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| Introduction & Background Information | What was the purpose of Vatican II's focus on the "Mystery of the Church" and on renewal? The Church examines what the Church is as Christ created it and what mission Christ gave it so that the Church can stay true to Christ's intent. |
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| 1 | Study Guide LG 1 | |
| Chapter 1 Commentary: Entering the Mystery | It is no coincidence that the chapter "Mystery of the Church" begins with a reminder of God's loving plan of salvation. From the very creation of mankind, God intended us to raise men to a participation of the divine life, to be His friends. |
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| 2 | Study Guide LG 2 | |
| Chapter 2 Commentary: the Real People of God | "The Church is the People of God" is perhaps the most trumpeted claim made by the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council. What does this statement mean? If we misunderstand this phrase, we lose sight of our history and our identity. |
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| 3 | Study Guide LG 3 | |
| Chapter 3 Commentary: the Hierarchy in Christ's Plan | Many people claim that the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is a human institution that was not in Christ's original plan, and in fact detracts from that plan. A careful look at Sacred Scripture and the writings of the Early Church Fathers shows that the Apostles understood their role to be the institution of a hierarchy. Such an examination also reveals that Christ has a good reason to include a hierarchical structure in His plan. |
| Chapter 3 Commentary: How the Hierarchy Functions | This article will cover some of the more logistic aspects of the hierarchical structure of the Church. We’ll take a quick look at the basics of infallibility, and then we’ll discuss the structures and positions of the hierarchy. |
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| 4 | Study Guide LG 4 | |
| Chapter 4 Commentary: Unique Role of the Laity | I am convinced that the greatest vocational crisis that the Church in America faces today is not the priest shortage. Rather, the vocational crisis we are facing is a crisis of the laity. |
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| 5 | Study Guide LG 5 | |
| Chapter 5 Commentary: What's the Big Deal About Holiness? | Why did the Council feel the need to devote an entire chapter of the Sacred Constitution on the Church to the idea of holiness? Why did the Church lose the truth that all of the followers of Christ are called to be holy? |
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| 6 | Study Guide LG 6 | |
| Chapter 6 Commentary: the Religious are Laity? | It surprises people to find out that members of religious orders are considered laity. Many people think of religious brothers and sisters as part of the Church hierarchy somewhere between the laity and the ordained. There can be no denying that religious orders have played a very significant and unique role in history and in the Church. Nevertheless, the vocation of those called to religious orders is in essence the same as the vocation of the laity. |
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| 7 | Study Guide LG 7 | |
| Chapter 7 Commentary: Apocalypse Now? | Many Catholics often get confused about the End Times. Who can blame them? Eschatology (the end of history) is a very common topic on Christian radio stations and in Christian literature. My own wife and mother-in-law have read the Left Behind series. I have heard parts of the radio series, and seen the first scene of the movie. It’s everywhere. Questions from Catholics are inevitable. Does the Catholic Church teach that about the End Times? Do we believe that some people will be taken up to Heaven while others remain on Earth to suffer through the millennium? Do we believe in the End Times? |
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| 8 | Study Guide LG 8 | |
| Commentary Chapter 8: What to Do with Mary? | Apparently, one of the debates at the Second Vatican Council (I would love to verify this) was whether to write a separate document about Mary or to include a discussion about Mary within the document on the Church. Why would the Council choose to stuff such a grand subject into a single chapter of a document? Actually, the position of this chapter on Mary says as much as a separate document could about her place in the “economy of salvation.” |