progress or human activity alone (secularism), but by God. Catholics reject any attempts to predict the end of the world (millenarianism) or to lessen in any way our responsibility for stewardship of this present world based on a future second coming of Christ. Catholics believe that we meet the glorified Lord upon the event of our death, as well as when his fully glory is revealed to al the world at the end of time.

SOURCE: RCL BENZIGER Classroom Sessions Year C (2018-2019)

Lesson Plans (PDF)

Lesson segments: Opening Prayer, Life Reflection, Listening to the Word of God, Scripture Discussion Starters, Scripture Background, Questions for Deeper Reflection, Doctrinal Discussion Starters, and the Gospel in Life

Primary Session
Intermediate Session
Junior High Session

SOURCE: RCL BENZIGER Classroom Sessions Year B (2017-2018)

Doctrinal Discussion Starters

Our doctrinal focus for today the First Sunday of Advent comes from our Profession of Faith (Nicene Creed) which states that Christ will come again in glory. The kingdom of God that Jesus established on earth is here with us but it is not here completely. This is made evident wherever there is evil and suffering in the world. We look forward to the end of time, when Christ will come again in glory to put an end to all evil and suffering and bring the fullness of the kingdom of God on earth. Catholics reject any attempts to predict the Second Coming of Christ or the end of the world, as we know it.

During the season of Advent we look forward to the end of time when the reign of God will be fully established on earth. Catholics believe that we have a responsibility to work for justice and peace at the present time in cooperation with the grace of God in order to help bring about the kingdom of God.

• Where do you see signs that the kingdom of God is not yet fully established on earth?
• Where do you see signs that the kingdom of God is present on earth?
• How do you work for justice and peace in the world?

The Gospel in Life

Start a journal at home for the four weeks of Advent. Each day write a prayer or jot down a few words about how you are preparing for the coming of Jesus.

SOURCE: RCL BENZIGER Classroom Sessions Year B (2017-2018)

RCL Benziger

Textbook Series Correlations

Be My Disciples (PDF)

Blest Are We (PDF)