*** USE ATTACHED FILES TO DO THE WORK***** SUMMARYY 1-6 IS WHAT EACH MODULE IS ABOUT PICK ONE SAINT AND COMPLETE POWER POINT Throughout this course, we have been reflecting on the meaning of b

What Does It Mean to Be a Catholic?

The love of God and neighbor combined with self-love constitutes Catholicism according to Jesus' response to an audience demanding a concise explanation while standing on one leg. A basic yet essential command shape the core values of Catholicism even though a full understanding of its meaning requires exploring the fundamental themes from the course. The eastern-theological philosophy of Catholicism delivers an abundant tale which handles the fundamental existential mysteries of life through its explorations of human eternity and God’s plan of divinity.

Module 1: The Desire for Eternal Life and the Existence of God

Module 1 examines human desires for everlasting life among its core themes immediately following the start of the spiritual journey. All humanity shares the common desire to achieve eternal life because one scribe asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” In his observations CS Lewis demonstrates that human beings have a yearning for eternity which proves our existence extends beyond physical realms to include spiritual realities. The human desire for eternal life guides individuals toward God since God remains their source of existence and true meaning. The First Module evaluates the rational basis for embracing faith in God through both philosophical proofs such as St. Thomas Aquinas’ Five Proofs and religious teachings. Reason enables us to understand God as the Creator and Final Cause but revelation adds personal knowledge about God's relationship with humanity according to the Compendium of the Catechism. (Ratzinger, 2010).

Module 2: The Meaning of Love and the Problem of Sin

The central subject of Module 2 explores what Jesus demanded when He said to love. According to Catholic teaching love surpasses emotions to become a behavior derived from God’s example of love. To Joseph Ratzinger Christian love requires divine kind of love we receive from God which remains unconditional even though loving becomes challenging. Through Genesis creation accounts God presents the world as His love-gift to humanity. Creation experiences disunity because of sin which Genesis 3 describes. The entry of sin generates three broken relationships: God’s relationship with humanity and between people and our internal communion with self. Turmoil exists in human life because we lack the capacity to love perfectly without divine help.

Module 3: The Christian Event and the Incarnation

Module 3 reveals the Christian event called the Incarnation as the answer to resolve the challenge presented in this predicament. According to Catholic teaching God sent Jesus Christ to walk among humanity as the divine solution for uniting people with divinity. According to John’s Gospel the eternal Word took human form to live among humanity (John 1:14). Jesus who exists as complete humanity together with divine nature provide complete love while healing the relationships damaged by sin. Jesus offers salvation by his living and dying and rising again so people can experience the complete kind of love which God intended for human beings. Through Incarnation God established an ongoing reality that changes our lives by compelling us to embody Jesus' identity. (Barr, 2003).

Module 4: Role of Holy Spirit in Catholicism

Module 4 focuses on the Holy Spirit and its role in the Church. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit appears many times, from the Annunciation to Jesus' baptism and throughout his ministry. Jesus promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit, also called the Advocate, would come after he left (John 14:26). In Acts 1:8, he tells them they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them. This happened at Pentecost when the disciples were filled with the Spirit and began preaching.

The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity, and continues to guide the Church today. The Compendium says the Spirit "builds, animates, and sanctifies the Church." Like the wind, we can’t see the Spirit, but we see its effects in people’s lives (John 3:8). The Holy Spirit gives the Church strength to carry out Jesus' mission in the world.

Module 5: Church connects people with Jesus.

Module 5 is all about how the Church helps people connect with Jesus, especially through the sacraments. Sacraments are real events where people meet Jesus, kind of like when you introduce your boyfriend or girlfriend to your family. They aren’t just ideas or feelings—they happen in real life. The Catholic Church has seven sacraments, split into three groups: Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), Healing (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick), and Service (Holy Orders, Matrimony). Baptism is the first and most important because it brings someone into the Church and connects them to Jesus. Confirmation builds on that by giving them the Holy Spirit in a stronger way. All sacraments happen in public worship, called liturgy, where people come together to pray and celebrate. Through the sacraments, the Church makes sure Jesus is still present and active in the world today.

Module 6: Catholic Social Teaching

Module 6 is all about where our choices lead—either to eternal love with God (heaven) or eternal separation from Him (hell). Morality isn’t just about rules; it’s about having a real relationship with God. The Beatitudes show us how to live a happy, meaningful life, and the 10 Commandments help protect our relationship with God, kinda like boundaries in friendships. Jesus didn’t get rid of the commandments—He fulfilled them by showing us how to live them out. True freedom isn’t doing whatever we want; it’s choosing what’s good. Catholic Social Teaching (CST) helps us live morally in society with four key principles: human dignity, common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity. In the end, Christian morality is about love—loving God and others. If we stay connected to God, follow Jesus’ example, and let the Holy Spirit guide us, we’ll find real happiness now and forever.

Conclusion

Catholicism is all about love, starting with the desire for eternal life and the journey of overcoming sin. It all leads to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who shows us how-to live-in harmony with God, others, and ourselves. Through both reason and revelation, the Catholic faith teaches that love is the key to salvation—loving God, loving others, and loving ourselves. The Holy Spirit plays a huge role in this journey, helping believers live out Jesus' mission. The sacraments, like Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, are ways to connect with Christ and receive His grace. Catholic Social Teaching also guides us to live morally, protect human dignity, and work for the common good. The Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments show us how to live a virtuous life, and true freedom comes from choosing what’s good and following Jesus' example. In the end, Catholicism teaches that love, just like Jesus showed us, leads to eternal happiness and a life of fulfillment with God.

References

Barr, S. M. (2003). Retelling the story of science. First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, 16-26.

Ratzinger, J. (2010). What it Means to be a Christian. Ignatius Press.