RCL Benziger Catalog 2017 | Page 35

In chapter 20 , Ways of Happiness , your child learned : → The Beatitudes are teachings of Jesus from his Sermon on the Mount that describe the attitudes and actions of people blessed by God . → Living the Beatitudes is the way to follow the Law of Love . Canonized saints are models of people who faithfully lived the Beatitudes .

→ Pope John XXIII is one example of this . He was a great proponent of creating a just society so that peace can reign in the world .

→ The spirit of joy comes from our knowledge of the love of God , the treasure kept in our hearts .

For more about related teachings of the Church , see the Catechism of the Catholic Church , 1716 – 1729 , 1812 – 1819 , 1830 – 1845 , 1965 – 2029 ; and the United States Catechism for Adults , pages 307 – 311 , 318 .

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Read this situation . Name the object , intention and circumstances . Then discuss the morality of the whole act with a partner .

Sarah and her teammates were playing in the championship game . in the fi nal minutes of the game , Sarah swept by the defender . as she kicked the ball trying to break the 0-0 score , she slipped on the wet grass , and the ball struck the goalkeeper in the face . Stunned from the fall , she looked toward the goal and saw the goalkeeper running toward her .

Object : kicked the ball intention : tried to score

Circumstances : wet grass , slipped , ball struck goalkeeper

Thinking about and evaluating our moral decisions is important . One way we do this is by examining our conscience .

Leader : Let us look into our hearts and think about the way we have loved or failed to love God and our neighbor as Jesus taught us .

All : Happy those who observe God ’ s decrees , who seek the Lord with all their heart .

PSALM 119:2

Leader : refl ect in silence after each question .

Reader : how have you kept God fi rst in your life ? ( Pause ) how have you shown respect to your parents and teachers ? ( Pause ) how have your words and actions shown respect for your body and the bodies of others ? ( Pause ) how have you been kind and helpful to other people ? ( Pause )

All : Happy those who observe God ’ s decrees , who seek the Lord with all their heart .

PSALM 119:2

There are two Gospel accounts of the Beatitudes . The Sermon on the Mount version is found in Matthew 5:3 – 12 . The Sermon on the Plains version is found in Luke 6:20 – 26 . Spend time breaking open the Word of God to let the light of the Gospel shine in your heart so your actions may be worthy of Christian living .

The Christian home and family is a school of discipleship . Choose one of the following activities to do as a family or design a similar activity of your own : → On occasion during family prayers , instead of reciting a traditional prayer read the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount .

→ When there is confl ict in the home , take time to pause to refl ect on the attitude in your heart . Then act seeing yourself and the other as children of God .

→ Randomly celebrate a “ Beatitude Day ” by marking the calendar as such . This celebration is choosing joy no matter what is happening throughout the day and letting the actions of the Beatitudes guide your choices . At the end of the day , discuss your experiences as a family .

Consider enacting the Works of Mercy as the way to act out the Beatitudes . Let the loving attitude in your heart guide you in offering to others God ’ s merciful love . For example , when you comfort people who suffer , do not attempt to rush them through their sadness . Simply stand with them and let them know you share their sorrow .

For more ideas on ways that your family can live as disciples of Jesus , visit

TO HELP YOU REMEMBER

1 . Sin is turning away from god and his love , freely choosing to do or say what we know is against god ’ s Law .

2 . The sources of morality are the object of the act , the intention of the agent , and the circumstances surrounding the act .

3 . Our conscience helps us to judge whether an act is good or evil .

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Prudence

This cardinal virtue is also referred to as wisdom . Saint Thomas Aquinas defined prudence as “ right reason in action .” With experience comes wisdom , and prudence is often the guide for growing in wisdom .

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In chapter 18 , Making Moral Choices , your child learned : → the Church guides us in making wise decisions to live as faithful followers of Jesus Christ . prudence is the cardinal virtue that helps us make good moral choices .

→ When we freely and knowingly choose an act that is evil , we sin ; we turn away from God and offend him .

→ these three things determine the morality of our actions : the object of the act , our intention in doing the act , and the circumstances surrounding the act .

→ a good conscience helps us to judge if an act is good or evil ; and guides us in avoiding evil and doing the good .

For more about related teachings of the Church , see the Catechism of the Catholic Church , 1750 – 1761 , 1776 – 1876 ; and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults , pages 311 – 321 .

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For the Hebrew people , proverbs were a source of wisdom . In this story , some contemporary students find value in the Proverbs too .

In honor of Saint John Bosco , who was known for mixing faith and fun , the boys at Don Bosco High School have a tradition in which they challenge each other by quoting Scripture while juggling . It keeps their minds sharp and their bodies coordinated . Plus , the fun is a nice distraction from the poverty and turmoil of their inner-city life . The one who lasts the longest is the “ new Don .” This respectful title means “ nobleman ” in Italian . A sense of brotherhood among the boys results from the challenge .

“ Yeah ! Dominic ! Get ready to call me Don Roberto !” shouted Robert . “ You are on !” Dominic hollered back . “ So you think you ’ ve got what it takes ?” Dominic said , ready to juggle .

Robert and Dominic squared up in front of each other , while other boys circled around them in anticipation of who would be first to drop out . They began to juggle , and Robert started quoting first since he was the challenger .

“ Proverbs 29:8 — Arrogant men set the city ablaze , but wise men calm the fury !” Robert said confidently . The crowd cheered . Still juggling , Dominic went next , “ Proverbs 16:8 — Better a little with virtue , than a large income with injustice .”

“ Proverbs 11:19 — Virtue directs toward life , but he who pursues evil does so to his death ,” Robert said , as he almost dropped a juggling ball . Dominic then moved closer to Robert saying , “ Proverbs 15:4 — A soothing tongue is a tree of life , but a perverse one crushes the spirit .” The crowd waited for Robert ’ s return .

Robert stood his ground saying , “ Proverbs 24:3 — By wisdom is a house built , by understanding is it made firm .” Just then , Dominic lost his balance , and the juggling balls scattered . Dominic was disappointed , but out he went over to Robert and said , “ Nice one , Don Roberto !”

Who helps you to make good moral choices ?

→ Spend one on one time with your children doing an

Spend time reading through activity they enjoy . Offer sections in the Book of proverbs bits of advice or “ kernels of with your child . Select proverbs wisdom ” to help them in life . together to memorize . Keep them both in your mind and your heart as you make daily choices in life . Discernment is vital to living a moral life and making our spiritual journey . an examination of conscience

The Christian home and is one traditional tool that family is a school of discipleship . facilitates our use of the spiritual

Choose one of the following discipline of discernment . In activities to do as a family or this chapter , your child used design a similar activity of an examination of conscience your own : as part of the closing prayer . → Discuss as a family how this Use this or another form of an

statement applies to making examination of conscience moral decisions :“ right is right every day . even if everyone is against it ; and wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it .”

For more ideas on ways that your family can live as disciples of Jesus , visit www . BeMyDisciples . com

A Additional background and teaching tips Every page brings greater confidence and creativity to catechesis .

B We Remember This section provides guidelines for leading children in a brief review of chapter content and a short Chapter Review activity .

C We Pray Lessons end as they begin — with prayer . This section provides instructions for leading prayers , and ideas for involving the students and enhancing their prayer experience .

D With My Family This section enables catechists to assist families in guiding faith formation at home .

E Three optional activities Enrich or extend the learning for each chapter .

Preview

F Catholic Social Teaching

→ Have students carefully tear-out the With My Family page along the perforation .

→

The last teaching box in each unit highlights

Encourage them to share the pages with their family and to complete the activities together home .

→ If the students did not or were

a principle of Catholic Social Teaching not able to complete that the Chapter

Review , encourage them to complete it with their family . was addressed . A related Enriching → Point out the chapter title and theme of next week ’ s lesson .

Visit www . BeMyDisciples . com

Lesson activity on the facing page reinforces

→ Take time with the students

to explore the many activities and resources available at this teaching for the children . www . BeMyDisciples . com .

Enriching the Lesson

Designing Proverb Bumper Stickers

E

→ Encourage especially them and their families to discover the many resources available at the Web site .

Before Moving On …

As you finish today ’ s lesson , reflect on the following question before moving on to the next chapter .

How well do I provide activities that honor the different learning styles in my class ?

With My Family

This Week ...

Chapter Review

Examination of Conscience

DISCOVER

B

TEACHING TIP

Best Response Extension . after students complete the Chapter review , invite the class as a whole to come up with other scenarios that present young people with situations where they need to make moral decisions about their actions . Invite volunteers to describe the situations to the class and then have a class discussion to identify the object , intention , and circumstance of each situation presented . In addition , discuss the morality of the act that the students present .

Sharing God ’ s Word

We Live as Disciples

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Our Spiritual Journey

See page 114 – 115

www . BeMyDisciples . com

Life and Dignity of the Human Person . All humans are created in the image and likeness of God and , therefore , all life is sacred . This is the source of our fundamental dignity as human persons . Every person ’ s basic dignity demands our respect . Because of this dignity , every human has fundamental human rights — a right to life , to the means to live a decent and healthy life , to meaningful work , and to freedom — within the limits required for the common good . Corresponding to these rights are responsibilities to one another . These rights and responsibilities exist side by side , and are not “ either-or ” choices . The young people reviewed concepts related to this principle in Chapter 17 , where they learned more about the gift of God ’ s abundant grace ; in Chapter 19 , where they learned the Golden Rule ; and in Chapter 20 , which reinforced the proper behaviors toward those who are most in need of being treated with dignity . Use the last activity on the next page to reinforce this teaching .

A

D

EXPLORE

Introduce

→ Ask the students who they consider to be wise . Explain the good advice of wise people is often passed on through generations . The wisdom of the Israelites was handed on in proverbs .

→ Explain that wisdom is more than abstract ideas . Wisdom often comes as result of practical experience . Read the Disciple Power feature and point out the connection between prudence and wisdom .

→ Explain that Saint John Bosco helped youth who lived in poverty by teaching them how to make good moral decisions .

→ Ask volunteers to do a dramatic reading of the text . Serve as the narrator yourself . Explain that the high school boys are living out the values of St . John Bosco : reason , religion , and kindness .

Reinforce

Remind the class that the proverbs are part of the Wisdom books of the Old Testament . Encourage them to memorize proverbs that can guide their lives .

Connect

→ Invite the students to list people in their lives whom

CONCLUDE they can turn to for good advice .

→ Emphasize that the Church guides We Remember

us in making good moral decisions .

→ Introduce and explain the Chapter

→ Discuss what good advice they have Review .

been given that helped them make

→ Read good the moral decisions dilemma . to the class . Have each student write the object , intention and circumstances on a separate sheet of paper .

→ Invite the whole class to discuss what they wrote . Provide the correct answers making sure each student understands the correct responses . Have the students write the 268 correct Student answers in page their 164 books .

→ Review key points from the chapter using statements in the To Help You Remember section .

We Pray

→ Gather the students for the closing prayer . Introduce the prayer by reviewing an examination of conscience . Recall the last one in Chapter 13 .

→ Select a leader and a reader and offer them a moment to prepare .

→ Together pray beginning and ending with the Sign of the Cross .

→ Encourage the young people to memorize the psalm verse and to include it in daily prayer .

C

Disciple Power

Mixing Faith and Fun

DISCIPLE POWER

Prudence . Invite the students to think about some of the life lessons they have learned since they were in kindergarten . For example : if you want a pet you must take care of it ; if you want to make good grades , you must study hard ; it ’ s important to give everyone on the team a chance to play in the game . explain that as we learn these life lessons , we are growing in wisdom . prudence is putting that wisdom into action . For example , we may know that in order to be a good piano player we must practice often . But , if we don ’ t put that knowledge to work — if we never practice — we will not become a good piano player . In the same way , we might memorize the ten Commandments or the Works of Mercy . emphasize that if we never put God ’ s Commandments into action , we have not grown in prudence and wisdom .

Before Moving On …

F

C

Catholic Social Teaching : Living the Beatitudes

Creating Conscience Cartoons

298 Student page 186

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Purpose Directions Materials

To reinforce that our conscience guides us to judge what is right and what is wrong ( taught on page 166 )

→ Have the students work with partners to create cartoon-like illustrations with four frames illustrating characters listening to their conscience as they face and resolve a moral dilemma .

→ Have the students illustrate their cartoons and share them with the class .

→ Mount all the cartoons on mural paper and display them where others can enjoy and learn from them . art paper

fi ne point markers and pens

mural paper

View a free sample at

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DETAILS

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